Marian Hossa Leads The Charge: Chicago Blackhawks Win Their First In Buffalo

The Chicago Blackhawks won their first game that counts since the fateful night in June when Patrick Kane sunk the goal heard 'round Chicago.

Marian Hossa has been the hottest Blackhawk thus far on the infant season as he has looked fast and dynamic in all aspects, on the score sheet and off it. He was able to add two goals in the contest in Buffalo against the Sabres in the Blackhawks' 4-3 victory.

Hossa is looking to jump out of the gate early as he did not get to open things up last season due to an injury he had for the first few months of the year, before becoming a key contributor to the Stanley Cup effort.

Corey Crawford was in net for the Hawks for the first time this season. He made some sparkling saves in the game, coming out to a total of 32 saves in the end. He outdid his much-heralded counterpart Ryan Miller, of Olympic fame.

Nineteen-year-old defenseman Nick Leddy was able to record his first NHL goal tonight with a slapper from the point that at first looked like an assist that Jonathan Toews redirected in mid-air.

Toews quickly recovered the puck as it in fact did not hit him, but had struck the Sabres d-man instead, to give Leddy a thrill he no doubt will never forget.

Adding to the efforts as well was Buffalo native Patrick Kane who added a goal. Television shots showed his family and friends rooting for the young star Kane in a sky box, and surely some Sabres fans added some "golf claps" if nothing else for the local boy who quickly has become one of the best scorers in the league.

A somber and scary happening in the game was when one of Buffalo's best players in winger, Jason Pominville, was hit into the boards by Niklas Hjalmarsson. It clearly was a legal hit and not dirty when viewed on a replay, but that doesn't mean "the hammer" is going to get away with it scot-free.

Hjalmarsson most likely will face a brief suspension for the hit that left the Sabres assistant captain leaving the ice on a stretcher.

Hjalmarsson said of the hit, “My intention wasn't to hurt him and I heard our doctor said he was up walking so that’s a big relief.”

Pominville is believed to have a concussion, which for people who saw the hit is a relief at best. Hopefully he recovers soon as he is a steady contributor to a good Eastern Conference team.