Blackhawks Blank Red Wings, Win Preseason Opener 2-0
Patrick Sharp and Ben Smith scored second period goals 69 seconds apart and Corey Crawford stopped all 19 shots he faced as the Blackhawks started their 2013 preseason with a 2-0 victory over the Detroit Red Wings.
The Hawks started the game with Teuvo Teräväinen between Patrick Kane and Bryan Bickell, but the lines changed frequently. Teräväinen played well with the puck and created space effectively, but won only six of 15 faceoffs. In just under 18 minutes of ice time, he was credited with one shot on net, one missed shot and one takeaway.
Jimmy Hayes continued his strong camp with a very good performance on Tuesday night. He skated only 12:32 in the game but was credited with one blocked shot, one hit, two takeaways and the primary assist on Smith’s goal; Smith had posted up in front of the Detroit net and redirected a Hayes shot from the point past Jonas Gustavsson.
Hayes, Smith and Jeremy Morin looked very comfortable skating with a number of different linemates. Morin spent some time with Sharp and Drew LeBlanc in the second period, and had the primary assist on Sharp’s game-winning goal.
Brandon Saad had an interesting night. He was credited with two hits and a blocked shot in 15:23, but how he was used was more intriguing than his stat line. Saad was used primarily as a center, and won only four of 14 faceoffs in the game. With the Hawks spending only four minutes short-handed in the game, Saad led all Chicago forwards with 1:31 on penalty kill duty. He also spent 2:18 on the power play.
That Blackhawks power play was in mid-season form, failing to score in six opportunities.
Also in mid-season form were a few of the Hawks’ veterans. Patrick Kane showed off the puck handling skills displayed in his viral video earlier in the week on a number of occasions, while Marcus Kruger led the Hawks with four takeaways in the game. Kruger was also credited with an assist on Smith’s goal and two hits in the game, but won only four of ten faceoffs.
Also of note, Joakim Nordstrom looked good in a couple short-handed shifts next to Kruger during the second period. Ryan Stanton also had a nice game with three hits in over 20 minutes of ice time.
Stupidity from Detroit didn’t take long. Forward Teemu Pulkkinen, only six seconds into his first shift and less than three minutes into the game, ran Hawks defenseman Mike Kostka into the boards from behind and was assessed a boarding major and a game misconduct. Kostka spent a few moments down on the ice before leaving, but did not return to the game.
In the second period, Detroit forward Mitchell Callahan followed the lead of Pulkkinen and received a boarding major and a game misconduct for a dangerous hit on Sheldon Brookbank in front of the Hawks’ bench. Brookbank was not hurt on the play, but Brandon Bollig quickly defended his teammate and served a minor roughing penalty for his efforts.
Though listed as active for the game, Andrew Shaw and the Broadhurst brothers did not appear.
Before the game, the Hawks announced a number of roster moves. Forward David Gilbert was assigned to the Rockford IceHogs while defensemen Dillon Fournier and Travis Brown and goaltender Brandon Whitney were assigned to their respective junior teams. Chicago also released forwards Wade Brookbank and Pat Mullane and defensemen Joe Gleason, Jared Nightingale and Bobby Shea from training camp.
It was hard to get a feel for how anyone played by listening to the WGN radio broadcast. Normally I love to listen to John and Troy because John does a very good job of describing the play by play and Troy provides excellent color analysis … but not tonight. Without exageration, a good half of the time the play was ongoing, they were yammering about just about everything except the actual game action. I know it’s only preseason and they probably thought they should catch up their listeners to all the rule changes and how Ovechkin doesn’t like tucking his jersey in, etc. I’m sure it was an anomoly and they will be back to providing stellar radio broadcasts next game … but man was it frustrating tonight.
So thank you for providing some player assessments because I certainly didn’t get any from listening to the radio broadcast tonight.
Ben Smith, Jeremy Morin, Jimmy Hayes and Ryan Stanton all accorded themselves very well. Obviously Kruger had a big night as well.
There are some highlights and interviews from the game tonight on the Blackhawks website…
I was at the game. Stanton looks ready to me. Also Teravainen looks like a clear difference maker on the ice. Why not keep him in North America. You get better by playing with better players. He was skating circles around people.
Pete: Teräväinen has been very good indeed. It´s only sensible for him to stay, if he can get good minutes at NHL. With current Blackhawks roster he propably won´t end up there. So it´s good for him to develop more in Finnish league, where he gets more responsibility and ice time.
ESPN asked “experts” from around the globe to rank the top Goalies, D-Men, and Forwards in the league. I don’t know who these experts are, but they ranked 100 forwards and the Blackhawks had five on the list. Saad was in the 70’s. Pretty impressive. Sometimes I wonder if we are messing with him too much (i.e. having him play center), but I also get that if he doesn’t play center he will be a 3rd liner which probably does him a disservice. I really like his game.
Peter, Not sure I agree that Saad on the 3d line is a disservice to him. In many ways, the team goes as the 3d line goes. A strong 3d line that is defensively responsible does wonders for the 1st and 2cd line.
Of our “top” 6 (Zues being 2C) only Toews and Kane are capable of logging over 18-20 minutes a game over an 82 game schedule. And most teams have this issue. A 3d line with the talent to consistently log 14-15 minutes a game keeps 1 & 2 fresh for the later stages of close games. Not saying that’s perfect but it is a huge consideration.
There are options at 2C. I hope Kruger gets his chance but he also makes a hell of a 4th line centerpiece.
And, by the way, a 3d line of Saad / Shaw / Smith or Hayes will score some goals
Mike,
I don’t disagree at all and love a strong 3rd line. Like you, I think our 3rd line last year helped during the regular season and was a juggernaut in the post season. Other teams just didn’t have the horses we did. I guess what I mean is, I hope Saad isn’t burned or bummed by what some might consider a demotion when he had a pretty good rookie campaign. I don’t think of it as a demotion, but some might and on some teams it would be. But the Hawks 3rd line has been pretty valuable so hopefully he will feel like he can still very much contribute to the team.
Peter/Mike I hear what you are both saying…Saad has earned the right to be in the Top 6, but is a great fit on a devastating 3rd line with Shaw and Morin/Hayes. To be honest, I really don’t like him being pushed into the 2nd line centre role, and would prefer him stay at wing…we will see.
Saad will see time in the top 6. No way that Sharp, Hoss , Zues or Toews is gonna play all 82 games. Bicks will have a letdown somewhere along the line and will miss some games as well. Saad will be a big part of whatever happens……
Again Mike, I agree…Saad is such a good 2 way player, and strong on the puck, that he can contribute anywhere in the lineup…that 3rd line with Saad, Shaw and Morin or Hayes would be deadly IMO…
I think a third line centered by Kruger or Handzus with the wings of Saad and Morin is quite a potent line combo. I’m still hoping Pirri is the 2nd line guy. Paired with Kane and Sharp…very dangerous. Toews would have the luxury of Bickell and Hossa.
4th line (my ideal) would be Leblanc centering for Andrew Shaw and Ben Smith. Interchanged with Bollig where needed. Having Winchester adds to the incredible depth on this team. Does Beach fight with Bollig for a spot on the roster? So much to think about!!!
it sure is nice to have decisions like this to make.
I know Q wants Saad for the 2C. it does enable him to play Morin and Hayes on the third line with Shaw. But I just don’t see Saad being able to play 2c. I could be wrong, I am frequently.
They are going to need the young guys to play mins to keep the vets fresh. I think they could send out;
Bickel Toews Kane
Sharp Pirri Hossa
Saad Kruger Shaw
Morin/Bollig Zues Hayes//Smith
Agree w/ Sr. Brad- Saad is so versatile… but I prefer him on 3rd… I still think he tries to hard and Puck explodes on him from time to time trying to play w/ 10/81.
With that said- I am not against Bix playing down on 3rd either.
lastly- I am really liking the idea/concept of Nordstrom/Kruger/Hayes , Zus, Smith, 52
Nordstrom is the quickest most agile skating prospect (besides TT)… and would fit really well w/ 16 in the forechecking role left by 67. Q likes these types in this role!
29-19-88
10-26-81
20-65-11
28-16-22/fa
I like 20 or 29 on 3rd at all times.
I don’t see Handzus being a top six contributor for 82 games. If he shifts w/ Hossa & Sharp, it will be occasional; he’s a bottom line player at this stage of his career.
The trick with placing Saad in the lineup is I really like the idea of a third line of Morin-Shaw-Hayes. Both Hayes and Morin have had good preseasons and have shown enough in past NHL call-ups to play that role. If Bickell is your LW1, that means one of Saad/Sharp has to be your 2C if Saad is a top-9 forward (which he is).
Of course all of this discussion is leaving poor Brandon Pirri on the sidelines. His injury couldn’t have come at a worse time.
Yea, Iwas thinking 40games & playoffs, not fulltime. For bulk of season, like everyonelse said… Whoever plays center for playoffs, it would be nice to have a strong 4th with Kruggs, Handz, Smith.
Clendening- No! not ready for Prime time…
If Hoss is gone… this team is really going to struggle!
Only strength is D group and D speed…
The forward’s speed will be way down until they play TT, Danault, and Nordstrom.
And these kids are 1-2 years away. ( haven’t seen Ross skate enough- hopefully he is quick)
Wall….agreed, Hossa will play no more than 50 games this season. It is too bad but realistic. The question is will a right shot like Ben Smith be a 2R replacement. Another weakness in the Farm system is a lack of right handed shots. Brad I agree, Zues is a bottom 6 at this point. My only fear is that the second line will be up against many teams checking line. Lack of physicality could hurt that line.
Bicks / Toews / Kane
Sharp / Kruger / Hossa
Saad /Shaw/ Smith
Morin / Pirri / Hayes
Zues
Kieth / Seabrook
Hammer / Oduya
Leddy / Rosy
Stanton