Chicago Blackhawks: Takeaways from thrilling overtime win over Senators

The Blackhawks started their season off in style Thursday night with an overtime win.

The Chicago Blackhawks started their quest back to the postseason tonight in Ottawa against the Senators. The game was a wild one, with five goals scored between the two teams in the first period, followed by a scoreless second frame and a wild third period.

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Overall, the Blackhawks have to be happy with a road win to start off the season, even though there were some rough spots along the way. That being said, here are my takeaways from tonight’s season opener.

1. Cam Ward has rollercoaster night

Cam Ward’s regular season debut for the Blackhawks got off to a rocky start, allowing three goals in the first period. However, those goals were more a result of poor defensive positioning than Ward’s lack of skill. He was given little-to-no chance on the first two goals as there were huge holes in the defense allowing a wide open shooting lane.

After a rough first period, Ward was absolutely spectacular in the final two periods, shutting the Senators out. He bailed out a number of Blackhawk turnovers and made a spectacular save midway through the third period to keep it at a one goal game.

Overall I think Ward had a strong debut for the Blackhawks and he proved he can be a competent option between the posts this season until Corey Crawford returns healthy.

Chicago Blackhawks

2. The captain is back!

Jonathan Toews was all over the ice tonight and it was refreshing to see. The captain notched a goal and an assist on the game tonight and his line was easily the most effective line for the Blackhawks tonight.

Toews scored his goal on a 2-on-1 rush midway through the first period. Toews chose to shoot rather than pass and didn’t miss. Him being this aggressive on the rush should be a welcome site for all Blackhawks fans looking for a bounce back season from Toews.

Toews also assisted on the game-winning goal to Patrick Kane. Toews checked a Senator in his own zone and came away with the puck. In one motion he flicked it forward to a wide open Kane who waltzed in on a breakaway and buried it. Hopefully this is a sign of things to come this season for the captain.

3. Showtime ends it

Speaking of the game-winning goal, Kane was up to his normal tricks on opening night, notching a goal and an assist on the night. Both of Kane’s points were of huge importance to the Blackhawks and without Kane, they definitely lose this game.

Kane did not look like himself early on in this game, he was out of position on one of the Senator goals in the first period and had a pair of neutral zone turnovers in the early stages as well. He looked uncomfortable for much of the first two periods.

However, as is expected with Kane, he got better in crunch time and late in the third period. Coach Quenneville decided to double-shift his best player and it paid off. Kane went behind the net and found Brent Seabrook right in front, and Seabrook buried it.

Kane then followed it up with his breakaway game-winner in overtime. If the Blackhawks have any chance at the postseason this year, they need Kane to perform like this on a nightly basis throughout the season, and so far, he’s off to a fast start.