2.07.2007

Not to drink the Kool-Aid, but ...

How about those Blackhawks!

I am a realist -- the Chicago Blackhawks are not making the playoffs this season -- but given what they've done in their last two games, they could make things interesting and play spoiler over the final couple months of the regular season.

In two nights, Chicago has beaten the top two teams in the Northwest Division. Martin Havlat scored twice in the final 3 minutes of regulation and added a shootout goal in a 3-2 win over Calgary on Tuesday.

They followed that with a 3-0 win over the Canucks on Wednesday, the Blackhawks' first win in Vancouver since October 2001 to snap an eight-game losing streak there. Havlat had a goal and assist, and Patrick Lalime -- out all season following back surgery and coming off a four-win season with St. Louis in 2005-06 -- made 34 saves for his first shutout in nearly three years.

Chicago continues its season-high seven-game road trip Friday at Edmonton before facing Columbus and Pittsburgh. The Blackhawks return to the United Center next Friday versus the Canucks ... and yes, I'll be there.

Maybe it's time to buy that Tony Esposito jersey after all.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

WHAT, a positive Blackhawks piece and no mention of Kukkonen? He's a boon to steak-eaters everywhere!