Zawaski's Shorties: Hawks Win Snoozefest In New Jersey
By Jay Zawaski--
(CBS) -- On Tuesday night, the Blackhawks needed the shootout to take a 3-2 win from the New Jersey Dezzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. Oh. Sorry. I nodded off again.
In typical Devils fashion, the game was anything but exciting. The injury-plagued Devils clogged the neutral zone and grinded the game away. Fortunately for the Blackhawks, Duncan Keith was able to beat rookie goalie Keith Kinkaid (who was making his first career start) with just more than three minutes remaining to force overtime. As is tradition, Patrick Kane was the difference in the shootout as the Hawks took their seventh consecutive victory. With the Boston Bruins and surprising New York Islanders coming up later in the week, these two ugly points could prove very important for Chicago.
Now to the shorties…
"Jaromirror Jagwire" – Devils forward Jaromir Jagr is old. How old is Jaromir Jagr? Jaromir Jagr is so old that Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville was playing for the Washington Capitals against Jagr in his NHL debut (thanks to Christopher Kamka for that little nugget). Jagr is a shadow of his former self, but even at age 42, he still displays flashes of brilliance like he did in overtime tonight. No matter how you feel about his overall game, take in his final moments in the league. He's the last remaining piece from the era that made many of us fall in love with the game.
Sharp as he ever was – Any fears of lingering knee issues for Blackhawks winger Patrick Sharp were quickly dashed. He showed his trademark speed and, more importantly, his explosive burst. He got to top speed quickly and showed no signs of laboring at all. We'll see how the knee holds up over the next few games, but so far, so good. I do think it's a matter of time before Sharp reclaims his spot on the top line with Jonathan Toews and Marian Hossa. Brandon Saad has been pretty solid, but I think Sharp is a better fit in a role where he can focus more of his game on offense. To my recollection, he also hadn't played right wing with the Blackhawks until Tuesday night. I have no problem easing him back into the lineup like Quennville did, but the change is coming -- and probably sooner than later.
No Mor-in? – Embattled Hawks winger Jeremy Morin was sent to Rockford on Tuesday. The press release attributed the demotion to a "conditioning assignment." The truth is that the Hawks have no intentions of playing him, especially with his reported "play me or trade me" request. At this point, I think a trade is best for Morin. Yes, he has plenty of offensive upside, but the fact remains that he has exactly zero points this season and isn't going to crack the top six. Daniel Carcillo and Joakim Nordstrom have been solid contributors to the bottom six. Quenneville never liked Morin's game. Once Carcillo and Nordstrom gave him what he was looking for, the kid never had a chance.
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On Wednesday, Dec. 17, join Blackhawks goalie Antti Raanta and me at Cork and Kerry (10614 S. Western Ave. in Chicago) for a Bud Light "On the Glass" event. Raanta will partake in a Q&A and sign autographs. Fans can register to win a pair of Blackhawks tickets to a game in the Bud Light Legend's Lounge (must be 21 to enter). The event begins at 7 p.m. We hope to see you there.