Blackhawks-Coyotes: Circus Rolls into Chicago, 'Hawks Roll On to Shootout Win

As the Circus rolls into town, the Chicago Blackhawks roll out. It is what has become known as their annual 'circus' road trip. Last night in Phoenix, the 'Hawks were far from clown-like, as they worked for a type of win that has been hard to come by for them this season, an overtime/shootout win on the road.

The play of Kris Versteeg can be describe as nothing short of excellent. It easy to forget from watching him so far that he is in fact a rookie. Granted, Kris is the elder statesman on the line with Toews and Kane, a rookie nevertheless.

Versteeg tallied his sixth goal of his career late in the first period.  Patrick Sharp followed up shortly with the Blackhawks second of the night, his Tenth of the campaign.

The Coyotes fought back with a pair of PPG. One in the second period when Michalek beat Khabibulin. The other came midway through third period on a Shane Doan tally to knot it up at two.

The clock wound down to zero the and here we go again mode set in. The Chicago Blackhawks who have struggled greatly in the extra frame this season.

The five-minute OT seemed to flash by in an instant, with the Blackhawks having the best chance on a four-on-three power play. They failed to capitalize on the man advantage and to a shootout we go.

Nikolai Khabibulin stopped 36 in regulation, and after Toews and Sharp converted on their free shots, and Khabibulin held tight on the two that he faced, securing the extra point on the road with a save on Peter Mueller. 

The Chicago Blackhawks, as a young team, need to approach this long "circus" road trip one game at a time. They took care of business in Phoenix and will head to Dallas on Thursday to take on the Stars (6-8-3).

The Stars are playing up-and-down hockey this year, and the Blackhawks have no reason to believe they cannot keep this road trip on the right track.  

Some of the keys to Thursday's game. Do not come out flat. Last night in Phoenix, the 'Hawks had a little bit of an extra jump that I believe wore down the Coyotes. They young stars need to shine: Look for Toews, Kane, Versteeg, and I think Byfugelin to carry the 'Hawks in "tough" games on the road (every game is tough, some more than others).  

Whoever is between the pipes need to make big saves: The 'Hawks are an exciting fast team with a few defenseman who really like to jump up into the play, leaving some occasional opportunities for opponents odd-man breaks.

Overall good start to the road trip.  If Kris Versteeg and Patrick Sharp continue to play at the level they are at, and continue to create pressure and scoring chances on this road trip, then other guys with just as much if not more fire power will be able to get involved. Khabibulin continues his strong campaign to be named No. 1.

It will be interesting to see what Joel Quenneville does in this second game of the trip. Even more interesting when you compare the last starts of Huet and Khabibulin, respectively.