NEWSLETTER
The jokes were flowing on Twitter about the Blackhawks not scoring an even-strength goal in seven periods to start the new season. But the dam broke in the second period on Saturday night. Chicago scored three goals in a period for the first time this year and added on in the third period to earn their first win of the year — a significant achievement for one individual behind the bench.
Star 1: No. 24
Before the game it was all about Blackhawks legend and Hockey Hall of Famer Doug Wilson as the Sharks put a banner in the rafters at SAP Center in honor of his place in their franchise history. After the ceremony, at least one person took note of the jersey number Wilson wore in Chicago…
And, in the second period, the guy currently wearing Wilson’s number had himself a period. Sam Lafferty scored two short-handed goals in a span of about 130 seconds. After the penalty kill was a dumpster fire in the first game in Colorado, it stepped up and killed all three against Vegas and now scored two short-handed goals in San Jose. That’s one helluvan improvement in four days!
Star 2: The Captain
I noted after the first game in Denver that this is the first season in the Hall of Fame career of Jonathan Toews that he scored the first goal of the new campaign for the Blackhawks. That goal came on the power play. So, naturally, Toews scored the Blackhawks’ first even-strength goal of the season tonight in the second period.
The Hawks needed a spark after a sluggish first period and the Toews goal did the trick. Toews also won half of his team-leading 18 faceoffs and was credited with three shots on net.
Star 3: Luke Richardson
I’ll be honest: Dickinson should be here because he had a marvelous start to his time with the Blackhawks (a goal and two helpers). But I’m giving the stick tap/tip of the cap to Richardson for picking up his first victory as a head coach in the NHL. The way the team is playing for him right now is a breath of fresh air after watching guys go through the motions while Jeremy Colliton sat on his ivory tower behind the bench.
