A 3 Goal Lead Is Safe, Right?: Blackhawks Blow It!

Just when we thought the Chicago Blackhawks were turning some kind of corner, they proceed to blow a three goal lead going into the third period and lose in overtime to the Vegas Golden Knights. With a two game winning streak and a "comfortable" 3-0 lead against the Knights after two periods, the Hawks went into panic mode, something we've seen all too often this season. The Knights were desperate for a win to keep their playoff hopes alive, but how can the Hawks fall apart so quickly in a game they had seemingly had complete control of? Sorry Jets! At least they got a loser point and got points in all 3 games on this road trip, as if that's any consolation.

Quick thoughts/rants:

• Comeback/collapse: This win was Vegas's first ever 3+ third period comeback...in their history! It's funny how momentum changes so quickly and when the Vegas fans woke up when they scored their first goal by Chandler Stephenson and it was hard to stop the stream-roller effect. When they scored that goal, I had a bad bad feeling this Hawks collapse could happen. I feel sick!
• Lankinen: The turning point was clearly the first Vegas goal which led to tying the game a short time later. The Hawks gave up three goals in 2:52 within the first three and half minutes of the third, this seems to be a habit this season, As they say, any lead is never safe no matter by how many goals. The first goal Lankinen should have had, a clear shot from the circle and it went through him (under the arm). A couple other ones were deflections with heavy traffic in front, but the OT was another he should have stopped. It's unfortunate because Lankinen had a strong game in the first two periods. Also, has Lankinen ever won in OT? I recall last season he seemed to lose in overtime, a lot.
• Hawks scoring: The Hawks actually played well during the first two periods. Goals from Dominik Kubalik (his first in while), Jonathan Toews and Dylan Strome, it was looking promising. The Kane/Strome/DeBrincat line was always a threat and in the third during the catastrophic collapse, they were the only threat. Nice to see the Cat get his 37th of the year. What a season!

• Dadonov: The irony that Evgenii Dadonov scored the OT winner for Vegas is hilarious. Earlier in the week, as an obvious salary dump, he was traded to the Ducks, but an idiotic oversight by the Knights management who didn't realize Anaheim was on Davonov's no-trade list is inexcusable (and laughable!). No fault to Evgenii's he is out to prove they were making a mistake and he's scored some big goals since. Still doesn't solve their cap issues and I really hope they can't dress certain players because of this and they miss the playoffs. C'mon hockey karma gods!
  

• ABC...#*@!!: My first world problem complaints about the broadcast continue with another national game on ABC/ESPN+. The play by play was fine, but the camera angles are driving me crazy! During the power-plays (for both teams), the prolonged camera angle was from the highest possible corner either in the close end or the far end of the ice. The other PP angle was behind the net and when a goal was scored at that angle, I had no idea where the puck was before it went in the net. Clearly this must be an issue, because during the second period intermission, Mark Messier and Chris Chelios had differing opinions on the TV camera angles. Chelios said it was too far and too high up, while Mess said it was a good teaching angle because you can see all the players on the ice at once. But, NOT during the live play, for a replay it's fine for a "teaching moment", but come on!! I've brought this issue up before and it only occurs during ABC broadcasts, so whoever is editing or doing the switching and choosing the camera angles, get someone else that knows something about telecasting hockey!...end rant.

Up next: I'll be watching the Jets/Coyotes game on Sunday. The Blackhawks return home to host the Buffalo Sabres on Monday at 7:30 pm CST.