Blackhawks Blow Late Lead, DeBrincat’s 40th Wins It In OT
After a week under the weather with COVID, staying up late on a mid-week night to watch an exhilarating Blackhawks vs Coyotes matchup was exactly what the doctor ordered.
In all seriousness, Wednesday had a couple significant notes for Blackhawks fans that weren’t dependent on the final score of the game. Brent Seabrook was celebrating his 37th birthday at home with his beautiful family, and former Hawks forward Andrew Ladd was dressing for his 1,000th career regular season game. So congrats to those two fine gentlemen on their milestones on and off the ice.
When the game started, the Blackhawks jumped all over the Coyotes in the first period. It only took 42 seconds for Jake McCabe to deposit some loose change he found in front of the net to give Chicago a one-goal lead.
Jonathan Toews and Dominik Kubalik were credited with the assists on McCabe’s fourth of the season.
It took almost 15 full minutes for either team to score the next goal, but the Toews line was involved again. This time, Toews and Tyler Johnson were credited with assists on a Kubalik goal.
After 20 minutes of hockey, the Blackhawks were dominating the Coyotes. The credited shots on goal showed the Hawks with a 17-10 advantage and Kevin Lankinen was solid for one full period.
Unfortunately, the trend we’ve seen far too much of this season showed up again in the second. After a solid period with crisp passing and organization, the Blackhawks came out of the room and appeared to leave everything that worked so well in the first period in their stalls. The passing wasn’t crisp and Lankinen was under fire immediately.
Barrett Hayton cut the Hawks’ lead in half at 12:43 into the second with the assists appropriately going to Ladd and Nick Schmaltz. Lankinen did everything he could to keep the puck out of the net but it slipped over the line.
The Hawks could now either respond, or fold and watch the Coyotes roll the next couple goals and run away from them. More times than not when second periods have gone wrong, they’ve gone all the way wrong and leads became deficits.
Not on this night. And it was rookie Alex Vlasic getting a little help from Schmaltz’s skate for his first career NHL goal.
Patrick Kane and Alex DeBrincat picked up the assists and Kane also picked up the puck to save for Vlasic’s collection. Here’s hoping this is the first of many for the kid!
The second period ended with both teams putting 11 shots on net and the Hawks maintaining their two-goal lead. It wasn’t a pretty period and the Coyotes were down to 11 forwards with Jay Beagle leaving early and not coming back, but Chicago was able to get the lead back to two before heading to the room.
At 9:42 into the third, Phil Kessel made a nice play and ripped a shot on net. Nathan Smith won a battle in front of the net with Erik Gustafsson and put home an impressive goal to cut the Hawks’ lead back to just one. Smith, like Vlasic, scored his first career NHL goal.
Alec Regula and Jack McBain exchanged pleasantries at 12:15 and each sat down, putting the game at 4-on-4 action inside the final eight minutes of regulation.
With 32 seconds left in the penalties, Anton Stralman tied the game. A couple ugly turnovers left Lankinen fighting to keep the lead and the passing sequence with Schmaltz and Kessel ended with Stralman point blank. The game was tied with six minutes left in regulation.
The final seconds ticked off the clock and we headed to overtime; the Coyotes erased a two-goal deficit in the third period. The Yotes out-shot the Hawks 12-8 in the third.
So, where did things go wrong in regulation? The Blackhawks had five power plays against the worst penalty kill in the NHL and failed to score on any of them. That’s a big issue — but not a new one. The Hawks have scored on two of their last 25 power plays (dating back to April 7), which isn’t good enough.
Lankinen stopped 30 of 33 in regulation.
During the third period, Mark Lazerus of The Athletic pointed out on Twitter that the Blackhawks had won only 72 percent of the games in which they’ve taken a lead to the third period (18-3-4 coming into Wednesday). Only Buffalo was worse in the entire NHL in that regard.
After having the door slammed on them a couple times in the final two minutes of overtime, Kane set up DeBrincat who put home the game-winner — and finally the 40th goal of the season for DeBrincat.
Kane was credited with nine shots on net and DeBrincat put six on net in the win. Regula was credited with five shots on net in 19:58.
Toews had two assists and won 15 of 19 faceoffs to lead the Hawks at the dot. Dylan Strome won nine of 16 against his former employer and Sam Lafferty won six of ten.
Henrik Borgstrom made a celebrity guest appearance, skating 6:44 in the game. Kirby Dach was out of the lineup with a shoulder injury so Borgstrom got in the action.
Finally, congrats to Ladd for reaching 1,000 career regular season games.
The big milestone for No. 16.
— Arizona Coyotes (@ArizonaCoyotes) April 21, 2022
Congratulations on skating in your 1,000th career @NHL game, Ladd! pic.twitter.com/Z2MvxsA3Hm
When the stoppable force meets the movable object, I guess the game goes to the team with 88 + 12 on its side
Totally predictable that this team would prove unable to take a 3-1 lead to a regulation win
Glad to see somebody back in the saddle again. Definitely looking like Vlasic and Regula are keepers, their confidence is growing. Slick pass from Kane to the Cat for the winner, it would mean a lot moving forward if they have a good road trip and finish the season on a positive note. A little bizarre seeing Phil Kessel on the 4th line. I think there was more Hawks fans there than Yotes.
Let’s just remember that this was just Arizona. But, let’s look at the positives. Toews and Tyler Johnson looked like I wish they had played like that all season. I know illness and injuries. Kubalik was noticeable too, but that ship has sailed. Kane, Strome, DeBrincat, and Raddysh all looked strong. But, the two most impressive players on the ice last night were Vlasic and Regula. There is no chance in this universe that those two are not on our top 4 defensemen next year, well, unless they get hurt. We have two studs in the back to go along with Seth. McCabe, Stillman, Caleb, Murphy are all expendable now. Bring up Mitchell, and sign another top-flight defenseman, and we are all set in the back!
Beating a dead horse but why is Gus playing at all??? – get Caleb some reps
…and why was Gus on PP1 instead on Seth??? – the problem with the PP is not Seth it’s that everyone defers to Kane then stands around waiting for the magic pass
but then King is not winning the Jack Adams so in an absurdist kinda way it all makes sense – just look at how well the Hawks protect a lead with King as coach – Sheeeeesh!
The Hawks have a few good kids playing ! Let’s see who’s there in October when the regular season starts again ! Now it’s on to Cali to play a couple clubs that aren’t going anywhere either ! POPS 4
Nice win with DCat (40 )getting it’s second season with 40 goals and had 1 assist. Regula had a good night with 5 shots on goal,plus 1 ,1 hit and 20 minutes ice time. Vlasic 1 goal , 2 hit,2 sog, Lank had a good game and the Hawks win .What à nice perfect pass from Kane . Hawks are missing their best DMan . Gustafson was Minus 2 .
Sorry to hear your down with covid Tab, hope your feeling better.
Good to see some youngsters taking a step forward and showing some positive. Good for Dcat getting his 40th. Jekyll and Hyde continues to be the norm for the game stories on their performance. Hope the last 5 games are entertaining to watch , see what lotto brings on the 10th after that.
Hope you enjoyed the broadcast we know you enjoyed the outcome. So long from Arizona
The Vlasik turnover that led to the Stralman game tying goal was a rookie mistake. He must use the wall there instead of finesse. The shift had been a disaster and the puck needed to get out. Poor judgement that will likely be seen more by our kid defenseman. I’m a bit surprised that at to this point nobody has brought the play up. Overall, I like what we have been able to see from Vlasik. There will be many more mistakes. Hopefully they are different from this one. A learning moment.
Dcat has a special energy and skill to find a way to give his teammates a chance to feed him for open shots. The game winner was a perfect example. Dcat utilized a puck-watching defender to sneak in the backside and allow one of the game’s best passers to do his thing. Masterful play by the Cat. Great vision and better hands by the Kane guy.
Rookie mistakes by D-men are just that, nothing to harp on about it. It is what it is.
As we consider what DeBrincat’s new contract will look like, we have to ponder how many of his goals are because of Kane. It does not seem as if he is creating his own opportunities lately, unless you consider proper positioning to be creating an opportunity. He has been generating some nice assists. He’s much younger than Kane, so how much longer is that tandem going to be there? It’s the same thing to consider with Strome’s resurgence. That said, you have to keep DeBrincat. $8 mil, 6 years?
The game meant nothing but since we are addicts, it was good to see them win and glad the rookies are getting some time – too late, but at least getting some. Would have liked to see Reichel in OT.
have changed my mind on strome. i still don’t trust him to put forth the effort defensively that he has the last several months once the new contract is signed, but i feel the hawks must gamble that he will. reichel, their most gifted forward in the system, is nowhere near ready to be a top six forward in the nhl and the drop off in talent to the next best forward is quite a large chasm. the hawks are not in a position to move on from strome. also i would love to see kubalik back on a one or two year deal and maybe put him together with strome to see if they can click. kubalik has scored in the nhl. the hawks have to take the chance they can find a way to get him to be consistent. if there were three or four promising top six forward candidates at rockford it would be a different story. but there are not and i feel it is in the hawks best interest to roll the dice on strome and kubalik.
robs
i have your same concerns about de brincat’s production without kane setting the table. i would love to see him on board for $8 million for 5/6 years. i do not want to pay him $10 million(+).
Personally, I think DeBrincat does more for the Hawks being traded than being extended. The only caveat to that is if Kane wants to stay and wants someone competent to skate with while chasing Makita, in that case, bring DeBrincat back, maybe Strome too and let that line have a little fun during the rebuild.
If the Hawks had anyone in the system who might be top six productive in the next year or so, I may be tempted to bring DeBrincat back regardless of Kanes status. But since guys like Reichel are probably going to need more time to mature physically, I don’t see why a team with no chance at the playoffs needs pay for a 40 goal scorer now.
The Hawks are better off doing a full teardown and drafting high the next 2-3 years and then reaping what their high draft positions sowed. Hopefully it is guys who can play with size, skill and pace…
@Tab hope you are recovering quickly from Covid…
If we could and for this summer only…
Keep Toews /Kane / Then deadline or not? Either Re-sign for 5.2-6mil or trade out
Sign Vinnie for 4th line 1/yr
Sign Lafferty/ Dach/ Strome ‘Show Me’ deals.
Sign FA 2-RW
Shop for FA 1-RD Klingberg-type
Shop for FA 1-LD Byram- young strong puck type
1 year FA 1-G Fleury? Or as our goal coach?
1 year FA 1-G- #2
Decat Strome Kane
Raddysh Toews Konecny type? (Reichel)
Dach Laffy Nishuskin type? (Entwistle)
Teplý Vinnie Hardman (Barrett)
Slavin/Teply/Barrett/Reichel/Entwistle -Rotate
Mitchel Jones
McCabe? Klingberg?
Stillman Vlasic / Regula
Hold
F
Hardman/Entwisle,/Slavin,/Teply/Barrett/C Dach
D
Mitchel/Norris/Vlasic/Regula/Phillips
Out
King? Just when I thought he might be an ok ‘for now’ kinda coach, he puts Gus back out there. Then I’m reminded of times. Carpy at #1 L/C/RW, Strome at #4C / then that time he blindcsided Fla w a secret line of:
T.Johnson #1C w DeCat, Kaner…
(total body weight/height avg = 172/5’10) Against Barkov and his crew. Then King’s genius rendition of ‘psych the goalie’ w McCabe in a shootout. Another masterpiece in memory. Blender boy = bewildered…King – Out!
Jimmy Waite? Goalie coach? (introduced in a bar once by the great E.J Maguire, when E.J. asked my thoughs, “Not a person I would take instructions from to the men’s room. He can’t coach his way out of a paper bag” Unimpressed.
All current Assistants…Out
Callie Chelios = In (Concise and intelligent)
Colby = Dufus hipster, gym shoes/skinny jeans in a sport coat.(Peter Brady reads a script)
She should get some games to color. Not Colby
Ideas for potential picks (to cap and build, we need picks not 6mil+ for 30y/o players)
3rd-Kubalik +4mil
4th-Kurashev +2mil
5th-Katchouk +1mil
5th-Borgstrom+1mil
5th-R.Johnson.8
3rd-Murphy +3mil
4th-Galvas .8
6th-Beaudin .8
6th-Kalynuk .8
7th-Gustafson+1mil
5th-McCabe. +4mil
X- DeHaan-(DeHaan/McCabe? @ 4mil = McCabe)
X- Gabriel. .8
X- T.Johnson+4mil
X- Connely +4mil
X- Khaira. +1.5
X- Delia. +1
X- Lankenin +1
Potential picks from ‘dead weight’ dump
2-#3 1Forward/1D
2-#4 1Forward/1D
Or Kurashev + = (F Strong Prospect)
Or Kubalik + = (F Strong Prospect)
2-#5 1/F/1D
3-#6 1Forward/1D/1G
1-#7 Best left on the board
X = Waive or bury / no loss / no gain
Potential Consolidated:
4F/ 4D/ 1G / 1F Prospect
If we could find and then beg a buyer to bite.
Take a high 1st +3rd for S.Jones/eat the loss. Recoup on cap space and cleanse ourselves of bad news Bowman, washed hands in the long run. This guy is good, but not #1 money. And he doesn’t hit. When I think of a #1 D (Scott Stevens, Chris Pronger, Letang, Doughty, Makar, he wouldn’t even make a 1B to Seabrook or Doug Wilson, and Dave Manson would beat him senseless. And NO as in (0.00) 8 year NMC/NTC contracts for anyone, not named Jesus or the second coming of Marian Hossa!
That leaves potential roster contracts…
(please add corrections, I’m not good at math)
Towes/Kane/Strome/Decat/Raddysh/Dach/Laffy
Hardman/Entwistle/Teply/Barrett/Reichel
Slavin/Jones/Stillman /C.Jones/Mitchel
Norris/Vlasic/Regula/Phillips
+ add Vinnie + 2 RW, 2D, 2G
(This Summer only. Evaluate and revisit throughout next season and at TDL.)
We can only have 23. So we gotta rotate as injuries dictate.
Interested in the group’s thoughts…
@HawksHard – that is some serious research and thought. I have to admire someone who puts that much effort in potential Hawks moves. I don’t know what KD (Intern) will do, but I can tell you who I like and hope they are around next year:
Keep – Debrincat, Strome, Raddysh, Lafferty, Katschouk, Reichel, Reese J, Entwhistle, Slavin, Dach (they will keep him). Seth J, Vlasic, Regula, Mitchell, McCabe(they will keep him), Murphy (they will keep him), Caleb J, Phillips, Lankinen, Soderblom.
Trade – Kane (Huge package), Toews, Tyler J, Kubalik, Stillman, Borgstrom, Kurashev
FA – DeHaan, Gus
I agree about the skinny jeans guy – he’s unwatchable! The blonde is 10,000 times smarter and knows hockey. I guess her old-man was a player! I wonder how come his name is not brought up as a potential HC? He’s as old-school tough as it gets! Plus, he’s super smart! He’s our answer to Steve Yzerman!
Good thing some of us have Golf to focus on after this grueling season….WE BETTER see ALOT of moves this off season….
DeBrincat puts the puck in the bet when he is set up…. Other players whiff or miss the bet when set up… DeBrincat hustles ALL the time too.. Would be sooooo dumb based on his age to remove him from team….
Ivan—- good thoughts !
Tommy – unless Chelly has had coaching experience I’m not interested
I’ve had enough of coaches in over their heads – being tough and smart is not enough without successful coaching experience
Agree with Coach Ivan, HawksHard nice research.
Tim W I’m 6 out of 6 with my new picks.
Sunday better be like today Heritage Bluffs at 9am
Is it me or does Borgstrom like like Jim Carey’s Grinch without the green make up.
Nice to have you back Tab. Best wishes get well.
Wrap starting think that the reason KD is avoiding naming or talking about what role Brian Campbell is going to play is because he is waiting to name hom head coach after season ends. He spends alot of time with KD up in booth watching practices.
The only comment I’ll make about some of the Kings of Wishful Thinking in our midst re: roster overhaul this summer…
Tyler Johnson has 2 more years at $5M per. NOBODY is taking that off the Hawks’ hands. Not without a fat sweetener in the deal (that the Hawks either don’t have or can’t afford to move) AND salary retained (which doesn’t help).
Didn’t know the Hawks had a player named Sehcord. That we had a player named SEEcord.
Not wishing it happens but thinking that TJ is our next Shaw with LTIR.
@Tab – Covid sucks! Hope you get to 100% soon, it does take a bit of time!
I know all about TJ’s contract, but I am hoping that we can throw him in a deal somewhere. To a team that needs a veteran presence. And, yes we are going to have to eat half his salary.
Regards,
The Ultimate King of Wishful Thinking