The Morning After… Blackhawks vs. Rangers 2/17

Posted By on February 18, 2016

Three Stars:

  1. Artemi Panarin, 3 G
  2. Tuevo Teravainen, 2 A
  3. Andrew Shaw, 1 G

Well that was a game. We can’t decide if we want to be on a losing streak or on a winning streak and the second line is still the best in hockey. Panarin continues to be the most dominant rookie in hockey and Shaw continues to be a first liner. Let’s get into it.

First, let me rant. This will be a much better article if I do it now. If you don’t like all caps please move along, we’ll see you in a few moments. Bear with us. ANDREW SHAW IS A FIRST LINER. ANDREW LADD IS NOT. STOP ACTING AS IF THE OPPOSITE IS TRUE. WE’VE WON THREE CUPS, GIVE Q SOME CREDIT. HE WOULDN’T HAVE MADE SHAW A FIRST LINER IF HE DIDN’T THINK IT THE BEST THING TO DO. LADD IS AN OLD, WORSE SHAW. SHAW IS ON PACE FOR A FOURTY GAME SEASON, AND IS THE HEART OF THIS TEAM. STOP DOUBTING HIM. I SWEAR TO GOD IF I READ ONE MORE “SHAW IS OUR WORST FIRST LINER” COMMENT ONLINE I WILL LEAVE THIS FAN BASE TO ONE WHO WOULD APPRECIATE A SHAW (AKA MONTREAL – GALLAGHER IS SHAW GIVEN THE FIRST LINE ROLE PERMANENTLY). SHAW IS NOT THE PROBLEM WITH THE FIRST LINE AND IT’S TIME WE ALL ADMIT WHAT IS – HOSSA IS NOT THE SAME PLAYER ANYMORE. TOEWS ISN’T A POINTS SCORER. THERE, WE SAID IT.

Wow, sorry about that. Let’s move on to a crucial win, shall we?

The Blackhawks beat the Rangers off Baby Pan Pan’s first career hat trick – one of hopefully many in Chicago. Shaw and Desjardins added goals, showing that shut down dominance can also be translated into scoring.

The Power Play scored three times – all from Panarin. The second line has never left BeastMode, and the fact this line could continue well into the future is unfair for the league. 14 of the Hawks players are making under a million, and the fact we can still be this good with that much turnover… we’re just a dominant team. What I’m saying is, trust in Bowman. He’s the best GM for this team.

After a down night, Keith played 26 last night. The fact Q trusts Svedberg more than Gustafsson is a little worrying (20 TOI vs. 13) but as long as there remains one prospect he’s willing to develop the Blackhawks D has a future.

We had too few shots on goal again. We succeeded despite of it, but it needs to change and fast because we’ll need more than 20 SOG in the playoffs.