Blackhawks’ top line solid in playoff opener
GLENDALE, Ariz. — As the old song goes, reunited and it’s not too bad, or something like that.
For Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews and Marian Hossa, that was certainly the case in the first game of their comeback tour Wednesday night in Game 1.
The top line was involved in both Blackhawks goals in the 3-2 overtime loss. Toews opened the scoring with his first goal on his first shot and later assisted on Brent Seabrook’s game-tying goal with 14 seconds left in regulation.
“It was really nice to have Johnny back; I felt like he had a really good game,” Hossa said. “I think we felt pretty comfortable out there, had lots of chances.”
Kane, playing on left wing for the first time in forever, registered a pair of assists.
“It‘s kind of nice to have a game and see what’s to be expected on that side of the ice,” Kane said. “It’s a little bit different but when we get in the offensive zone we’re all kind of all over the place so that’s the biggest thing ... getting in their zone.”
Hossa expects even better results Saturday night.
“In Game 2 we want to do the same thing, be even more adventurous and get on the scoresheet even more,” he said.
The hits keep on coming:
One of the stats that really stood out from Thursday’s opener was the Coyotes’ dominance in the hits department.
Despite a 48-22 edge over the Hawks in Game 1, Phoenix coach Dave Tippett wasn’t completely enthralled.
“We want to be a physical team, that goes without saying,” Tippett said. “But sometimes you find if you’re hitting too much, that means you don’t have the puck enough.
“I like our physical mindset, that has to be a factor for us, but I’d like to see us play with the puck more.”
Digging the whiteout:
Phoenix goalie Mike Smith experienced a complete whiteout at Jobing.com Arena for the first time Wednesday, and it’s something he won’t soon forget.
“Warmup was shocking,” he said. “I knew it was a whiteout but I didn’t expect it to be that bright.
“It took me a couple of minutes to take it all in and then I was like, ‘OK, we’ve got a game to play here.’”
Signed and sealed:
The Blackhawks signed forward Peter LeBlanc to a one-year contract Thursday. LeBlanc, 24, shares the team lead with 23 goals, and ranks second on the club with 43 points in 70 regular-season games for the Rockford IceHogs this year.