[A] Top Line Magic: CHI 4, SJS 3

[Ton]

Antti Niemi and the San Jose Sharks couldn't handle the potent offense of the Chicago Blackhawks this time around.



The Blackhawks peppered Niemi with 40 shots, scoring on 4 of them with plenty of production from the top 2 lines.



Dave Bolland continued his recent success and got the Blackhawks rolling with the first goal of the game and Viktor Stalberg followed up with a tally of his own shortly after to give the Hawks a 2-0 lead.



Despite the dominating offensive performance, the 2nd period set the Blackhawks back as Joe Pavelski and Jamie McGinn struck quickly to even the score 2-2. But, mid-way through the middle frame Stalberg and Kane connected with Jonathan Toews to put the Blackhawks in the drivers seat once again.



It was good to see Kane get on the scoresheet with Antti Niemi robbing him of several chances throughout the night.



In the 3rd period, Andrew Shaw netted his 4th goal of the year, showing no fear in driving to the net, which stood as the game winner with Tommy Wingels striking for the Sharks late in the game but it wasn't enough to mount the comeback. Corey Crawford did not have to be spectacular but prevailed in the end due to the overwhelming offense provided by the Blackhawks.



The unit of Stalberg, Toews and Kane had another successful night and it's quite clear the chemistry between the three is strong enough to provide a consistent threat on every shift.



"It was probably the best game we've had," Stalberg said. "We've got a little more confidence. ... I don't know if they had a shot against us on a shift, and we had chances every shift."



Stalberg is shattering his career-high totals and only 10 points away from matching all his NHL point totals prior to this season.



BLACKHAWKS THREE STARS OF THE GAME



1. Jonathan Toews

2. Viktor Stalberg

3. Andrew Shaw



Click here to view the article

 

[the canadian dream]

Continue to love what I see from Shaw and Hayes. Shaw tonight showed what it means to drive to the net and to keep skating hard. Solid game for the kid and that goal he scored was nice nice nice.



Hawks overall looked good for a team that had a back to back. San Jose had the back to back also but it really looked like the hawks were the better conditioned team.



Really getting tired of the embelishments in the league. Why aren't officials calling them anymore? Could have cost the Hawks the game tonight that late embelishment by the Sharks. Was a penalty on Hammer but for christ sakes you gotta call the embelishment also. What is this Italian League soccer?



Didn't like the two quick goals by the Sharks in the 2nd period. One was on account of poor defense down low and the other one can be pinned on Crawford. Nice to overcome that though it could have been a huge momentum shift.



Kane skated good tonight. Rewarded with an assist and it has probably been his best game the last 4 or 5. Nice move by Toews to give him a pat after Niemi robbed him. The captain knows when a team mate is struggling and may be getting frustrated. I liked Kanes game tonight. Should be a positive sign moving into the new week.



Stalberg is the best $900.000 player in the league by far. 14 damn goals? Bargain. I really like how he plays with Toews on that lw side.



Not a special teams filled game tonight. I also like that. Made for a pretty decent hockey game over all.



Good 2 points.

 

[xatruio]

yeah that dive was pretty god awful... ever since the lockout and the players getting used to the new VERTICLE STICK penalty (i remember laughing so hard when i heard the first new call of hooking back then... good lord) it is becoing too much like FIFA



dont get me wrong i love soccer and there is a place for diving in there, but not in hockey.

 

[the canadian dream]

Yah I like it in soccer also. Otherwise I wouldn't be a Juventus fan lol.



I don't mind selling a penalty here and there in hockey but I do not like how some do it. The "I have just been shot in the chest" dive just drives me crazy. I can see how officials could get frustrated by it all. But if you want to end some of it then start calling it. The rules in the books. Not sure why they have decided to stop calling the obvious ones.

 

[CLWolf81]

yeah that dive was pretty god awful... ever since the lockout and the players getting used to the new VERTICLE STICK penalty (i remember laughing so hard when i heard the first new call of hooking back then... good lord) it is becoing too much like FIFA



dont get me wrong i love soccer and there is a place for diving in there, but not in hockey.

It was a rookie doing that dive, LOL



What I find funny is the fact the refs didn't catch that one... lol

 

[Samurai]

After watching Andrew Shaw's goal a few times, I think he might have a well hidden figure skating past...Discuss.

Or not.

 

[LordKOTL]

Stalberg making me eat crow. This is a good thing.



Only one of those goals could be pinned on Dr. Craw. The rest were shaky team D. As ong as we keep the Attack mentality and no lead is too big to be blown, we should be fine.



Niemi easily had the save of the month.



The rookies are looking very good.



Bickell *actually* hit someone.



It was a good win--let's hope we can keep it up.