Chicago Blackhawks 3, Calgary Flames 2 (OT)

Duncan Keith is a magician.

I won't waste any time trying to compare him to great Blackhawk defenseman of the past.

This is mainly because none of them existed in the same universe that he inhabits.

Many feel that having such a stance on a player this early in his career is premature boasting, but it isn't.

Duncan Keith is the most magical defender we've ever seen on the blueline.

The only man that compares is Chelios in his prime.

Tonight, Duncan Keith followed up a pickpocket swipe of Jerome Iginla on the boards by swiping a Jonothan Toews rebound into the back of the net for a 3-2 win in Calgary.

Khabibulin was wonderful, but Duncan Keith was magic.

The Hawks received their first goal from Davey Bolland when Mikka Kiprussoff overreacted to a whiff on a wrister by Bolland. Bolland regained himself for a second swipe at the puck, and put it past the netminder.

A Patrick Kane powerplay snipe put the Hawks up momentarily until Matt Walker had a brain freeze. Walker's unfortunate dumping attempt caromed off of a Calgary player, and Rene Bourque (who apparently decided to become a hockey player) forced a chance that found David Moss for the tying tally.

Calgary had definitely shaped their gameplan after being humiliated in the first matchup of the season. The Flames decided to dump their position as parking cones for the Blackhawks offense, and actually decided to force the Hawks' hand more often. This pressed the Hawks into more turnovers, and the Hawks never really got into their more favored 'open' style of play.

A couple players outside of Keith and Khabibulin caught my eye: Cam Barker and Jonothan Toews. Barker played a fairly inept game, which got me thinking about Daily Herad writer Tim Sassone's incessant pleadings for Barker to be traded. To this writer, it just seems that Barker isn't always in the game.

For a first round draft pick, who seemingly has all the tools to be a great defenseman (perfect size, great shot, solid ice vision) it seems that Barker should be further down the line in his evolution. We'll see.

As for Toews, he reminded me of what many people say about great players; "That they are great when they are supposed to be." Jonny T certainly didn't do a whole hell of a lot tonight before the over time frame, but the move he made to force a penalty (and give Duncan Keith a chance to collapse on the winner) was one of his best moves of the year.

It's hard to believe, but the Hawks are only five points behind Detroit. Plus, they have a game in hand.

They have two games coming up with Detroit, as well.

A man can dream, right?

It's hard to fathom that only two years ago I was stuck behind a man yelling "Slackhawks" at a game. Good days.

Til Tomorrow,