California Dreaming?: Blackhawks Shoot Out The Kings

We must be dreaming, playing the back-end of a back to back, the Chicago Blackhawks needed the maximum time to beat the LA Kings in a shootout 4-3 for a 2 game sweep of California. After the overtime period failed to produce a goal, Alex DeBrincat ended the game with the winner scoring the only goal of the shootout. For much of the game the Hawks were hanging on and for the most part were out played, with Collin Delia turning in a solid game. Too much zone time in their own end and the Hawks scoring on their opportunities despite Kings goalie, Jonathan Quick also playing in a strong game.

Random thoughts:

• Scoring: Patrick Kane had another multiple point night with 1 goal and 1 assist and Alex DeBrincat scored his 36th goal and 1 helper. Technically, the shootout goal doesn't count towards his season goal total. Sam Lafferty was finally rewarded for his hard work with his 4th goal set up by a shifty pass from Taylor Raddysh.

• The power-play?: After the power-play clicked against Anaheim, the Hawks "special teams" almost let them down. Within the opening seconds of their first PP, the Hawks gave up a shorthanded goal. The Hawks then took an undisciplined bench minor for too many men on the ice and the Kings immediately cashed in on their power-play. The Hawks had a power-play in overtime, but it was with only 28 seconds left and finished the night 0/4..
  
• Where now?: Hailing from Rancho Cucamonga, California, Collin Delia got the start in his hometown (close by) with family in attendance and kept his team in the game, especially in the first when the Blackhawks were out played badly 12-5, but the Hawks came out of the period with the lead with Kane's 21st of the season. He finished the game with 43 saves on 46 shots and didn't allow a goal in the shootout. He was one of the stars of the game.

• For some reason the Blackhawks wore their home red jerseys. Since the ESPN+ broadcast begins with the drop of the puck, I didn't hear an explanation. I would love it if the NHL went back to the home light colour jerseys and the visiting team wearing their dark (and more colourful) jerseys. Seeing the red Hawks jerseys at a Jets home game would be incredible! I have to admit back when I had season tickets for the Jets in the early 80's, one of the highlights was to see the visiting teams "nicer looking" threads. Back to last night, maybe it was because the Kings wanted to wear those goofy shiny chrome helmets.
• Speaking of ESPN+...could the broadcast be any more annoying? Leah Hextall's pronunciation of Collin D-lee-a was laughable and Ray Ferraro said it differently each time. This should really make Hawks fans appreciate how good we have it with the Blackhawks telecast, including the in-studio analysis, instead of the national on ESPN/TNT, yikes!

Up next: Off to Vegas for an afternoon game on Saturday at 2:00 pm CST. Oh no, another national telecast!