April 23--No one was more excited -- or relieved -- when Patrick Kane scored in double-overtime of Game 5 of the Western Conference quarterfinals against the St. Louis Blues than Andrew Shaw.
The forward watched Thursday night's game from the confines of the Hawks' dressing room while serving a one-game suspension for using a homophobic slur and was thrilled Kane scored to extend the Hawks' season.
Now, Shaw is ready to return to the lineup when the Hawks face the Blues in a do-or-die Game 6 on Saturday night at the United Center and his excitement was obvious.
"I'm excited to play, excited to be out there and help the team any way I can," said Shaw, who skated on the top line with Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane during the morning skate. "It's probably tougher to watch than to play, especially in a tight game like that. It was a huge relief; obviously, the team played great. They worked hard, they competed (and) they did all the things they needed to do to get the win."
That 4-3 win in double-overtime set off a raucous celebration in the Hawks' dressing room from the scratched players.
"I was in the locker room with the other guys who weren't playing," Shaw said. "It was one of those games the nerves get the best of you. You're sitting in there sweating, worried. I think it's more nerve-wracking to watch the game to be a part of it.
"It's a roller-coaster ride up and down," Shaw added. "We got up 3-1 and the boys are all excited and then they tied it and go into overtime. That overtime was rattling the nerves, that's for sure. But (it was) a lot of excitement when Kane put that one in."
Shaw described the days after using the slur directed at officials late in Game 4 as "tough."
"But that kind of stuff makes a man stronger and you move on from it and obviously you don't forget it, and you learn from it," he added.
In addition to the one-game suspension, Shaw was fined $5,000 for an obscene gesture (he extended both middle fingers (with his gloves on) to officials as he was headed to the penalty box.
"I accept what happened," Shaw said. "Accept the punishment and ... move forward and be excited for Game 6 on (Saturday night)."
He also said he appreciated the support he received from teammates on the aftermath of the incident.
"Support from your team is good, obviously," Shaw said. "We stick together through thick and thin and that's what makes us such a good team."
As a restricted free agent following the season, Shaw said he hasn't put much thought into what will happen during the summer when the Hawks will look to shed salary because of the NHL's salary cap.
"Hey, live in the now, here and now," he said. "Do what I can to help this team win. Let that work itself out this summer."
One-timer: The other forward lines during the skate were: Panarin-Anisimov-Teravainen; Ladd-Kruger-Hossa and Panik-Desjardins-Weise.
