Showing Signs Of Life

First and foremost, a big thumbs-up to Brad Richards. Number 91 scored his 900th point in the win Thursday night against the Arizona Dingo-Ate-My-Babys out in Glendale. And his dad was in the stands for it, which is pretty cool. Richards has run very hot and cold (and even colder) this year, but still knows how to be clutch every now and then in a supporting role. Nine hundred points is a great milestone and I’m still glad he’s wearing the Indian Head this season. He managed the feat in his 1,046th game.

So. About that game.

Bryan Bickell was back, which was nice. The Blackhawks’ dads were all in attendance for the game, which was a homecoming for Antoine Vermette. As recently as two weeks ago he was wearing the #50 sweater for Arizona and now he was suited up for the enemy. The crowd kicked up the energy after the ‘Yotes went 5-hole on Crawford in the first handful of minutes to grab and early lead. Andrew Shaw scored on a Power Play…

…hang on. Let me type those words again. I don’t get to do it very often…

…scored on the Power Play to tie it up.

Then came an excellent opportunity to grab the lead after a high stick on Joakim Nordstrom that left the Swede bloody. For four minutes the Blackhawks stormed onto the ice and laid the giant egg its been dropping for most of the year (with the exception of a nice shot from Jonathon Toews that was turned away.)

Brad Richards was in the right place at the right time in the third period, firing in a rebound that was the difference in the game. It was his first goal in two months. Saying he was due is like saying water is wet. Also…it was a Power Play Goal. A Power Play Goal. Two in one game.

The team is 40-21-6 heading into the weekend. They’re five points back from the top of the Western Conference. It’s worth pointing out that the top spot is a three-way tie at this point between St. Louis, Nashville, and Anaheim. Even with the level of lackluster play the Blackhawks have delivered of late, they’re very much in the hunt and looking to the second season with some grit.

Amusingly enough, there is also a three-way tie atop the East between the Rangers, Habs, and Lightning. And all six first-place teams have 91 points heading into Friday night’s action. Odd symmetry.

What do the Blackhawks need to do to catapult themselves back into front of the Stanley Cup conversation? That Power Play, for starters, is a mess. It tallied two goals Thursday night, sure, but it’s still a Baby Had Strained Beets And It’s Time To Change The Diaper kind-of mess. Adjustments have to be made to the unit. Kimmo Timonen, methinks, would be a nice adjustment there. If he’s in game shape, shouldn’t he also be in PP shape? Speaking as a fan: More #44, please.

That said, we’re getting at the goal again. If Darth Smith, the evil Sith Lord Goalie of the Coyotes, had been a bit more mortal Thursday night the score would have easily been 5-1 or 6-1. Yes they’re showing more heart. They need to keep pumping that up, especially when they’re down one of the best players in the NHL right now.

What else to watch in the West: There’s quite a battle brewing between the Kings and Jets these days for the 8th Seed. Worth keeping an eye on.

Next up: A Saturday afternoon in San Jose (a homecoming for Andrew Desjardins). A Tuesday night at home with the very strong New York Islanders, and then a road trip to The Big Apple the following night to take on the equally tough Rangers.

Go Hawks!

– T

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