I'd much rather take a W

Jonathan Toews netted his first NHL hat-trick last night, but the Hawks still fell to the Sid Crosby-less Penguins at the United Center.

Toews scored all three goals while the Hawks were on the powerplay.

Earlier in the game, with two goals already to his name, Toews deflected in a shot from the point that went into the goal, and hundreds of red hard-hats (it was Blackhawk hard-hat night) fell to the ice. But the goal was reveresed because apparently, his stick was too high when he touched the puck.

He tallied his actual third goal a few minutes later.

Despite the hat-trick by Toews, the comeback, the lead changes, and the exciting game that took place, there is a more pressing matter on my mind this morning.

This is the first time all season that the Hawks have lost three straight games. Granted, not all three were in regulation (last night's loss came in OT while shorthanded), but still. At this point in the season, this is not what I thought I'd be seeing.

Not only that, but the fashion in which they lost the last two games is alarming. Giving up a 3-1 lead and allowing four goals in the third period to a clearly inferior Nashville team should not happen. Yes, I know it was in the midst of 12 of 14 games on the road, but they were up 3-1.

And the Penguins; this is an Eastern Conference team on the playoff bubble (barely) and without their superstar, Sid Crosby. Especially at home, this should have been a win.

The Hawks have a decent chance to turn things around, with six of their next seven games at home (and only two playoff bound opponents in that stretch).