Blackhawks-Ducks: Chicago Starts Road Trip with a Win in Anaheim

Well, I suppose the line shuffle worked for the Blackhawks in their first game back from the All-Star Break, but it wasn't the new lines that struck first—it was one of the old ones.

The line of Adam Burish, Ben Eager, and Colin Fraser that would find pay dirt first, as Burish would stuff a juicy rebound pass Jonas Hiller to put the 'Hawks up 1-0 in the first period.

The 'Hawks would hold their one goal lead until the 12-minute mark of the first period was rookie Bobby Ryan would blast a slap shot past Nikolai Khabibulin on the power play to make the score 1-1. The 'Hawks would once again regain the lead three minutes later with a goal from Patrick Kane on the power play.

Kane's goal in the first period was his first goal in twelve contests and his first point since Jan. 8 against the Avalanche.

In the second period the 'Hawks got the scoring started early as Jonathan Toews would score a big goal that was setup by Patrick Sharp and Duncan Keith, who was playing in his first game in two weeks.

After that 'Hawks goal they seemed unable to generate any type of offense and it was the Ducks who would bombard Nikolai Khabibulin and the 'Hawks goal with pucks but Khabibulin was spectacular in net. 

The Ducks would however crack the Bulin Wall as Travis Moen would score a short handed goal with just over a minute left in the second. With that goal it seemed as though the Ducks would have all the momentum heading into the third, and they did.

The third period had all 'Hawks fans on the edge of their seats, as it seemed like the entire period was played in the 'Hawks defensive zone. But Khabibulin would not let this team lose, as he stopped the final 11 shots he faced to give Chicago a 3-2 win. 

Three Stars of the Game

1. Nikolai Khabibulin (36 Saves)

2. Chris Pronger (One Assist)

3. Jonathan Toews (One Goal)

Michael Wagner's Players of the Game

Patrick Kane

Kane netted his first goal in 12 games and had an all around solid game playing with his new linemates, Dave Bolland and Martin Havlat. After being drilled by Dan Cleary in the game before the Winter Classic, Kane had not been 100 percent but after sometime in Montreal he looks like the old Kaner.

Duncan Keith

Even more welcomed than Kane's first goal in 12 games was the return of Duncan Keith to the Chicago lineup. Keith played well in his return, setting up Jonathan Toews for the game winning goal and just playing a very solid defensive game.

The 'Hawks spent a lot of time back their own zone and Keith was tested early and often. Keith looked quick and didn't miss a beat in his return, showing no ill effects from the concussion.

Next Game

The Chicago Blackhawks continue on their eight-game road trip in Los Angeles tonight where they will take on the Los Angeles Kings. This will be the Kings first game back from the All-Star break and are currently riding a three game points streak.

The guess would be that Cristobal Huet will be in net versus the Kings as the 'Hawks will be playing in back to back games. 

News and Notes

Pascal Pelletier was the lone healthy scratch against the Ducks. Pelletier had been called up two days earlier to take Kris Versteeg's place in the lineup. Versteeg will be sitting out with a finger injury, it is uncertain how much time he will be out but it is unlikely he will play against the Kings in Thursday.