Game Review: Blackhawks win it in OT over Kings

The fact that Chicago pulled 2 points out tonight is amazing. All of the numbers point in the direction of a likely Kings win. Shots, chances, face offs, and zone time all in favor of LA. The Hawks defenseman had some turnover issues tonight as well. Still, the Blackhawks never gave up and eventually would pull off a dramatic OT win.

I'd be remissed if I didn't first acknowledge the wonderful moment in the pregame for the NHL's Hockey Fights Cancer initiative. It was a great sight to see Troy Murray out there and giving these courageous children just a moment to participate on the ice with the Hawks. I thought the entire event was very well done.

The Blackhawks started really slow tonight and didn't get their first shot on goal until 8:46 into the match. Honestly, other than a quick wrestling match between Lemieux and Khaira there wasn't much to watch in the 1st period.

The 2nd period was all about Chicago's 3rd line and with 7:06 remaining they get rewarded. A shot from distance by Caleb Jones gets a perfectly timed re-direct from Jason Dickinson to sneak past Jonathan Quick's left pad.

Ok, here is my Roos report. Some good, some bad tonight. With 4:48 left in the 2nd he made a very veteran play on Viktor Arvidsson. There was a 50/50 puck going into the boards where instead of playing the puck, Roos actually used body position to gain possession of the puck. It's a small play, but definitely an encouraging sign.

Moments later the Kings would tie it up with a bad pick up by Roos and Jones whom were both caught flat footed in center ice. 1-1 going into the 3rd which ended up being just about on par with the 1st period in terms of play. Chicago's goalie Arvid Soderblom had solid positioning the entire game and thusly cut all of LA's chances short before they could get better looks.

In OT, the captain wins it with a great cross-crease pass from Jake McCabe. Toews extends his point streak to 7 games. He now has 7 goals in 11 games after having 12 in 71 matches last season. The production is a welcome surprise from the 15 year veteran.

Arvid Soderblom picks up his first NHL win and continues to impress. Chicago's rookie goalie stopped 32 of 33 LA shots and looked poised and calm all night between the pipes. The Hawks will travel to Winnipeg to take on the Jets in a Saturday matinee for their next outing.