The things the Blackhawks were doing to the Penguins in the season opener were borderline pornographic. You liked it but didn’t know if you should keep it on. As a Blackhawks fan, I hope you kept it on.
We all know how filthy Patrick Kane’s hands are and he set the tone with a beautiful no-look assist to Ryan Hartman to open the scoring. He would add another no look assist later in the period that was just as filthy. Kane wasn’t done there as he added yet another assist and a highlight reel backhand goal. He would end up with 1g and 3a and if tonight is any indication of the rest of the season, Kane will be a Hart Trophy contender.
Ryan Hartman is off to hot start following his 31 point season in 2016-2017. He had a great night with 1g 4a and had great chemistry with Kane and Schmaltz. Schmaltz looked like a superstar with 2g 1a but left the game in the third period. The way this second line looked tonight, hopefully nothing is seriously wrong.
Panik, Seabrook and Sharp all chipped in a goal and theirs were dirty too. Panik put it in the backdoor of Murray from a great Schmaltz pass. Seabrook knocked his in off a one-hop and Sharp looked like he was shot out of a cannon. This is a great sign for him coming off of the hip injury.
The story of the night had to be Brandon Saad’s return. Saadfather led the way with a hat trick highlighted by his second goal where he dangled and undressed the defense. Toews set him up perfectly for goal number three and Saad of course put it in the back of the net.
Also, let’s not forget this grotesque hit that Alex Debrincat put on Ian Cole. A man much older and larger than him.
The Blackhawks broke the team record of 8 for goals in a home opener and are on pace for 820 goals (the record is 446 by the 1983-1984 Edmonton Oilers). It will be interesting to see if the Blackhawks can keep up this pace all season. We are in for a lot of cold showers if they do.
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Points deducted for the landing but who cares?
Saad with the hat trick!#Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/R8Jo6SZ8ZQ
— MLP (@Pappy_Hour) October 6, 2017
