Blackhawks Beat Blues In Shootout, Hurt Draft Lottery Odds
Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane are both having marvelous seasons, and each established a new carer benchmark on Wednesday night. Sadly, their terrific seasons will end this weekend.
With nothing left to play for, the Blackhawks decided it was time to see what a young defenseman could bring to the table. So the team recalled Dennis Gilbert from Rockford before Wednesday’s battle against the St. Louis Blues.
Gilbert, 22, had five goals and nine assists in 59 games with the IceHogs this season. He had been playing well lately, and took the NHL roster spot of Dylan Sikura; the Hawks sent Sikura and his zero goals back to Rockford on Tuesday. He wore number 39.
The only goal in the first period came off the stick of Toews.
The goal is the 35th of the season for Toews, setting a new career high for the future Hall of Famer. Kane and Drake Cagguila picked up assists on the marker.
Chicago held a 12-7 shot advantage after 20 minutes.
Vladimir Tarasenko tied the game 26 seconds into the second period because he kills the Blackhawks. Erik Gustafsson coughed up the puck and Tarasenko took care of the rest, as he has done so often in his career.
However, 13 minutes later Dominik Kahun threw a shot at the net that was redirected by Artem Anisimov. The tip beat Jake Allen for Anisimov’s 15th of the season.
After 40 minutes of hockey the Blackhawks had maintained their one-goal lead.
At 11:37 into the third period Patrick Kane did something special.
The goal gave Kane two points in the game and 107 on the season, establishing a new career high for one of the all-time great players in Blackhawks history.
David Perron brought the Blues back to within one 46 seconds later. Giving up goals quickly after scoring has been one of the (many) fatal flaws of this year’s Hawks team, and it bit them in the ass again on Wednesday.
But the Hawks were able to cling to their one-goal lead for nearly seven full minutes. A couple Blackhawks, including Kane, had chances to put the puck into the empty cage and seal the deal but failed on their attempts. And with Allen on the bench for the extra attacker, Tyler Bozak jammed a loose puck through Cam Ward to tie the game. There were 38 seconds remaining in regulation when Bozak scored.
So we headed to overtime because why not.
Brandon Saad had a great chance 2:20 into overtime but could not beat Allen. With 2:20 left in overtime Kane whiffed on a gorgeous opportunity during a 3-on-1, allowing the Blues to catch up with the play.
The Blues never got a great shot attempt on Ward in the overtime but Chicago couldn’t finish, so we got a shootout. Because, again, why not.
Ward stopped 37 of 40 in regulation and overtime. Allen stopped 35 of 38.
Toews made a deposit in the first round of the shootout for Chicago. Bozak was denied by Ward.
Kane’s attempt was turned aside by Allen in the second round. Ryan O’Reilly was also denied by Ward.
DeBrincat lost control of the puck and didn’t get a good shot on net in the third round. Taresenko was rejected by Ward and the Blackhawks emerged victorious.
Gilbert skated 12:46 in his debut.
Kane and Duncan Keith led Chicago with six shots on net each. Keith skated 27:40 and Gustafsson skated 25:51.
OTT- 16
LA- 11
NJ- 10
BUF- 8
DET- 6
NY- 5
ANA- 4
EDM- 3
VAN- 0
CHI- 2 10th pick
PHI- 2
MIN- 3
ARI- 4
FLR- 4
Not top 6 skill pick, but 9th is there. Need to stay ahead of 4 teams behind us.
For certain, there is no way under Q Gustafsson flourishes and grows into the player that he is, with room to still improve.
Imagine if numbskull Bowman had put Q out is his misery after last season/summer. Instead, a season literally thrown away to save his own behind. Bowman isn’t that dense, calculated moves signing dead lbs. Manning Kunitz and Ward (who looked like Ken Dryden compared to last year’s non Crawford goalie roulette). Q is then fired, a green coach with diapers on comes in, and eventually starts to make normal solid moves to improve the team — and make himself look smart at the same time.
Who was the one who blew up a 100 plus point team, and turned into a last place team two years in a row? He’s a selfish, smug guy. He needs to go.
Hawks PK almost cost them another game – it sent it to OT (the 3rd goal not withstanding) and Dahlstrom played the Blues player (Schenn I think) who scored on the STL PP terribly – not making any reasonable attempt to block the shot or challenge the shooter
Whoever the Hawks add in the off season they should also be good on the PK – it’s absolutely brutal – it cannot come up with a clutch PK ever it seems
Saw a stat from Lazerus I think regrading high danger chances against per 60 minutes for Men – 63,7,42,56,5 and 2 were all in the top 10 – 63 being the worst in the entire league for a D man with over 300 minutes played or something like that
Just wow – how do you do that as a group of 6? – some of the blame falls to the FWs no doubt but if there was ever any doubt about the Hawks needing some serious revamping of their blue line there shouldn’t be faced with those stats
It’s not gonna be a full make over in one year but it has to start this off season with a significant add on D plus Joki – that IMO is the minimum before October
Congrats to T and K on great years and great games from both
Also congrats to Glibert who I thought looked good – only one game I know but would like to see more in the remaining 2 games
Always nice to beat the Blues playoff lottery odds be damned!
that should be high danger chances against per 60 minutes for D men
Crazy bad stats you have there wrap. consider the tying goal where our Dman in front of the next leaves it to allow the easy chance and a tied score. Same crap as last time. Same pair. We do so much of this to ourselves. Geez, I was taught that the best place to score was from in front of the net. Seems Hawks Dmen prefer to leave that area whenever possible….
Wrap, I have been saying for months that unless the Hawks get a top 4 d-man next season, it will be more of same. One of Mitchell, Boq, or Beaudin will probably not be ready until near the end of the season. While things are looking up in 2-3 years, what do we do until then? Keith and Seabs are slowing down. Keith and Murphy are second pairing. Joki is not at first pairing skill yet. We have no sure 1 or 2 for next year.
Congrats to K&T. We savor their great play and hope they can stay in great shape and health, especially since next season may continue to be a struggle for trying to get back into contention.
And lets hope Santa Claus Bowman does not do something ridiculous like give Strome a $6.5 million / year contract with a no trade clause because then we are in real trouble. The Cat deserves a raise but I would hold off on Strome. Or at least wait until his first contract is over.
Great memories: Hawks draft Chad Krys in the 2nd round (45th) ahead of (D) Samuel Girard and (G) Carter Hart !
Iceman, only thing is we wouldnt have been a top 5 team this yr even if Bowman did that then. Sure we would be futher along with coach system and better record.
Most importantly we wouldnt have 4 blue chip draft players from 18 and 19 drafts, we would only have 3. By doing it the way Bowman did, and he better get what we need this summer or at least alot/most of it, we got top 5/10 pick and a free 35th pick both drafts.
That could be the most important part/key to reloading back to a top 5 teams again. The Four Horsemen and the two blue chip players we will get from this draft. Who knows.
The best the Hawks can finish in terms of draft position is tied with Anaheim for 7th/8th. The worst they can do is finish 14th. Currently at 10th. My guess is they probably finish 10-12th.
If they don’t end up winning a top 3 lottery pick depending on how bad their drafting position is, I would entertain the idea of trading the pick or trading down in the round if they can upgrade a position of need. Maybe swap picks with a playoff team and swap Anisimov for a faster center who can win face offs. Something like that.
I am looking forward to see what pick the Hawks end up getting and what kind of improvements Bowman can do this off season. Since it is clear he won’t be fired before the start of next season, I am looking forward to seeing what Bowman does to improve the roster. It should be an interesting offseason.
My prediction of 10-12 slot almost a month ago seems to be happening. You take away the first 30-35 games; and they still count-but this team has been a playoff level producing team since (quite comfortably).
That’s why I said it isn’t a bottom feeder team. For all it’s woes, and there are some glaring ones-especially the PK stats, it’s actually amazing they came this close. The timing of this is what’s tricky. Again they need to focus on the young core and hope the 2, 88, 19 and 50 group can stay relevant and productive.
Even the really good team like Tampa and perhaps a young Toronto have cap issues-decisions that will be interesting to navigate. Does Winnipeg or Nashville get a Cup while they are primed? The Hawks made things work for 5 or 6 years but it takes a lot of good luck, specific players and organizational thinking to make it produce the desired results.
What was a one off was the Vegas model-it gives hope to many organizations-the right coach, really good goalie and the right style/pace with everyone on the same page.
I would say 10th. That is ahead of PHI. It can happen, but every other spot would require us win both games and other teams to lose both games. That prob/might only happen with one or two of the teams.
Excited is thing thing because were at the point where it we ve paid our dues.
Good to see Toews and Kane get their career highs in goals and points. Beating the Blues and playing potential spoiler always good.
Almost certainly will be 10-12 lottery finish. With tie breakers would need to gain 3 pts in 2 games to pass Flor and Ariz., and Canucks only team that can catch Blackhawks would need to gain 3 pts in 2 games to pass. Sitting 10th now with Flyers tied and own tiebreaker , same with Wild one point up, Blackhawks would need to finish a point ahead if those teams to move down.
Noonan agree on Vegas comment having, right coach and getting right players to make it work. They had alot pieces fall in their lap though, Florida’s blunders to give them 2/3 of their top line in Marchesault and Karlsson so they could keep Petrovic the biggest headscratcher.
Vegas is a team to watch in the playoffs IMO now that last year’s top line (as Ian described above) is now their 2nd line behind Stastny- Pacioretty – Stone
It is quite interesting that message board posters never mentioned Gilbert as being part of the solution to the Hawks’ defensive woes. In Colliton’s recent interview he stated that Gilbert “has been the best defenseman in Rockford.” He looked decent last night.
On the tying goal, it was worse than just the defense. How does Ward not have his pad on the ice when a guy is standing there hacking? Ward played well but it seemed that it should be instinctive to have that pad sealed to the ice in a situation like that.
Once again, Kane over 23 minutes. A very puzzling situation. Kane’s backhand was SICK last night. Both on his goal and assist.
What do you do with Perlini and Ward? I would be willing to take a shot on Perlini, but the money is coming down. Offer him $1 mil and if someone wants to offer sheet Perlini, you probably have to let him go with the knowledge that he could be great if his head is right, but there is a good chance he won’t get it right. You could offer Ward $2 mil to stay. He played pretty well behind a bad defense. The goaltender decisions have to assume that Crow will miss part of next season, and hopefully that will be an inaccurate assumption.
No more meaningful hockey until October is tough to digest. But it was a fun season.
After a rough first couple shifts Gilbert did OK. He had 6 hits to lead the team which is something to hang his hat on. And … as expected he was just sent back down to Rockford to help them with their playoff push. It was a nice cup of coffee for him.
Kane with 2 beautiful backhand plays last night – but also had several un-Kane like plays on his forehand. We may never know but I’m convinced he’s got some injury that is hampering him from making pinpoint plays on his forehand that he normally makes.
I wouldn’t mind bringing back Ward as the backup goalie – mainly because there isn’t anyone else in the Hawks system better, which is a problem waiting to happen if Crawford goes down again. Maybe Nalimov in the KHL can be the guy but I hate pinning my hopes on a Russian currently playing in Russia (see Shalunov).
The guy I think can make the biggest step forward next season is Strome. The pass he made to Kane was right on the money and indicative of his vision and passing ability. If he can improve his skating and strength a little bit he can really have a monster career.
Wishes for last 2 games:
1. NO MORE POINTS
2. Strome goal so he hits 20 on the year
3. Gustafsson point so he hits 60 on the year
4. Two goals for Cat so he gets goal scoring bragging rights from Kane (again)
Agree on Ward possibly signed to a cheaper 1 year deal – gives Delia another year in RKF
Hawks will likely get a shot at either Center Trevor Zegras ( a Craig Button favorite),
Or Alex Turcotte in the first round, the hopefully nab another talented forward in the second round, perhaps somebody who has fallen just out of the first.
Most likely Zegras and Turcotte will be off the board before the 10th pick.
My concern is that Stan will take the best player available and that player will be Cole Caufield. Even if he has a chance to be a DeBrincat type scorer, I don’t think the Hawks should get smaller. Besides, the competition Caufield has faced isn’t as good as the competition Cat faced when he was putting up monster goal scoring numbers so even if his size wasn’t my concern I would be hesitant to project Cat-like success at the NHL level.
Nick Suzuki could still be there when 1st pick is up, not big but strong on the skates, solid, speedy skilled center, likes to shoot and playmaker too,be a pretty good pick i think.
Craig Albin Grewe a 6′ speedy scoring winger from Sweden, likes to drive the net. Was as high as mid to late 1st rd early in season picked to go in 40 to 45 range, should be scouted well by the Blackhawks.
Kaliyev went from maybe a top 10 pick to low 1st rder now, not sure what the reason is.
I would give Perlini a contract. I think he showed real upside and another season with Chicago, watching how serious 88, 19, 2,7, and 50 are about their craft might make Perlini realize his full potential. Disagree with JC’s doghouse routine the last 2 wseeks when the Hawks were fighting for a playoff spot. If someone deserved the doghouse it was Sikura. We do not need Ward who is an average goalie, small in size and 35 next season. Let’s pick up a proven backup who is a little younger until this GM drafts a real goalie prospect because Delia is not the answer either. Just watch him try to save pucks in Rockford!!!
Hawks need two free agent signings (a dman & a winger ). Bowman must also draft some forwards early in this draft and hope one can actually suit up next season. And please, sie and speed combined. No more Kahun and Sikura!
Agree to extend Perlini. Sign him for less than Panik though.
Agree considering Ward on a cheaper deal. Or someone similar. It would be nice to sign someone younger but young guys will likely require a multi year deal. We should be looking to sign a backup for one year.
Agree we need depth at forward but I have no clue what Hull’s problem with Kahun is. .5 PPG and +9 on a team with little scoring depth. He is part of the solution, not the problem.
Could be wrong, but I think VEG doesnt get past SJ this yr. WIN or NAS will be ready/rested for them, this yr, if they happen to get by SJ and CAL.
ER, I like Strome.
I like it a lot.
I ll have to check Turcotte. When I looked in OCT he was 7th and then in JAN he fell to 12th ish pick.
I guess Turcotte has a good 2nd half.
He is back up to 4, 6, 7, 7, 8, 8, 10, avg. mock pick is 7.5 pick.
Seeing Zegras, Boldy, Broberg-D 6/3 200 in the 10th area,
and Walls Kayliyev around 11-14th.
Looks like Walls Kaliyev or Boldy 6-0/175
(Dach or Turcotte would be the size we want)
Thats the difference bweteen going 7-0/4-6/5-0-1 to make playoffs and getting one of the larger FW/C draft blue chip player. Looks like another mid size FW. Boldy is 6-0 175 could get to 190-200. Ahhhh.
I am going with that we are going to get the lottery pick and get 2nd or 3rd pick.
I’m ok giving Bowman another shot here. It’s possible that some of the bad pickups and trades of the past were under the influence of Q, right? I’m not saying he hasn’t made some questionable decisions, but in the Colliton era, he’s acquired Strome, Perlini, and Cagguila. Gustafsson has flourished. I mean, I think at least through the beginning of next year we should see what kind of moves he makes. How many times did he acquire a player who showed promise only to be on the bench every night? Would Kempny have been sat under Colliton? Perhaps there’s more of an understanding/plan between Bowman and Colliton than there was between him and Q.
Gander – that was a conversation I tried to get started on the last thread but it didn’t happen. With the Q era, who was making the personnel decisions: Q, Bowman, or both?
I felt based on the acquisitions at the time that it was originally Bowman feeling his way with Q. Then it became to please Q after many of the players picked up sat in the press box. Seems Bowman was unable to get the players to fit what Q wanted. Meanwhile, we burned a bunch of draft picks at TDL attempting to win cups (understandably) that is now haunting us.
I am not a supporter or critic of Bowman. But I do believe it is time to shape a better hockey team than has been done in the past 3-5 years. We have a decent start with the in-season pickups of Strome, Caggiula and Perlini. If we don’t get some building blocks out of the draft and FA season, then I will be looking for the end of Bowman’s tenure. For me, Christmas time should be a fair point to evaluate.
I think there is zer0 chance it happens but if Bowman isn’t fired on Sunday he will be around another season. Stopping the bleeding on defence should the biggest immediate concern, draft for the future. Will Nalimov get the vote of confidence and get a shot at backup or is Ward or somene else signed for there needs addressed too. Kubalik and resigning rfas and some tweaking and bottom 6 adds, may be the extent of fwd moves, either through rookies or inexpensive ufas, trades etc.
SS your point on Bowman and Q use of players is just human factor, Q i would say identified needs and Bowman got them, sometimes it works and other times not so good. This years ufas was probably Fo saying no big money or long term deals happening so maybe grudgingly by Q but that was the result. Kempny never got Qs confidence and really, he never realized his potential until he got to Wash, similar to Strome this year with Blackhawks. When coach and Gm are completely on the same page, then you have to wonder if the coach has final say in roster, differences of opinions although frustrating are a good thing.
Agree with SS. Xmas seems the proper time to analyze Bowman. Whatever the dynamic was with Q it is now clearly different with JC.
We do need D help but also defensively solid forwards. For all the good that Dcat, Strome and Kane do for us on offense, they are liabilities defensively. Our forwards are as much of the d problem as our D men. I’d like to see a solid center and forward added to the third line and pair them with 24 as a quasi shutdown line. Bump Saad to #1line and drop 91 to the 4th with Kampf.
HO, we obviously pretty much agree on needs next year. If AA stays, instead of Debrincat, maybe Kurashev fit in with him and Kane in Panarins old spot. Debrincat with Strome and maybe Kubalik, a winger who it appears to like to play in slot area in offensive zone, whereas Strome prefers to play on outside more, might be a good mix. Saad back with Toews and Cagguila with them. Kampf centering, Kahun and Entwistle might be a good combo at some point next year. There is still Perlini, Sikura and maybe Highmore and Hayden who can play some too.
I can’t see Bowman not getting another full year, especially with moves he was able to make during the season this year.
After one night, to ER’s wishes for last 2 games:
1. NO MORE POINTS – FAIL
2. Strome goal so he hits 20 on the year – ACCOMPLISHED
3. Gustafsson point so he hits 60 on the year – ACCOMPLISHED
4. Two goals for Cat so he gets goal scoring bragging rights from Kane (again) – 88 scored twice…