Blackhawks Blow Big Early Lead, Fall In OT
The Blues were shutout at home by the Kings on Tuesday night. Their flight to Chicago was forced to land in Milwaukee because of fog, and the team didn’t arrive at their hotel until nearly four o’clock in the morning.
Plenty of excuses.
But two big points in the division were on the line, and a rivalry game needed to be played in front of a national television audience.
In the opening period, the Blues looked like a team that had a list of excuses to choose from. Chicago scored five times and chased starting goaltender Brian Elliott from the crease twice. Rookie Marko Dano opened the scoring with his first as a member of the Blackhawks.
Alexander Steen scored 54 seconds later to tie the game, but from there the first period was dominated by the Blackhawks. Andrew Shaw, Teuvo Teravainen, Brent Seabrook and Patrick Kane would all score before the first intermission and the Hawks took a 5-2 lead to the room.
Unfortunately, the game still consisted of three periods. And the Hawks took the second stanza off.
The Blues, predictably, came out finishing their checks and the Blackhawks appeared to mentally put the game in neutral after owning the first period. Corey Crawford allowed three unanswered goals in the second, with David Backes tying the game with 33 seconds left in the second period. If the Blues were embarrassed in the first, they showed a lot of resolve in the second.
Perhaps the biggest improvement for the visitors was Jake Allen taking over between the pipes. He was flawless late in the first and through the second as his team rallied in front of him.
But the hitting caught up with them. Steve Ott was one of a few Blues skaters to take a run at Brent Seabrook in the second, and he suffered what was reported to be a potentially serious arm injury late in the second. He was helped to the room and did not return for the third.
Nine players between the two teams had a multi-point night before the third period began. So, of course, the scoring never developed in spite of a couple early period Steen penalties. And on to 3-on-3 overtime they went.
And with 66 seconds remaining in overtime, Vladimir Tarasenko ended the game. With the Blues coming back from a three-goal deficit after the first period, with little sleep, the night after being shutout at home.
The last time the Blues overcame a three-goal deficit to defeat the Blackhawks? 1981.
After we called him out earlier this week, Shaw had a strong performance. He won seven of nine at the dot and posted two points – tripling his season output to date – with a goal and an assist in 15:17 on the ice. Shaw was not credited with a hit on the game, but stayed out of the penalty box.
Jonathan Toews won 18 of 27 faceoffs in 22:57, but was minus-two in the game. Teravainen had two points in 19:58 while being credited with just two shots on net. Kane finished the game tied for the team lead with Viktor Svedberg with five shots on net. Kane skated 24:50.
Dano skated only 8:53 but was credited with two blocked shots and one hit. The shift that led to the game’s opening goal was impressive from the entire “kid line.” Ryan Hartman made a good, strong play with the puck to set Dano up for the score; Hartman blocked one shot and was credited with two hits and one takeaway with the first period assist.
Three Hawks defensemen – Seabrook, Niklas Hjalmarsson and Trevor van Riemsdyk – skated more than 24 minutes in the game. Trevor Daley (12:47) and Erik Gustafsson (12:33) were the lowest ice time recipients in the loss; Svedberg skated 19:05.
Crawford finished the night with six goals allowed against 29 shots. He has had better nights – many this season – and the second period was one he’d undoubtedly like to forget.
Allen allowed one goal, a power play goal to Kane immediately after coming into the game (again) late in the first period, against 28 shots over the final 46 minutes.
The Hawks host the Devils at the United Center on Friday night.
Let’s call it like it is — Tab put the whammy on Crawford with the immediate prior post. This loss falls squarely on Tab. Thanks a lot.
What the heck was that? Don’t imagine Q is too happy after that. I really felt like Crawford was off after that 2nd goal in the 1st and maybe Darling should have gone in…not sure if it would have made any difference but it was out there for all to see. Suppose you almost have to give him the benefit and believe he will simply settle in as usual but it sure didnt feel right. After the 5 1st period goals I thought my prediction of a 14 goal game or something way crazy like that was on track to becoming real. Nice that Dano got one. Kane continues to stay up with the leaderboard. He is going for it this year and barring any injuries he will do it. Crawford will regroup. We need points against these clowns and the entire Central. Supreme bummer that McDavid is out just as they are upcoming against us in the schedule…man it must just suck to be an Oilers fan. What a blow.
The Big Swede is looking better each week!
If Hartman taps in the 2 on 1 from Kero, Hawks probably win.
Wow, unfortunate collapse. Early November hockey I suppose.
Observations:
1. Just awful game from Crow. Not sharp at all. Especially on goals four and five.
2. Those two power plays with Steen in the box were the writing on the wall. You had a feeling things were not going to end well after that lackadaisical effort. You have to step on their damn throat when you have the opportunity.
3. Agree that Svedberg has improved significantly. His timing and positioning are much better at the blue line. On offense, he puts shots on goal but they lack steam. TVR made a spectacular play laying his body out in front of Crawford on a Blues shot.
4. Panarin is still playing well but he is starting to look for the perfect pass instead of putting the puck on goal. Perhaps getting stuffed on a few breakaways recently has made him gun shy.
5. Kero looked like he belonged. If Q has patience with the “Kid Line” I think it will pay off.
6. I don’t know about you but it sure looks like Teuvo can “fit” on that second line. I guess we can put that BS to rest about how he doesn’t fit anywhere and should be traded.
7. That wrister by Shaw on the penalty shot surprised me more than the Blues Goalie. He really snapped it off.
Am I the only one who notice that kane’s defence seemed to improve? I’ve ben watching hos +/- for the past years and now he’s on +9 with 8 Goals and 10 passes. I Love the way he’s been putting last summer behind him and plays really good hockey.
A little worried about toews with -2 tonight but you cant doubt Toews. I know he will step up.
Swedish keyboard so im sorry IF My spelling seem to be all but american!
Well… I guess every season there’s a game like this… one you lose when you shouldn’t.
That being said i prefer the 1-0 games they were posting 2 weeks ago. Nothing puts me off more than puffy defensive play.
I guess it’s a positive sign they can shut down top teams one week and score numerous goals against other teams the next week.
Early season Hawks hockey… it’s always something new… I’m convinced it’s all by Coach Q design.
TT- does fit with skilled players… not 29 and another $800k player…
Observations- since 72 has been split from 88… 72 hasn’t been “stick handling in a phone booth”… is it because Kane opens up so much space??? or is it 72 is seeing better competition on 1st line???
wts- I still say splitting AA from Kane/TT to the 3rd line (w either Dano/81 or 72/Dano) would do wonders for this team… and make this team much more complete/balanced…
Think about it- Dano/AA chemistry… 72 versus bottom lines!!! and AA has proven to be much more skilled than we thought.
Give Kero or even Tiko a shot at 2nd C… or flip 16 in there and put Tiko at 4th C…
last resort Shaw Centers the 2nd (but I don’t like that line trying to escape a good forecheck)
Agreed, I think Crow would like a couple of those goals back.
What struck me was the number of missed chances by the Hawks. In the first period, the shots were wicked good. Top left corner, lower right corner etc. As the game progressed, the Hawks shots were in the goalies bread basket. Good positioning by the goalie, sure….but everything seemed to hit him on the logo.
The 5 goal first was amazing. When was the last time that happened? The game was there for the taking. Hawks let it get away from them due to strong goaltending by Allen through the 2nd and 3rd and a sub par night from Crow. As mentioned above by Craig if Hartman taps that nice pass in its probably game over. Of greatest concern is a potential injury issue with Seabrook. His skill set and leadership are not replaceable. It should have been 2 points for the Hawks last night. On a positive note, Kane is really on a roll and just dominates when he has the puck.
Blues are a good team , but lack leadership re Backes. This guy can’t help himself as a chronic cheap shot artist. Guy tried to hurt Toews(yet gain) with a shot from behind into the Blues net. Took out his own keeper to boot. A very selfish player. Never mind the usual Blues torpedo squad with Ott and Reaves(anyone see the Reaves reverse butt end to Kopitar’s head earlier this week?). Blues team speed remains lacking and their formula does not work. Blues also take too many unnecessary penalties, which the Hawks should have made them pay for last night. They need a need a new GM and different direction. I feel kind of sorry for Blues fans, but they know what they are getting on that menu. That said I like talented players like Schwartz and Tarasenko.
If Seabs is out longer term it is circle the wagons time. Let’s hope it is not a serious injury. Svedberg getting better all the time is fun to watch and Gustafsson is fitting in. Daley really needs to pick his defensive game up right now.
Lets Go Hawks!
Elliott is horrible but ALLEN is one of the best in the NHL, sadly they put the “good guy” in net when they needed him. Blues over due after shut out at home vs kings and ALLEN played incredible. Blues where due even whit late arrival!
I’m sure this blog will clog up with silly “new line combinations” but that ain’t the problem.
Garbutt continues to play well, love his skill set and his ability to turn to the net with force.
Shaw played well! Great penalty shoot even BETTER NET FRONT PRESENCE as usual!
KANE now a free man playing like an MVP no matter who’s on the ice with him.
Svedberg playing very conservative and safe and SMART, using what he has, improving each game!
The Artist (Panarin) needs to be on a stable line, that has some speed so he can have some space with the puck. The Artist is played well I personally just expect him to get to the net and get a “bunch” of shots on net.
Teuvo played okay but shows how GETTING NEAR THE NET is the entire game in the nhl.
That YOUNG GUN LINE & DANO line played okay, If I’m GM i create a line that is all 3 young kids, they play hard and let them develop. Let Bick go. Let 3 kids develop not sure these 3 are IT, but in concept give them ice time!
We need Tikhonov . . I love VIC need him back soon, but this it the time of year to blend and send guys up and down and see what works.
CROW Played okay, not good not bad a few fluky goals with too much traffic in front and chips and rolls that made him look like ELLIOT.
Blues are tuff!
go hawks
hate to cry about the obvious but i think Hawks had 2 power plays with NO SHOTS ON NET.
Not for the last time, a team with this depth MUST have a power play that
1- Can get the puck into the offensive zone to set it up! Hawks timing is worse in NHL
2- Get consistent traffic in front of the net ( one guy owns it ) now his name is SHAW
3- Tighten up the lame “cycle” that is too far and extended right now, so shots get blocked often, Watch other teams Kings and Blues same lame cycle but LOW, behind the net strong!
4- Get shoots on goal, don’t over pass, and don’t over pass in cluttered areas of the ice, looking for highlight reel?
5- Maintain Puck possession ( at times Hawks do) but Hawks cycle is 30 feet from the net so team will give them all possession if they don’t shoot and stay outside!
6- Sometime even score
7- On ice clears, stop going behind the net, and waiting and waiting, This is NOT on a line change just a habit! We always drift way back even when we get the puck at center ice. TURN IT UP ICE , TURN quick and keep pressure on, Hawks lets Defense refresh even allow teams to lien change NOT GOOD!
Tarasenko until it counted was a ghost all night . . .
Crow had an off night. It happens
Hope Ott is out for a long time.
Hate losing to backass and his squad.
Shaw might not have been scoring before last night but he still was playing solid hockey. Cant expect points when you play with guys that dont score.
This is what to expect as the transition continues, though I didn’t expect Crow to implode, but I guess he’s entitled to a stinker every once in awhile. As long as it’s only once in awhile So many good things to say, but I won’t because most of them have already been said. This team has incredible potential, and we’re seeing it play out, though we’re just not seeing it with the strong system and discipline that we’d like…just yet. We got the puck luck in the first period and then the spigot closed. We got a point. We regroup and go after NJ on Friday night.
Ack. That’s one you’d like to have back. Can’t shut the engines down on any NHL team leaving the door open. And with the log-jam that the Central promises to be all year, every point will be valuable.
Should have seen this coming on the heels of all the “elite goaltender” discussion yesterday. Not saying Crow isn’t, but pretty ironic timing on him putting up that stink-bomb.
The frequent brain freezes on power plays is mind boggling. With that much talent it seems impossible that they could just coast with the extra man. But here we are… It will certainly be an interesting year, that’s for sure.
Good summary, Tab.
The key word is BLOW.
Crow/Hawks… when Hawks play their solid D game… and limit team’s time/space and shot quality to perimeter or on the ice shots… Crow looks Vezina/Hawks win usually… Crow usually does a great job of covering the low part of net… and It’s the rest of the teams job to limit time/space… and NOT let the shooter “Pick his corners”…
Last year vs. Preds… Preds had time/space … picked their corners and shot lasers (often and early in series)… Most were NOT Crows fault….
This game… Crow actually opened 5 hole… w/ shooter in tight … and exposed himself… that’s on Crow… he will be/can be better… and D guys around Crow could have been better “finding/clearing ” the loose pucks around him…
Just like when Yotes/Smith beat hawks in PO’s… Smith wasn’t all world -imo…
it was the checking- not allowing Hawks to Pick their corners …
Crow is allowed a stinker every now and then, just like all pro athletes. Just wish he had it on like the short end of a 6-2 game. Hate to see it on a one goal game……not to mention being up 5-2.
Went to the game last night. Obviously didn’t like the last few minutes of the 2nd period but feel pretty good about Q playing the young kids. It’s going to pay dividends down the road. We were missing 2 of our best defensive players. When they’re back it will be different. Would love to see what 81 can do as a winger with 56 and 48. Might be a good fit for now. Teach both of them something.
That was a huge 3 point swing in the central division. Could be VERY painful come 4.10.16!
The Blues didn’t have their legs in the 1st, plus Elliot was terrible. That, more than the play of the Hawks probably had more to do with getting 5 goals than anything else. The Hawks were swarming their o-zone because of that, but their defensive coverage was pretty poor in the 1st period too. It looked worse in the 2nd because the Blues finally woke up and they changed goalies and put Allen so the Hawks weren’t scoring and the Blues continued to expose the porous team defense of the Hawks.
Oh well … moving on.
Not a game that the Hawks want to remember, for sure. We need to stay in the hunt and get these young kids some valuable ice time. Hopefully when playoff time comes these kids will be well adjusted to NHL games and we can make a good run if the boys all remain healthy.
Let’s see where we are about mid December.
Crow is entitled to a bad night. Game like this happens when so much transition going on all at once. St Louis is always great in the regular season and will maybe get the Presidents Cup. Who gives a crap? They wilt in the playoffs. Let them win the regular season.
Daley is a trainwreck and Runblad awful in the defensive zone. I sure wish there was a way to dump his salary and move on.
I agree with Mining Man. Darling should have been brought in. CC had an off night. It was obvious CC was off. Q should have noticed that.
Two years ago you loved the blues. I posted that I loved the Hawks when they were down 2-0. I posted that I thought the Hawks would win but I was POSITIVE that the team with BACKASS, JACKASS, SNOTT, and the “stay-puff” man as coach would never win a Cup. I stand by my prediction. Rufus, either stand by your prediction or shut the “fuck up”.