Hawks looking scary good with Hossa added to mix
ANAHEIM, Calif. - Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville summed up Wednesday night at HP Pavilion most appropriately.
"It was a special game in a lot of ways," Quenneville said.
It was that, and then some - a special night for what is looking to be a special team.
Not only did the Hawks dismantle the Western Conference-leading San Jose Sharks 7-2 for their eighth straight win, Marian Hossa showed off his dazzling skills with 2 goals in his debut.
Hossa's first goal was one of 3 short-handed tallies by the Hawks, which tied a club record.
Now the Hawks can tie another franchise mark today against the Ducks with a ninth straight victory at the Honda Center.
"We're just focusing on doing the right things and playing the way we're told to play," defenseman Duncan Keith said. "Of course, it helps having Hossa in the lineup."
No fooling.
Hossa scored 2 goals, killed penalties, played on the power play and was a formidable presence every time he was on the ice.
Hossa's short-handed goal in the second period made it 2-0 and came on a breakaway. He buried the shot with a flick of the wrists, showing why he is one of the game's premier goal scorers.
"He's one of the top guys on breakaways and is going to be a shootout guy for us as well," Hawks coach Joel Quenneville said. "It was a good start to his Blackhawk career. Top guys can make and see plays and with that line, we look forward to seeing how they can be productive together."
It looked as if Hossa and linemates Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane had played together for years. Right from the first shift they dominated in the San Jose zone with puck possession.
"I think he felt pretty comfortable getting right in there," Toews said. "I just told him to get open and handle the puck, but I don't have to give him tips on how to play the game. It was nice to see him score and get that confidence right away.
"With Kaner and I, we felt we were playing pretty good together. For him to come out and play with us, whenever we needed an out he was there. He not only kept the puck alive but made some great plays in the offensive zone."
Quenneville had no hesitation about using Hossa as a penalty killer. In fact, Hossa helped set up his short-handed goal by breaking up a play inside his own blue line, then working a give-and-go with Toews.
"It was nice to see Hoss contribute in a meaningful way," Quenneville said. "His penalty killing got everything going for us."
Hossa played almost 17 minutes and can only expect his ice time to go up.
"He'll be absorbing time 5-on-5, PP, 4-on-4, PK, last minute of games and periods," Quenneville joked.
It's scary to think the Hawks have added a superstar goal scorer to what was already one of the most dangerous, entertaining and high-flying groups of forwards in the NHL.
"Us d-men back there, we're just trying to do our best to get them the puck," Keith said. "They're so skilled, just let them do their thing. It's nice being on a team like that where you just worry about your job and playing defense."
<p class="factboxheadblack">Blackhawks game day</p> <p class="News">Anaheim Ducks at the Honda Center, 3 p.m.</p> <p class="News"><b>TV:</b> Comcast SportsNet</p> <p class="News"><b>Radio:</b> WGN 720-AM</p> <p class="News"><b>What to watch:</b> The Hawks are looking to tie the franchise record they set last season with their ninth straight win. They are 4-0 on their six-game road trip and have outscored their opponents 20-5. Anaheim has won three of its last four.</p> <p class="News"><b>Season series:</b> The Hawks and Ducks have yet to meet. The Hawks won the season series last year 3-1.</p> <p class="News"><b>Next:</b> Los Angeles Kings at Staples Center, 9:30 p.m. Saturday</p> <div class="infoBox"> <h1>More Coverage</h1> <div class="infoBoxContent"> <div class="infoArea"> <h2>Stories</h2> <ul class="links"> <li><a href="/story/?id=340041">In his debut, Hossa clicks quickly with Toews, Kane<span class="date"> [11/27/09]</span></a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div>