NHL: Patrick Sharp and Marian Hossa "Kick" Start Chicago Blackhawks Playoff Bid

The Chicago Blackhawks got some much-needed jolts in their crucial 4-3 victory over St. Louis Wednesday night.

Jolt one was the unexpected return of Patrick Sharp.

Jolt two was the Skate Of God, with Marian Hossa playing the role of Diego Maradona.

Jolt three was the captain snapping home the game winner in overtime.

Sharp skated on his own Wednesday morning.  Sometime between then and warm ups he must have decided that he was needed on the ice, even if it wasn't at 100 percent. I, for one, was stunned to hear that he was going to try to go against a physical St. Louis Blues team that had nothing to lose.

On a side note, was it a coincidence that Marcus Kruger, who was not a replacement for Sharp (according to the club), was a scratch the night Sharp returned to the lineup? Or did the team decide that Ben Smith was a better option after Stan Bowman inserted the 20-year old Swede into the Blackhawks lineup (which was done in accordance with Bowman's master plan)?

I guess those questions will be answered by how Kruger is used from here on out.

How effective could Sharp be after a seven game layoff?  He definitely did not look entirely comfortable on the ice, but skated almost 20 minutes and picked up an assist on the 'Hawks first goal of the night.

Or did he?

After 27 minutes of the Blues sticking a shiv into Chicago's tenuous playoff position, Hossa put a rebound into the St. Louis net, "Chelsea Dagger" kicked in, and all of a sudden it was a hockey contest again. The play was reviewed, with Pat Foley and Eddie Olczyk agreeing that the call on the ice would stand.

I kept wondering when they would see that Hossa had obviously kicked the puck into the goal post, where it hit before tight-roping the goal line, but that took a moment or two. I sat forlornly on my couch, knowing that the war room in Toronto was going to negate that goal once they focused on Hossa's skate.

Never happened. When the smoke cleared, the 'Hawks had cut the deficit in half.

In Chicago's defense, everyone had a long hard look at that play. Nobody rushed to judgement. The call was goal on the ice and it withstood a video review. The goal was most certainly the catalyst for the Blackhawks second period surge. However, the Hawks were responsible for the play, and goals, behind that surge.

The United Center faithful had to brush the desperation away from their faces to watch the remainder of the contest.  When all was said and done, Tazer's wrist shot found the net and the 'Hawks collected two more critical points.

At long last, Chicago can focus on their home and home showdown with the Central Division Champion Red Wings. Sharp has a few more days to get his wheels back under him, and we watch a bit more Dallas Stars games than usual.

Nothing is certain.  After momentarily teetering against the Blues, however, the Blackhawks are still masters of their fate.

With thanks to Sharp's knee, Hossa's skate, and Toews' stick.