Flirting with greatness: Why the 2015 Open proved a watershed in the rise of Jordan Spieth

With the dust having settled and world of Golf moving on, Rob Clayden analyses Jordan Spieth’s near miss at The Open. 

Jordan Spieth set the tone for his 2015 dominance with a 10-stroke victory at the Hero World Challenge in 2014

There will be no grand slam for Jordan Spieth. The seemingly innocuous finishing hole at golf’s most famous links saw to that. As the twenty-one year old Texan watched his ball grip, spin and disappear into the Valley of Sin, he knew there was to be no repeat of Ben Hogan’s Triple Crown feat of 1953.

This heart-sinking moment would provide shades of those who have come within a mere stroke of collecting the first three majors of the calendar year-Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer the other men to suffer such a fate. Ironically, Palmer’s grand slam dreams were also left in tatters on the 72nd at St Andrews. As much as viewers, fans and critics will lament the demise of Spieth’s historical dream, standing in history alongside that kind of illustrious golfing company should provide the Texan with an adequate consolation.

"As the twenty-one year old Texan watched his ball grip, spin and disappear into the Valley of Sin, he knew there was to be no repeat of Ben Hogan’s Triple Crown feat of 1953."

So remarkable has been the young phenom’s rise to stardom that he is now encircled with an aura of expectancy. The buzz around the man is staggering, and the pressure on his young shoulders to keep winning has become so great that when he doesn’t, the shock prompts a flurry of preposterous criticism.

Despite a hugely impressive second major victory for fellow American Zach Johnson, the headlines fanned the flames of a fierce debate surrounding where exactly Spieth ‘lost’ the Claret Jug. Be it his four-putt on the par three 8th or his bogey at the tremendously challenging road hole, the vast majority of the media attention focused on Spieth’s supposed inability to close out victory in the clutch.

"So remarkable has been the young phenom’s rise to stardom that he is now encircled with an aura of expectancy."

For a man who has so far this year successfully protected leads at The Masters and the US Open, such a crude assessment of his mettle is both ludicrous and unwarranted. Although the third leg of the slam eventually proved out of reach, the performance of the current world number two at the 144th Open was gritty and told us more about his character than either of his previous major feats of 2015.

Spieth’s historic success at both Augusta National and Chambers Bay earlier this year failed to persuade more sceptical observers of his ability that he had become a mainstay at the top of the game. It is inevitable that the surprise triumphs of a precocious young talent are scrutinised to the nth degree, but there is a hint of hilarity surrounding the arguments of Spieth’s critics.

On his way to securing the green jacket in April, Spieth negotiated the immaculate Augusta fairways in a record-equalling 72 hole score of 18 under par. However, in the wake of his dominant victory, many cited his 2014 2ndplace finish in Augusta as evidence of a man who simply loves the course.

The Masters has so often in recent times seen the same names atop the leaderboard – Bubba Watson triumphed twice in 2012 and 2014, while Angel Cabrera suffered playoff heartbreak two years ago in a bid to add to his 2009 crown. The naysayers argued Spieth’s maiden major championship was not enough proof that he wasn’t just a flash in the pan. He would need to consistently compete on courses that provided different, more thorough tests of his golfing ability.

The US Open at Chambers Bay was meant to be this golden opportunity. In stark contrast to the golfing paradise that is Augusta, this quarry turned golf course in Washington would offer a completely different type of challenge. Spieth’s narrow win over Dustin Johnson certainly affirmed much of the hype surrounding the Texan, but it came on a set of greens described as having the consistency of an array of different vegetables depending on which pro you asked. The lottery of putting on these surfaces, coupled with the unique local expertise of his caddy, Michael Greller, again led some to question if Spieth could win in a more neutral context.

Then came his fourth place finish at the Open, a result that erased all these doubts and more. The details that supposedly marred Spieth’s prior major titles; the aforementioned advantages he was meant to have enjoyed heading into The Masters and US Open were non-existent for the Texan as he entered the home of golf. The prospect of a testing week at St Andrews offered little encouragement for the Dallas native.

Indeed, much was made about Spieth’s preparation heading into the championship. Ryder Cup winning captain Paul McGinley was particularly vocal, lambasting his decision to play in the John Deere Classic in Illinois, rather than acclimatise to links golf at the Scottish Open. Such concerns appeared to prove an eventuality as he struggled for the form that saw him acquire his first green jacket at a canter. Widely regarded as the best putter in the game, Spieth amassed thirty seven putts in his second round, while his struggles on the 8th and 17th greens in his final round kept him stranded in the chasing pack.

"it is a testament to his talent and consistency that he came so close to history"

However, it is a testament to his talent and consistency that he came so close to history, despite not performing at his best. Nothing went his way, yet he remained a continual threat. So often has the phrase ‘an old head on young shoulders’ been applied to Spieth’s mature temperament, and his rare ability to channel outward displays of frustration into sheer determination help to explain his remarkable major record in 2015.

What we can take from Jordan Spieth’s near miss is his ability to consistently compete at major championships with a tenacity that is almost unmatched on the PGA Tour. He can strike fear into his fellow professionals in a way that others cannot. He can adapt his game to conquer even the toughest tests.

Perhaps the only other man in the game right now who embodies such raw competitiveness is Rory McIlroy. On their day, McIlroy and Spieth can leave top class fields in their wake. Even more importantly however, in difficult times the duo have the inherent ability to dig deep and challenge for titles, remaining in striking distance of the top of the leaderboard.

When McIlroy won the 2014 Open, he joined Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods as only the third man to win three majors by the age of 25. Grand Slam or not, you’d imagine that this illustrious trio will be joined soon by the young star from the lone star state.

T20 World Cup: Day 9

Day nine of the ICC T20 World Cup saw Chittagong play host to two startlingly different Group 1 matches, as winless South Africa faced New Zealand, while Sri Lanka took on the qualifying Netherlands. A difficult start to the tournament for the Proteas set the stage for a crucial encounter with the Black Caps, as they fought to keep their chances of reaching the semi-finals alive. The second game of the day promised much of the same potential drama, with the Dutch drawing confidence from their most recent display of explosive hitting in the qualifying stages. Whilst Sri Lanka would remain firm favourites for the contest, the Netherlands' world record 19 sixes that they clubbed in pursuit of Ireland's formidable target of 189 three days prior, was testament to the unpredictable nature of this shortened form of the game.

It was JP Duminy and Ross Taylor, however, who provided the fireworks on this occasion, guiding their teams to what would be the most thrilling finale the tournament has seen so far.  

JP Duminy improvises on his way to 86*

Put into bat by Brendon McCullum, South Africa began cautiously, and the early loss of dangerous wicketkeeper-batsman Quinton de Kock placed the Proteas on the back foot. Fellow opener Hashim Amla steadied the innings as he set about making a run-a-ball 41, but his inability to accelerate during his time at the crease placed the onus on the rest of the South African top order to score quickly. Captain Faf du Plessis and AB de Villiers both fell cheaply as they tried to push the innings along, and the eventual loss of Amla in comical circumstances was perhaps a blessing in disguise. 

Indeed, the stage was now set for would-be man of the match JP Duminy. The 29 year old took to the New Zealand attack with clever improvisation, scoring an unbeaten 86 of just 43 deliveries to propel his team to 170 for 6 from their 20 overs. Duminy was naturally a big part of the Proteas' explosive finish, and together with a supporting cameo from Albie Morkel, helped amass 70 runs off the final five overs, with Kiwi seamer Tim Southee bearing the brunt of the onslaught.

The nature of New Zealand's reply reflected their efforts against England in the rain affected match two days earlier, as Kane Williamson and Martin Guptil swiftly guided the Black Caps to 57 without loss after 7 overs. However, the quickfire dismissals of both Guptil and McCullum slowed the Kiwi assault, bringing Ross Taylor to the crease amidst renewed South African confidence.

Williamson and Taylor hit five sixes between them as they pushed the score past 130, and the loss of Williamson for 51 in the fourteenth over did little to mask the increasingly comfortable equation facing the New Zealand middle order in the last five overs.

However, while Taylor raced to his fifty, wickets were falling around him, and Protea spinner Imran Tahir bowled a tight spell to stem the flow of runs. An expensive penultimate over from Morne Morkel seemed to have proved too costly, but New Zealand still required seven from the final six balls.

It was South African paceman Dale Steyn who was the hero at the death, however, as he took two for four in the last over of the match to leave the Black Caps short by just three runs. The pace and accuracy of Steyn had seen him dispose of big-hitting Corey Anderson in the 18th over, and he fittingly capped off an outstanding bowling display under great pressure by running out Taylor, after the latter could only punch the final ball of the match back down the track. 

The South African on-field celebrations following their victory were indicative of how important it is to avoid losing consecutive games in the group stages. The extraordinarily tight finish seemed apt considering their desperation for a win, and by drawing level on points with New Zealand, the Proteas have thrown Group 1 wide open.

Lights out: Steyn caps off a brilliant performance

The best game of the tournament thus far was always going to be a hard act to follow, but a woeful performance by the Netherlands ensured that their clash with Sri Lanka failed to reflect any of the quality that preceded them. If South Africa and New Zealand had exceeded the expectations of the Chittagong crowd, the Netherlands performance fell way short, and the ensuing evenings 'entertainment' was anything but.

Having been put into bat the Dutch set about compiling a scorecard that makes for very painful reading, and opener Stephen Myburgh lasted just three balls before a heave at Nuwan Kulasekara was caught by Lasith Malinga on the third man boundary. After Kulasekara completed a wicket maiden, Angelo Mathews took two wickets in two balls to leave the Netherlands 1-3 in the second over. 

While the bowling was tight, the Dutch approach to their innings was rash, and you couldn't help but feel that the confidence from their stunning display against Ireland was having an adverse effect on their ability to construct a competitive total.

Their qualifying efforts had grabbed headlines, and with the famous victory over England in the 2009 competition still lurking as a reminder of the potential of the men in orange, the spectators undoubtedly expected a more impressive start. 

However, between Ireland and Sri Lanka lies a huge gulf in class. Chasing down 190 against the former ultimately counts for little when facing a Sri Lankan team that is not only the highest ranking T20 side in the world, but is also enjoying a run of 13 victories in all formats of the game.

With the Netherlands three down and Mathews on a hat trick, yet more disappointment was in store for the crowd, as floodlight failure caused a significant delay to proceedings. The spectators had gone from seeing poor quality cricket, to no cricket at all, but the darkness at least put the Dutch players out of their misery, if only temporarily.

After an exceptionally long wait, there was to be no hat-trick for Mathews, although he added to his stellar figures by trapping Peter Borren lbw in his next over. At 9-4, any real recovery was beyond the Netherlands and even Tom Cooper's valiant 16 was not enough to prevent the Dutch from recording the lowest total in international T20 history by some margin.

Another one bites the Dutch: Mudassar Bukhari is bowled as the Netherlands stumble to 39 all out

After a clinical performance with the ball to bowl their opponents out for just 39, Sri Lanka easily knocked off the 40 required in half the number of overs, losing only Kusal Perera for a quickfire 20.

The differences between the two games are striking, with one match decided with the very last ball, and the other requiring only 15 overs out of a possible 40 in order to get a result. 

The South African victory earlier in the day epitomised what this form of the game is all about. Improvisation and power with the bat, exceptional death bowling and moments of brilliance in the field - the latter illustrated by the efforts of de Kock behind the stumps. Both sides played their part in a memorable game that displayed excitement unlikely to be matched as the tournament progresses.

This stands in stark contrast to the match that brought day nine of this competition to a close. Here, only one side turned up, and any memories of this encounter will be for all the wrong reasons. The extent to which the associate nations are out of their depth is staggering, and it is a shame that the real quality cricket on display in such a tournament can be marred by mismatches that provide little, if no contest.

Road to the Stanley Cup

Part 2: Game 1

Andrew Shaw's deflection right in front of Bruins goaltender Tuukka Rask in a 3rd Overtime ensured the Chicago Blackhawks emerged from game one of this Original Six finale with an unlikely 4-3 victory.

As the Hawks' famous goal song, Chelsea Dagger, played out to the joy of the home crowd, there seemed to be an element of shock amid the wild celebrations. Indeed, anyone who watched this contest from start to finish would have found it difficult to envisage the Hawks getting anything from a game littered with Bruins opportunities. 

With much of the pre-game hype centering around the form of Rask, it was Chicago goaltender Corey Crawford who sparked the first moment of brilliance in the first period, pulling off a stunning glove save to deny Brad Marchand, who had been set up after some selfless work in front by veteran Jaromir Jagr.

However, any momentum that Crawford gave Chicago was overwhelmed by a seemingly constant stream of Bruins pressure, and at 13:11 in the first, the road team were rewarded for their efforts. The move was started by some committed board work from David Krejci, who took a heavy hit from Niklas Hjalmarsson behind the net in order to squeeze the puck through to Nathan Horton. The former Florida Panther and third overall pick in the 2003 draft showed great hands to deftly direct Krejci's pass first time into the path of Milan Lucic, who made no mistake with half of the net beckoning.

Wrist Work: Milan Lucic loads the wrist shot that put the Bruins ahead

The big Canadian forward was figured to be a key player in the Bruins' pursuit of their second Stanley Cup in three seasons, and he showed just why early in the second period, scoring his and Boston's second goal of the game. After battling along the side boards to win the puck in the neutral zone, Lucic drifted into the slot after Krejci emerged with the puck on the left. The latter's backhand pass was met with a forceful slap shot from Lucic, which was too hot for Crawford to keep out. The Blackhawks seemed to be showing an uncharacteristic lack of determination in these opening two periods, as Patrick Kane and Hjalmarsson both made bad reads on the play to allow Lucic time and space to fire home. However, take nothing away from the tenacious two-way hockey of the Boston winger, whose combination with Krejci looked increasingly dangerous.

An angry Joel Quenneville on the Blackhawk bench perhaps was motivation enough for the home team to step up their game, and rookie Brandon Saad's shot on the turn barely three minutes later cut the Bruins lead to one. Scoring multiple times each game on Tuukka Rask was foreseen to be a difficult task coming into the series, and despite the relief for Chicago as they opened their account here in the second, another goal to tie the game proved elusive. When Patrice Bergeron fired home at 6:09 in the third top shelf, the improbable began to seem impossible, and had it been any other team 3-1 down mid-way through the final period, I'd have rendered the game all but over.

But the 20,000 fans inside the United Center had watched their team fight back doggedly countless times throughout the season, and the Bruins themselves would have known that writing off Chicago's chances would be the most dangerous thing they could do to themselves. Whether or not an element of complacency set in is hard to tell, but clear frailties began to appear in the Boston game. Barely two minutes after Bergeron scored on the powerplay, Bruins defenseman Torey Krug opted to throw a dangerous pass across the ice from his own zone instead of using the open ice in front of him. Caught on a line change, the Bruins were outnumbered as Krug's pass was intercepted, setting up a three on two. Andrew Shaw waited patiently before sliding the puck across Rask's net to a grateful Dave Bolland, who finished clinically on the one timer.

Within two minutes, Boston had seen their comfortable lead stripped away and found themselves on the back foot. When Johnny Oduya fired home from the point at 12:14 via a deflection off Andrew Ference's skate, the momentum had completely shifted - this time it was Michael Frolik and Marcus Kruger putting in a hard shift along the boards, before Kruger found Oduya after recovering the loose puck. Suddenly it was Chicago putting in the extra effort that they seemed to lack in the first period, and with another potential comeback on the horizon, an almost expectant feeling set in amongst the fans. They had seen their team come back from the brink in their series against the Detroit Red Wings in the second round of the playoffs, and this perhaps instilled further confidence into the supporters, who had witnessed their team being overrun by the Bruins early in the game.

However, just when the momentum seemed to be completely with Chicago, the unpredictable nature of the game arose again, as it was Boston who took the initiative as the game headed into overtime. As the fans increasingly got more hockey for their money as the game reached a third overtime, the question on everyone's lips was how the Bruins had not managed to score the winner. Tyler Seguin was unable to finish on the breakaway at the start of the second overtime period; Zdeno Chara saw his shot from the point ricochet of the inside of the post and slide right across the goal line; and Kaspars Daugavins failed to make contact with his backhand effort, having rounded the Hawks' goaltender.

The defending from Chicago was desperate. Dave Bolland saved a goal covering for Crawford on the line, while Marian Hossa was shaken up on a play in the first OT period, having blocked a Bruins shot on net. There was perhaps a sense of inevitability that the winner would go Chicago's way, having absorbed and survived wave after wave of Bruins pressure.

Shaw Thing: Andrew Shaw celebrates with Nick Leddy after redirecting the winner in Game 1

It was Andrew Shaw, creator of the Hawks' second goal, who provided the vital deflection to end the fifth longest game in Stanley Cup history and ensure that the 61st shot on net by Chicago was the one to give his team a 1-0 lead in the series.

Having been given such a high billing, the first game of the series lived up to expectations and more, becoming an instant classic. The shortened season due to the lockout was almost forgotten, as such a great game played out before the many viewers. 

But the best thing about it? This was only the first game. With potentially six more contests to come, the series had already captivated fans across the world.

Road to the Stanley Cup

Part 1: The Build Up

In 1979, the Montreal Canadiens claimed a fourth consecutive Stanley Cup as they eliminated the threat of the New York Rangers in 5 games. Not only did this win emphasise the extent of Montreal's dominance during the 70's as well as represent head coach Scotty Bowman's fifth Cup in 7 years, but it also marked the most recent Stanley Cup Final involving two teams from the Original Six franchises that made up the National Hockey League between the 1942-3 season and the 1967 league expansion.

That is until the Boston Bruins and the Chicago Blackhawks overcame the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Los Angeles Kings respectively in June of 2013, to book their places in what was to be a memorable 6 game series. Such an Original Six matchup had not been seen for 34 years, and the high expectations of a tenacious spectacle were more than lived up to.

On paper the Blackhawk record seemed unassailable, as Joel Quenneville's team cruised to the number one seed in the Western Conference with a record of 36-7-5, including a 24-game point streak in this shortened, 48 game season. The Bruins were by no means un-impressive during the regular season, however in comparison to Chicago, they lacked the dominance of their Western Conference counterparts, finishing 4th in the East with a 28-14-6 record.

However, the playoffs often favour the form team, and Boston entered the Final on a roll. The Bruins swept the Penguins 4-0, providing a perfect platform to launch a second challenge for the Stanley Cup in the past 3 years. The heroics of goaltender Tuukka Rask sent a formidable message to the Blackhawks, as he allowed arguably the league's most potent offense only two goals in four games, shutting the Pens out twice. History would appear to suggest several omens in Boston's favour:

1: A red hot Goaltender

The Stanley Cup winning Bruins team of 2011 was spearheaded by goalie Tim Thomas, who became the oldest Conn Smythe Trophy winner in NHL history at the age of 37. He stopped 238 of the Vancouver Canucks 246 shots in the Finals for a save percentage of .967, and shut out the Sedins and co. twice in the seven game series. The shutout in the final game in Vancouver will be forever remembered as Thomas' most crucial performance, as his work helped the Bruins win the only road game of the Finals in devastating fashion. With Tuukka Rask threatening similar Cup winning form, Boston's hopes were high.

Unbeatable: Tim Thomas receives the 2011 Conn Smythe trophy in Vancouver

2: Being the form team

Yes the Chicago Blackhawks had the best regular season record by a distance, but Boston's afore mentioned 4-0 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins indicated that they carried the better streak into the Stanley Cup Final. The importance of a team's form at this stage of the season can  be illustrated through the 2012 triumph of the L.A Kings, who despite being seeded 8th in the Western Conference went on to beat New Jersey to the Cup. Again, another goaltender, this time Jonathan Quick, set the tone for a seemingly unstoppable late season drive by the Kings.

The Chicago Blackhawks, on the other hand, seemed less convincing, almost meeting their end at the hands of the Detroit Red Wings during the second round of the playoffs. The Hawks rallied from 3-1 down to clinch the series 4-3, after a 2-1 overtime victory at the United Center saw them home. But despite almost seeing their cup dreams shattered prematurely, Chicago illustrated a quality that remains regardless of form - the fight and determination of a winning team.

3. Chicago Determination

In the overtime win over the Wings, the Hawks desperately needed to find a way past Jimmy Howard in net, many people's MVP of the series. It took a beautiful Tic-Tac-Toe involving veteran Marian Hossa and assistant captain Patrick Sharp to break the deadlock and it is perhaps testament to their experience that the Blackhawks continued to soldier on, despite lacking the outstanding performances from stars like Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews that were so prominent earlier in the season. The timely contributions and leadership qualities of defenseman Brent Seabrook cannot be overlooked, and while he will be looked at in more detail further down this 'Road to the Stanley Cup', he needs a mention here as it was his glove side wrist shot that kept the Blackhawks alive. The moment of ecstasy inside the United Center when the 28 year old wheeled away on one knee in trademark fashion was so powerful, that it was seen as a key turning point in Blackhawk fortunes. Don't get me wrong, the Hawks were used to winning, but from such a difficult position, this victory symbolized their ability to recover from anything, and gave Chicago an unparalleled momentum boost going forward.

Lucky Number Seven: Brent Seabrook raises his arms aloft after firing the series winner for Chicago

Seabrook himself summed up the determination of the team when he reflected post-game on a disallowed goal with seconds left in regulation.

'We got back in the dressing room frustrated - we thought we should have had the game won. But the guys forgot about it, and while it sucks to have a goal called back like that, our main focus was to simply go out there and play hard in overtime.'

Joel Quenneville, when asked before the game to share his favourite Rolling Stones track (the band were playing locally at the time), he tactfully replied 'You can't always get what you want', before exiting stage right. Very smooth.

The song title was a perfect way to recognize the 24 times the Blackhawks have lost a game 7 in the playoffs. This time, however, the Hawks got exactly what they wanted, and a looming series against defending champions Los Angeles suddenly seemed less of an ordeal.

4. Boston Strong

Before I wrap up this first part of the Road to the 2013 Stanley Cup, the Boston Marathon Tragedy on April 15 should be mentioned. The way the NHL pulled together in this difficult time, placing rivalries aside, was truly commendable, and the words 'Boston Strong' echoed right the way through the Bruins' playoff run. On the back of such a tragic event in the city, determination and willing found a new level:

Class Act: Bruins and Sabres players raise their sticks to the sky in support for the people of Boston 

The Original Six matchup between the Boston Bruins and the Chicago Blackhawks was set to be a brilliant finale.

Blackhawks Streak

Blackhawk Down?

Wild looking to end Hawks' streak in Chicago

Patrick Kane seemed unstoppable on Sunday as he tied the game late on and scored the winner in a shootout, as the Chicago Blackhawks overcame the Detroit Red Wings in the Motor City.

Kane has been exceptional this season, but the key success to the Blackhawks point streak has arguably been their depth and consistency all over the ice, and not just the stand out performances of their big-time players.

Pat on the back: Patrick Kane has been one of many Blackhawks hitting form this season

The previous record for consecutive games with at least a point was 16, set by the Anaheim Ducks in the 2006-07 season, but Chicago have reached 22 already this year, and will look to improve further on this as they take on the Minnesota Wild at the United Center tonight.

Despite their seemingly habitual dominance, Hawks fans should approach this clash with caution and not overextend their expectations. In the previous meeting between the two teams, the Blackhawks came up short in a shootout, and Wild coach Mike Yeo explained that his team are relishing the matchup.

'Any athlete, any competitor relishes a challenge and this is a pretty great one. They've got it all going for them right now.'

Yeo did emphasise that his team were not thinking about their victory over Chicago one month ago.

'I don't think [the victory] means a whole lot. This is a new challenge completely.'

Chicago's blistering run has seen them race to a record of 13-0-2 since their shootout loss to Minnesota on 30th January, and this is perhaps just one reason why Yeo's men are right to keep their feet on the ground.

Coaches, managers and players alike have been unquestionably impressed with Chicago's success, and Joel Quenneville's team has received praise from all around the league.

The depth of the team has been a particular focus of many admirers, including Jeremy Roenick, the former Blackhawks forward.

'They feel they have one first line and three second lines, and this wave after wave of consistent, systematic play grinds other teams down. That's what impresses me about the Chicago Blackhawks.'

St. Louis Blues coach Ken Hitchcock echoed Roenick.  After suffering a 3-0 home defeat to Chicago, he commented that 'when you see them play, every time you look you see five players in the picture. And when there are five in the picture, that leads to winning hockey.

A huge part of this quality depth in the squad can be found in the Chicago defense. Wild forward Zach Parise alluded to the Blackhawks' 'stingy defense' ahead of tonight's clash, and one of the players stepping up on the defensive side of the puck has been 31 year-old Johnny Oduya.

After acquiring Oduya from the Winnipeg Jets in return for two draft picks, the Swede has solidified the Chicago second line, and his work rate has not gone unnoticed. Red Wings coach Mike Babcock credited Chicago General Manager Stan Bowman with the acquisition.

'You've got to give Stan credit where it's due. He's done a good job of retooling the roster, and the players they have acquired have come of age'.

On the Raydar: Ray Emery has been hugely impressive in net for the Chicago Blackhawks 

Pierre McGuire, analyst at NBC, was similarly impressed.

'Adept pro scouting is definitely something to admire - securing Johnny Oduya for two draft picks is an unbelievable heist'

Oduya, in addition to the trade to secure Viktor Stalberg after the 2010 Stanley Cup win has buffed the depth of the Blackhawks for the 2013 season. The selection of Andrew Shaw with the 139th pick of the 2011 draft has also seen a Blackhawk offense increase in effective production.

Above all, however, the goaltending combination of Corey Crawford and Ray Emery has perhaps been the most important reason for the success of Chicago in their opening streak. Big saves at crucial times have seen the Blackhawks through in a host of invariably close contests, and this has come as a complete surprise according to TSN analyst Aaron Ward.

'Coming into the season, doubts were raised over the standard of the goaltending, but this year you've got Ray Emery and Corey Crawford and they're playing lights out.'

The 28 year-old Crawford leads the league with a 1.41 goals against average in combination with his 10-0-3 record. Whether he or Emery get the start tonight, the goaltenders show no sign of letting up, and Chicago will further be boosted by the probable return of Dave Bolland after his upper-body injury.

Wild (11-8-2) @ Blackhawks (19-0-3) 
7pm EST

Blackhawks - Blue Jackets

Toews Company, Sea's a Crowd...

Chicago's first line sinks Blue Jackets in OT, extend point streak to 21

Jonathan Toews and Brent Seabrook combined in overtime on Friday night to help the Chicago Blackhawks over the line against the injury-ridden Columbus Blue Jackets at the United Center.

Chicago, currently enjoying a streak of 21 games without a loss in regulation, were up against a Columbus outfit with the fewest total points in the league this season. With these division rivals occupying opposite ends of the league standings, it would seem on paper to have been an unquestionable mismatch, and indeed there was minimal concern over the likelihood of the Blackhawks record-breaking streak ending any time soon.

However, it was in the first minute that the Blue Jackets silenced the Chicago home crowd, as Vinny Prospal  capitalised on a rebound to shoot past Ray Emery and give the travelling Columbus side a 1-0 lead.

Viktor Stalberg tied the game with 3:51 left in the first after a rebound came lose from Brandon Saad's shot on the powerplay. Stalberg continued his excellent record against Columbus (11 goals and 2 assists in 15 games) after fighting his way through a scrum in front of Steve Mason's net.

It was the Blue Jackets who wrestled back the authority however, as Artem Anisimov restored their lead mid-way through the second period. His shot deflected off the left skate of Chicago's Daniel Carcillo before beating Emery in net.

The Blackhawks began to dig deep and soon showed how they have managed to keep producing results in increasingly tight contests. Hawks winger Patrick Sharp cut down the left before releasing a sharp-angle backhand shot which beat Mason after striking the Columbus goaltender's blocker.

All over: Chicago defenseman Brent Seabrook wheels away to the delight of the home crowd after netting the winner in overtime.

Within a minute, a 2-on-1 break involving Stalberg and Bryan Bickell gave Chicago the go-ahead goal, as the latter fired a wrist shot into the top right hand corner of the net. 

Chicago have a record of 12-0-3 in games decided by a single goal, and this contest looked to maintain this pattern of consistency. However, Ryan Johansen scored for the Blue Jackets with 7:37 left in the third to break his 37 game goal drought and take the game to overtime.

The winning goal was something of a masterpiece, as captain Jonathan Toews was released down the left wing. Powering past his opposing defenseman, he shaped to shoot before throwing the puck across the goal for Seabrook to fire into an open net. 

Scorer of the Hawks' third goal, Bryan Bickell, mentioned the determination keeping the team going. 

'We were down early in this game. It shows the character in this dressing room to come back. We're just having a blast right now'.

'They had us on our heels a couple of times, but it was good to see Brent get on the rush and pop the OT winner'.

Ray Emery was the less busy of the two goaltenders, as the hawks toppled the Blue Jackets for the second time in a week, after a 1-0 victory the previous Sunday.

For Chicago, Friday's victory meant a tenth straight win over Columbus, dating back to February 18th 2011.

NFC East Title Race

Festive Footrace: Redskins - Cowboys tilt to decide NFC East

For Jason Garrett and Mike Shanahan, the Christmas festivities were a clouded affair. With a division deciding matchup looming on the penultimate evening of 2012, it would appear that one coach's New Year will start significantly more positively than the other's.

On the face of it, Washington would seem to have the slight advantage: Not only did they win last week in Philadelphia, but the victory over Andy Reid's team stretched their winning streak to six games, making them one of the hottest teams in the NFL. The timely return of Robert Griffin III last week allowed the rookie out of Baylor to find his feet again before the Thanksgiving rematch, and considering how ordinary he made the Dallas secondary look at Cowboys Stadium five weeks ago, Redskins fans will be eager to see what he can do to their rivals on his home field. The one worry for Mike Shanahan is perhaps how ready his quarterback is to run with the ball, despite avoiding the prospect of the second overall pick picking up a season ending injury.

After the game against the Ravens at Fed Ex Field, there were concerns that Griffin III had suffered the same fate as the Pittsburgh Tight End Heath Miller, who went on to tear his ACL (and MCL) in Week 16. Having experienced such an injury during his college playing time, concerns over the state of the Redskins Quarterback's knee were immediately raised.

In a press conference following the game, Griffin said 'I know what an ACL feels like, and it doesn't feel like that to me. Hopefully we will be able to get some positive things out of the MRI - the X-ray was good - and hopefully things will be alright'.

Shaken Up: Griffin III is helped off the field in Week 14

He went on to express some partial concern over the situation: 'I'm not too nervous at the moment, but I will definitely be praying during the MRI'.

Mike Shanahan later confirmed that Griffin was 'day to day with a mild sprain'. He added that he had a Grade one sprain to his lateral collateral ligament, with 'no structural damage to the rest of the knee'.

Despite the immediate relief following the situation, and the impressive performance of fourth round pick Kirk Cousins in Griffin's absence, questions still remain over the threat of RG3 as a runner. The Redskins game plan against the Eagles saw a noticeable drop in carries for the rookie, and fans will look to see if such a strategy continues on Sunday against a vulnerable rush defense, that also struggled to deal with the presence of Darren Sproles and Pierre Thomas out of the backfield last week. Alfred Morris, the other half of the rookie tandem, may feature even more heavily than usual if Griffin is limited in this way. The sixth round pick out of Florida Atlantic, who has rushed 302 times for 1413 yards and 10 touchdowns, and also dispelled the rotation policy implemented by the head coach last year, has been a huge part of the Redskins playoff push. A matchup against the team that allowed inconsistent runner Mark Ingram to find the end zone at an average of over 5 yards per carry is surely a favourable one this week, and Morris' production here could have a distinctive say in his team's plans for the NFC East.

However, the selection of the first year Redskins Quarterback for the Pro Bowl this past week has surely boosted the rookie's confidence, and, whether he will be a large factor running the ball or not in the final game, the amount of success he has achieved this season will not be forgotten anytime soon.

Despite all the positives emanating from this Washington offensive unit, however, it is plausible to suggest that they are not the favorites for this decider. A team that has won its last six games, you would think, must be the most in-form team in the league, and perhaps that is partly true, but the win-loss record of a team doesn't always present the whole picture. 

In the way of the Griffin-Morris partnership stands possibly the two hottest offensive weapons in the National Football League. Despite needing what would be season ending surgery to his finger, Dez Bryant has vowed to put off his health concerns until the Cowboys are eliminated from their run to the Superbowl, and his quarterback Tony Romo could not be more thankful of this decision. Not only did Bryant shred the Redskins in their Thanksgiving bout, but last week he ran up 225 yards through the air, connecting with Romo for two touchdowns. Washington's pass defense leaves a lot to be desired, ranking them 30th in the league and this is not a statistic Redskins fans will want to hear, as their team faces a quarterback who threw for over 400 yards and 4 touchdowns against the Saints last Sunday. 

Much like the Redskins however, the Cowboys stars are not all 100%, and one of the key game time decisions facing head coach Jason Garrett is the statues of linebacker Demarcus Ware, who, along with tight end Jason Witten was recently voted to the Pro Bowl. Witten, who broke the tight end receptions in a single season record against the Saints, overtaking the ex-Kansas City Chief Tony Gonzalez with 103 grabs, has been a key figure for Romo to look for, especially in the latter stages of tight contests. Despite injuries plaguing his opening two games, Witten exploded for 167 yards in week eight against the New York Giants, catching a staggering 18 balls from Romo.

Wits about him: Jason Witten on his way to a single season record for tight end receptions

Ware, on the other hand, has had more recent injury issues. Jason Garrett noted this week that ' Demarcus has been dealing with various injuries throughout the year, he's had a hamstring, an elbow and a shoulder. He's one of those guys who keeps his mouth shut and gets on with things, and we anticipate him working hard and doing everything he can to be out there playing Sunday'.

With so much on the line, this game stands out as the contest to watch this weekend. The game this Sunday will no doubt be leaving one coach with a playoff resolution in 2013.