Blackhawks-Stars: Versteeg Inspires Hawks to Comfortable Victory

When the weather outside is frightful, the Blackhawks are so delightful.

Forgive me for my giddiness, I just haven't had the chance to watch professional hockey at this level in over 10 years.

The Blackhawks fought off a lackadaisical first period en route to a commanding 6-3 win over the Dallas Stars tonight.

It's a good thing Hockeenight didn't have their podcast with me after tonight's game. It would've been 30 minutes of me yelling Kris Versteeg's name and glorifying his every move.

If it's not the pick pocket move he had the other night against San Jose off Boucher, or the hard charges into the corner he makes to free pucks, or the regular flips of open pucks toward the crossbar, Kris Versteeg is probably doing something else on the ice to help his team win.

Tonight, his goal and two assists were just portions of his overall game. They didn't tally his constant nagging of Dallas defenders. His move to put the Hawks up 4-3 at the end of the second was arguably the best goal of the season.

Another player who might have his stats overshadowed is Martin Havlat. Marty had one stanza during the game where he picked off two consecutive clearing passes, and then made a move toward the net to draw a penalty. He polished off his night with a pretty goal to put the Hawks up 5-3.

Do we have enough time to talk about Ben Eager?

Or the re-awakening of Brian Campbell?

Or the Mustache Man's penchant for sticking his foot up the rears of players who make dumb penalties?

We don't. I know you don't. There's just too much 'wonderful' to go around.

Nik was only 25 of 28 tonight, but half of his saves were top notch.

Their simply wasn't a single element of tonight's game that could be preyed upon, unless you want to go back to the Hawks' penalty kill which has gone back to being somewhat mediocre.

So, we'll end on this note:

Kris Versteeg has seven goals and 12 assists for 19 points through 18 games.

Pardon me while I hug the nearest object in my computer room.