Blackhawks Beat Panthers In Shootout
Another third period lead evaporated, but the Blackhawks were able to score twice in the shootout to take two points from the Panthers in Florida on Tuesday night.
Jonathan Toews and Bryan Bickell scored in the second period to give the Hawks a 2-0 lead and the Blackhawks appeared to have control of the game at the end of 40 minutes.
But two Florida goals in less than three minutes in the middle of the third tied the game, and 65 minutes of hockey weren’t enough for a decision.
Tim Thomas started the game and actually played fairly well, stopping 25 of 27 shots. But he appeared to tweak his groin while blocking a shot from Andrew Shaw with three minutes left in regulation and he left the ice. Young Jacob Markstrom came in and faced more shots in the shootout (three) than he did in 7:41 of game time (two).
Markstrom stopped one shot in regulation and one in the overtime period, but allowed goals to Toews and Patrick Sharp in the shootout.
Toews won 15 of 21 faceoffs and had two hits in the game to lead the Blackhawks. Andrew Shaw won five of 13 faceoffs and led the Hawks with five hits.
Sheldon Brookbank played one of his best games in a Chicago sweater, earning almost 20 minutes of ice time in the victory. He was credited with only one blocked shot and two hits, but broke up a 2-on-1 and played the puck well. Because Brookbank and Nick Leddy played well on the Hawks’ third pair, the highest ice time total on the blue line was 23:27 for Duncan Keith.
Keith had one assist in the game, but was minus-two with two giveaways. One of Keith’s turnovers led to the game-tying goal, an unassisted tally from Dmitry Kulikov.
On special teams, the Hawks killed the only Panthers power play of the night and were successful in converting one of their two advantages.
Corey Crawford stopped 20 of 22 in the victory, and improved his season record to 5-1-2. Nikolai Khabibulin is expected to start in Tampa Bay on Thursday night.
Kane REALLY needs to “simplify” (QUIT FUCKING AROUND!!) his approach in the shootouts.
2 pts – GO HAWKS!!
After 9 games there are some trends with the Hawks early on that can be reasonably commented upon…first, at 6-1-2 and the one loss coming with 30 seconds left in the game, its safe to say that the Hawks are a VERY good NHL team…having said that, they are far from perfect, and there are issues…
The 2nd line is an issue…Kane contributes on the PP…Sharp contributes in a variety of ways and lately in the shootout, but not as part of that 2nd line…and after a good start, Handzus has hit a wall in his last 2 games…Florida all night long got confidence and gained control of the play when our 2nd line was on the ice…without the puck, Kane and Sharp chase and Handzus is too slow to create turnovers, and too slow to jump into the play when Kane and Sharp create turnovers…which isn’t fair to either sniper…nothing against Zus, but he’s being asked to play a role that he isn’t cut out for. Its time to either promote Kruger or Shaw, or give Brandon Pirri a legitimate attempt at this key position…Zus isn’t the guy…again, nothing against him…
Duncan Keith is struggling out of the gate and to some extent so is Seabrook…tonight was evident again, unforced turnovers and difficulty clearing the zone were consistent when this pair was on the ice…not so with Hammer/Oduya or Leddy/Brookbank…its the $12 million dollar duo…and who says the Keith can’t hit a target right now…that pass to the Florida DMan was perfectly on the tape and set him up for a beautiful one timer…at least his accuracy is coming around…Keith has actually set a trend over the last 3 years of starting slow, but last year he came around, and its hoped that he will do so again this year, but honestly, how much better is Keith right now than say Adam Clendening? At least Clendening can lead our PP…its early and too soon to panic, but Keith needs to earn his paycheque.
I hadn’t noticed it until tonight but Bollig’s game has dropped off since his good start…he is fighting the puck once again and killing any momentum that Pirri or Smith seemed to generate and that’s VERY unfair to those 2 kids trying to permanently make this team…I hope Bollig sits in Tampa and someone else gets a shot on that line as he’s not helping right now, and we don’t need his physical presence at the moment…its unfair to say someone like Morin in Rockford not getting this ice time in the show…
Toews isn’t bad, by any stretch, but he’s not been himself either…clearly he is still recovering from his repaired injuries and being dead tired…he hasn’t found his legs, and it shows as part of the first line…that’s a group that should dominate on the ice and they haven’t…again, Toews has played well, so have Hossa and Saad, but they’re not dominating as of yet…
Consider these things and the fact that we are 30 seconds away from being undefeated in regulation, and it bodes very well for the Hawks…CC had NO chance on either goal, and looks very BIG in the net…I don’t think we are going to have any goalie issues this season…now, I just hope Q gives someone else a shot as the 2nd line centre…the 3rd line is dominating, and we can control games if they first two lines get rolling…
The pattern that I see coming into focus is that the Hawks opponent are (1) fired up to play the reigning champs, and (2) have noticed that the Hawks aren’t scoring very well and are giving up 3rd period leads on a regular basis – therefore the Hawks find themselves in a battle late into every game because thier opponent know that if they keep coming the Hawks will cough up the lead. It’s kind of like the killer instinct in reverse. As for the Hawks, they’re falling into a self-fulfilling prophecy syndrome because they start playing tighter late in games trying not to lose instead of playing to their strength which is to attack.
The good news is that most of the games have been against inferior East Conference teams and they’ve been able to eek out wins. When they start playing top teams it’s doubtful this pattern of play will result in 2 points for the Hawks. Another piece of good news is that the Hawks have the personnel to play better than they have and hopefully that starts soon.
I hope the ice is better for the Tampa Bay game than it was tonight. Bad ice affects finesse and puck possession teams more than other teams because the rely on precision passes for breakouts and when they can’t breakout with speed, then it really limits their effectiveness and games end up looking like the game tonight.
Brad, could not agree more and ER the horrible ice is an equalizer for inferior teams. Like I have said before, I am glad our schedule has been relatively easy so far. Shake off the SC summer, solidify the lines and D pairings and get to it.
As for Bollig, not sure what the Hawks are doing. He has averaged about 6 minutes the past 3 games. So far the Hawks have not spread out ice time like a team with a lot of depth. Just look at last nights box score.
I love Zues and what he brings to the Hawks as a team mate. But he is a 40 – 50 game player who is playing every night. He is tired and does not do Sharp and Hossa justice…and he knows it. It is time to give Kruger 4-5 games at 2C. Zues and Pirri can rotate 4C for a few games. If Kruger doesn’t work out, give Pirri 4 or 5 games at 2C. Trade if neither fills the bill. I am not in favor of Shaw at 2C because he is a grinder and a banger.
20 / 19 / 88
10 / 16 / 81
29 / 65 / 28
Morin / 37 / 22
I agree with everyone on 26, I think he should be 4th center. If Pirri can stick for more than 10games, then I think he gets a chance there. Until then I think were going to see 20-19-81 on that line. I like always having 16 & 65 on 3&4 lines… It would be nice to Pirri play more games on 2nd line then just when we have backtobacks (26).
Just like 10 of 12 on road to start ’13 season, all these games against non-top8 teams this season could be a blessing in disguise again. In addition to sorter summer, longer season (wks later than usual I late june), hangover/other teams best effort, etc. I think one thing is that in ’13 season we had guys playing n Europe for over 2 mths or practicing here, so everyone already had the dust, rust and kinks knocked off already… So did all the other teams, but it makes a difference.
Bicks looks way better on 3rd line, keep him there.
20-19-81
10-37-88
29-16-65
11-26-28
Glad to see Bicks pot another. Like I said the other day, Bicks seem to be at his best when he can skate hard into the net, get a puck on the goalie and clean up if needed. When he is with 19/88, they are looking for “cleaner” shots (if that makes sense), so he is just asked to sit in front of the goalie. Only problem is that by the time he is in position, we get one shot and then the opposing team clears the zone.
Again, I’m really excited to be going to the game tomorrow. Most excited to see 20 and 8. I have been chomping at the bit to see them in person. Living in Florida meant only getting 1 or 2 shots a year and then not getting a shot last year, so im ready for some hockey.
As far a Bollig, i think he has improved his game. Sure he may have games where he regresses back, but overall I like what he brings. That said, we dont need what he bring for 82 games. We need it vs LA, vs STL, vs PHI, etc… teams with enforcers where we need a big body presence on the bench. Not so much vs a team like Tampa. Only thing is that the Hogs are in Toronto tonight after playing yesterday, so there is no way anyone gets called up to play tomorrow. If i was goin out to predict the future, i would say we should see some call ups over the weekend though. we play 3 games in 4 days (Saturday, Monday, Tuesday) followed by a Back-to-back (Sat/Sun) the following weekend. I expect Morin/Hayes to get a game or 2 in there.
ER- Re: the ice… Florida seemed to possess the puck very well (as well as any tean vs, Hawks this year… on same shitty ice)
Pirri -has earned a longer look… but 10/37/88 scares me vs. any team that can forecheck and pounds boards… Pirri showed why he is not the long term answer w/ some weak board play… he is a sniper and still could work w/ 20/81 helping keep the puck in O or neutral zone!
McNiell and Danault had decent games for Hogs last nite… maybe they will be ready sooner than later…
either way- Hawks O zone chemistry just looks off…
and even worse- Hawks are having trouble getting out of D zone WAY to much compared to last year! And they haven’t played many GOOD teams yet!!!
Here’s the problem we have right now…
Quenneville has seen some success during the regular season w/ 19 & 88 separated. And, if we’re honest, trying to match-up with those two on separate lines is a lose-lose for every team in the league because most don’t have four elite defensemen to handle the 40 minutes those two are on the ice if they’re apart. Throw Sharp & Hossa into the mix and it’s a migraine for even the best.
BUT
The line of Saad-Toews-Hossa is fantastic. Love it. And it works. So we’ll leave it alone… However, that leaves the center need between Sharp & Kane. And, as many have pointed out (including wall most recently), a 10-37-88 line isn’t the best fit. IMO, the best position for Pirri to succeed in the top six would be between Hossa and Saad, both of whom are defensively responsible. But it’s hard to justify breaking up the top line that’s been so good for most of last year and into this season with an experiment….
Pirri is playing well, and deserves credit for mixing into the flow of Quenneville’s line roulette effectively. The points are coming in a secondary role, which is all the Hawks can ask for at this point.
Tim, have fun at the game tonight…and I agree, Bollig should play, but as a rotational player I think…
Wall, you are right with Pirri…if he goes to the 2nd line, he should centre Sharp and Hossa and let Kane skate with Toews and Saad…
Last night Rockford lost in OT, but gained another point and played pretty well on the road…but 3 guys had BIG games last night…Clendening, Ross and McNeil…Dylan Olsen continues his excellent play, he has resurrected his game…but the big news last night is that Ross and McNeil (often on the same line with Danault) threw their weight around a lot and scored goals…McNeil and Ross looked very, very good…Clendening, same old…he just keeps rolling…
Carruth had a great game in his pro debut with a SO win for Toledo…suddenly the Hawks are goaltending heavy…and TT broke out for Jokerit with 3 assists in a 4-2 win…
Those are excellent observations Tab, and it will be interesting to see what the Hawks do with the lines if Pirri gets his shot as the 2nd line centre…a line of Sharp, Kane and Pirri is too small and won’t be able to take people off the puck in our defensive zone, thus will give up a lot of scoring chances…but add, as you say, Hossa to the mix or Saad, and that’s a good 2 way line…and I agree, I loved seeing Toews with Saad and Hossa last night, but a line of Toews, Kane and Saad would be mighty good as well…
Sorry, to follow up on McNeil, after watching him last night, I have no doubts that he will make it to the show…I think Wall was a little skeptical over the last 2 years about Mark, but I don’t think he has to be worried anymore, the kid’s got game, and his game is power with hands…and if Ross continues to show hands like last night, he’s a shoe-in as well…
Nice stat from the Hawks’ official Twitter account this morning: Through nine games this year, Chicago has trailed for 4:57, or 0.88% of the time (560:00 of total playing time).
Brad- I hope I am wrong about McNeill… and honestly- he did skate better this pre-Seas compared to last year’s camps… but 2 things — I assume he has been playing Wing
w/ Danault (or has Danault been W)? 2nd- Like Pirri he just isn’t top 6 material…
Pirri can finish (I always knew that)- the rest of game is very average.
McNeill – still could be a welcome sight (assuming he progresses) on bottom 6…
And hopefully he progresses sooner- cuz bottom 6 is much thinner than last year w/o 25/67/36!!!!
Also- TT 1 G, 1 A yesterday!!! 5 points last 2 games.
IMO- Hawks are hoping 1 of 3 (17,6, Rosey) play well enough to be traded/dumped near dead line and They can buy a 1 yr. rental for 2nd line C position. Perhaps package w/ Pirri… or perhaps move Pirri to Wing.
Thanks Tab for the usual excellent game recap, and to everyone else for taking time to express educated opinions about Blackhawk hockey. Some good comments about line possibilities from everyone. Zus clearly is slowing down his fleet line-mates, but has value for his smarts and experience. He can’t help being old and slow on an otherwise fast team. I would like to see what Pirri can do for an entire game at 2C, but Kruger could do alright there as well. Morrison’s combos work for me. It doesn’t matter what we think. Q will keep the shuffle on because that is what he does, as hard as it is to understand sometimes. The offense is generating plenty of good scoring chances. The guys are going to fill it up big one of these days. It seems every game we are one tally away from just blowing the games wide open. I’ll take the points though along with the Tums in the 3rd period.
I am really liking the play from Hammer. He is actually our most consistent back line guy. Makes good decisions, has excellent vision of the ice, and seems very much in control. Pairing with Oduya is very strong. Seabs and Keith have their moments where you just think WTF? That pass/assist Duncs threw out there last night in the 3rd was rough although it might have been deflected right to the other guys stick. Big games though 7 and 2 are proven money players. No worries there. Brookbank actually had a decent game last night, and played with more poise. Barring bad injury though that is Rozy’s roster spot as we move on. He still plays a pretty smart level of defense. Leddy keeps developing and looks like he also is gaining some confidence. Love to watch that guy start rushes up the ice.
Regarding the Bollig question, I see his skill set better this year, but he needs to work over opposition d men more regularly. As stated by Tim G though, Bollig’s real worth
is when we skate against the torpedo squads. Like it or not, he is our enforcer. Bickell needs to play with some edge as well, but in a long season I am not going to cry about this stuff in late October. Shaw for that matter not only aggravates every team we play against, but he is creating his fair share of offensive opportunities whomever he plays with. Shaw and Bickell really are developing some chemistry playing together, especially when we have possession in the offensive zone behind the goal line.
Presently, we are not as deep as last year, but you can’t lose Fro and Stahlberg speed without a mild team throttle reduction. Cap space and free agency makes it impossible to keep a group together for very long. I think Rockford will provide enough bodies that will skate hard for a quality 4th line, but we have to wait and see how this evolves. A strong 4th line is a key component in winning a Stanley Cup.
Hate shootouts, like ties, but Corey was pretty good last night not only during the shootout, but sharp throughout the game. He looks confident in his movements.
Hope we blow up the Bolts next. I’ll bet Hawks fans will number at least 20% of the gate for this one. It’s no wonder other teams hate us. Great team on the ice with large vocal numbers of fans in tow. Just remember everyone. When we go to road games we are visitors in someone’s house. Treat those fans with respect and you should get respect in return. Act like an obnoxious fool and be careful what you receive.
Let’s Go Hawks!
Um.. when did 16 start winning faceoffs.. or am I hallucinating?
As usual, great observations and comments, boys. I love reading this blog. I’m looking at this from a different angle, though. I realize that our top 2 lines are the best in the league, but the reason the Hawks are so good is because our 3rd and 4th lines skate and forecheck so well. Top to bottom, the Hawks are as solid a team as there is in the NHL.
My thought here is that when everyone goes to the Olympics, our top 2 lines will be tired and overworked when they come back to the NHL schedule. But our 3rd and 4th lines will be rested and ready to dominate as the schedule progresses. If Q schedules rest and maintenance days for the proper players, we could be looking at a repeat Stanley Cup champion.
Even when this team plays bad, they find a way to get a win. They have great character and grit. I love this team!!
Wall, McNeil has played exclusively on the wing, and Danault at Centre…Danault has been more up and down, and McNeil has been very consistent…really the last 3 games tell me that McNeil is a Top 6 winger in the NHL…he’s smart, disciplined, and very, very strong…especially on the puck…you can’t move him off of it…plus he has the force to knock players off the puck, which is hugely important to the Hawks…based on what I have seen thus far in Rockford, its Morin, Clendening, Hayes, McNeil and Ross in that order that are going to help us in the show…I respectfully think you are “inaccurate” on McNeil’s future…I think he is going to turn out to be a great pick…
As for TT, and what’s going to happen with our 2nd line centre spot, if Pirri doesn’t reach out and grab it, TT will later this season…he’s too good to let rot with Jokerit and their problems in Europe…he’ll be here before the end of the season.
Brad-
re: TT- unless he goes scoring/domination or Hawks are badly injured… don’t see Hawks wasting 1 yr. ELC on bringing him in for 20 games…
re: Hayes- he would be decent in some systems ( or better w/ 19/81- then again who wouldn’t)… but I see his lack of skating agility as an issue on 3rd-4th lines! Needs to have the puck- and not be chasing it!
I would rank several others – including his brother ahead of Jimmy.
Seems like 16 has learned something from this Perrault guy!
Have admittedly only seen 2 McNeil games this year but don’t see anything in his play that would suggest top six potential. He’s a floater (much like J.Hayes) who does nothing to impose his will on a shift. His game against the Wolves last Friday was totally invisible. (no empty net goals don’t count)
Also, Morin needs big club ice time. He dominates but then gets bored. It’s clear he has nothing to gain in the AHL except maybe a bad attitude. I don’t see why trying him 20 games early in the year would be so dangerous to the Hawks. At worst, you would finally know what you have in him as a player
re 4 , love him but the guy has got to stop giving the puck away so often, his giv/tak away
is pretty rough. Love his effort, great shot blocker, moves well , plays with tons of heart but damn those turnovers. I DO like that we resigned him twice, he’s Hawk material no doubt