Blackhawks Fall In San Jose
After limping into the All-Star Break, the Blackhawks wanted to get off to a fast start to the season’s “second half.” So, of course, a date against Pacific-leading San Jose was a perfect test to open the home stretch.
In the opening 20 minutes, Chicago picked up where they left off before the break; the Hawks were out-shot 10-7 but Corey Crawford kept the score knotted at zero. San Jose had two empty power plays in the first period, though, and Chicago was blocking shots well (led by Tanner Kero’s four blocks).
The Blackhawks continued to have issues getting the puck to the net, and were officially credited with only 10 shots on net half-way through the game.
At 11:41, the hottest Sharks scorer broke the the shutout. Patrick Marleau’s 18th of the season gave San Jose a 1-0 lead… for a moment. Coach Joel Quenneville requested the officials take a second look at the play and, upon further review, they ruled San Jose was offside. Good challenge, no goal, still tied at nothing.
Artem Anisimov went to the box a couple minutes after the challenge and Marleau scored his 18th of the season – which would stay on the board. The power play goal now officially gave the Sharks a 1-0 lead at 14:06 into the second period.
When Marleau’s goal went in, Chicago had been credited with more blocked San Jose shots (17) than they had put on net (11) in more than 34 minutes of hockey.
Less than three minutes after Marleau scored the 499th regular season goal of his career Dennis Rasmussen scored his fourth of the 2016-17 season to tie the game at one.
Chicago rallied with a strong offensive stretch to close out the second period and, with 40 minutes in the books, the Hawks were being out-shot 21-17. Chicago had 18 blocked shots in the opening two periods, led by four from Tanner Kero. And recently recalled defenseman Gustav Forsling led the Hawks with two takeaways in a team-low 6:46 of ice time.
Rasmussen and Ryan Hartman led the Hawks with three shots on goal in the first two periods; Chicago’s top offensive line of Kane-Anisimov-Panarin had two combined shots on net in 40 minutes (Panarin had zero). The Blackhawks had 40 shot attempts in the first two periods; San Jose had 45.
In an effort to find some offense, Quenneville sent out Panarin with Jonathan Toews and Marian Hossa to open the third period. Nick Schmaltz, who had started with Toews and Hossa, bumped to the line with Kane and Anisimov. The line changes were effective and the Hawks carried the first half of the third period, but weren’t able to beat Martin Jones.
As the game entered the final 10 minutes, momentum started swinging in favor of the Sharks. With 2:03 left in reglation, Tomas Hertl was able to beat Crawford and give the Sharks a 2-1 lead. Joe Pavelski extended the lead to 3-1 with an empty net goal, his 17th of the season.
That would stand as the final score, with the Blackhawks getting out-shot 29-25.
Toews won 14 of 20 faceoffs to lead Chicago at the dot. Kero won only two of nine but led the Hawks with five blocked shots. Ryan Hartman had a team-leading four shots on net, but was credited with a team-leading four giveaways as well.
Andrew Desjardins skated 12 minutes with two blocked shots, one his and zero points.
Crawford stopped 26 of 28 in the loss.
Marcus Kruger, Michal Kempny and Jordin Tootoo were scratches for the game.
Until the kane line and the pp get going there is too much pressure on the rest of the team. Other lines but contributing but bread and butter is a hot pp and kane line. The last 10 minutes absolutely no puck possession at a?l, it just felt like a matter of time. Seemed like alot of strange bounces off the boards too. Definitely need kempny or forsling to step up and be a strong 6th dman too.
Stans public comments aside, this team needs an infusion of talent. We need some offense or Kane, Panarin, Toews and Hosea must pick it up. The question is can Stan bring in somebody and still hold the first round pick. We’fe not built for playoff hockey with little offense and a defense that can’t get out of its own way late in periods. Can anyone see this team pull off a nice win streak. Hell, I’m not even sure if home ice would help this team. Just dissppointed, I guess.
A break longer then normal/between games we for some reason cant win/have a good record. Same thing at before/after holiday break. Its like the first back home after long road trip. Just drives you crazy.
Good thing is we played good/outplayed the other team/or was even in most of these games. We deserved a win or tie in our last 4 loses and didn’t even get a tie in any of them. Now were 9 games behind 22 to 13.
When MIN is at 25 games over .500 and we are around 15 (with ANA and SAN) it will look like no one can catch them for the 1 seed. That’s when MIN could fall flat on their face and lose 5 games in a row. Then you have 4 teams around 20 over .500, I can see ANA and CHI being the 1 and 2 seeds but its not the most important thing.
We are going to start to play good/really again, just like we did the last time we played SAN on long road trip. When it looks like its not going good (outplaying other team/or even game and not even get a tie), this is where we turn the corner and not look back. Turning point in the 82 games is on this road trip.
Shots on net/net front presence and play 60 minutes…where are you Q?
Didn’t see the game.
Was worried with the 2 losses before the break that there was a real possibility of 3 or less points in a 8 game stretch. (I hope I eat my words) That makes the rest of the season more taxing on the core.
Hearing many excuses about why things are flat, and now it’s about 20 games and counting. What are the 15/16 Blackhawks?
16/17, I mean
Snoozer
Jim Cramer says… Sell-sell-sell!!! (at least DON’T … Buy!!!)
I still think Hawks would be better off moving Bigger contract at TDL- to a team with a legit chance of going to SC… instead of getting the short end of stick twice-at TDL and Summer (when Cap moves will be forced).
Crow looked like he forgot his skates… late pushing off and getting from post to post a few times. Stumbled and fell a couple times too
split up 72/88… they are in a funk and Teams are aware of that cross ice pass..
72/AA/81 please
Desi played a good game , Hossa played a sloppy game . 38 and 48 were really hustling , Bread man invisible , we have a discombobulated P.P. Really sad to watch .We had some chances ,but Jones played to good . Crow made some stellar stops ,but looked a little lost at times . Next.
Blues just fired Hitchcock!
Terrible team passing. Campbell looked like a turnstile. I like Hino’s speed and hustle but his hands are suspect. You know you are in trouble as a team when Rasmussen is the best player on the ice. “Desjardins skated 12 minutes with two blocked shots, one his and zero points”. Thanks for the comic relief Tab.
“It’s going to be a big summer for him,” Bowman said. “If he can get his strength up to NHL-caliber, no question he’s got the ability.
“He’s got that innate sense of how to get into open areas and score goals. That’s probably an overlooked talent. You can’t really teach that. It’s an instinct and he’s got it. It’s a great season for him.”
Quote from Bowman regarding Debrincat. From Hine
Ernie- I am pretty sure Debrincat- was quoted saying the same thing about Bowman-“It’s going to be a big summer for him”-lol
Re; Bowman trying to right this sinking Cap/ship this summer
Rough to stay awake watching that one to midnight. This team has had real problems finishing games recently. That game should have gone to OT yet the discipline was not there late defensively. I give the Sharks credit for playing good team defense and reducing the number of Hawks quality chances. It was a pretty even game, but how many games are you going to win scoring 1-2 goals?
Hawks road games in Ariz. are like a home game given mass quantity of Hawks fans that usually show up. Maybe that gives the guys a boost tomorrow. There is plenty of room for improvement on the ice for the Hawks.
Looks like the Blues are pushing the alarm button.
Lets Go Hawks!
Stan should not have to do his magic and cram additional salary into this team. One of the two $10.5 million men needs to get his shit together and start earning that money. $10.5 is a lot to play the Captain for “intangibles”. OK, he isn’t scoring, but is a Selke canidate? No, he’s -2 along with highly paid, “defensive 1st” Seabrook. If the big money players would have an average year that Hawks would not be in the position to need other players. They should be embarrassed that this is even brought up. They wanted the big boy money, now start playing like the big boys. You don’t get to have all these slumps if you are one of the top paid players. He has more slumps than streaks ever since he signed that deal. I know it’s frowned upon to talk negative about the Hawks here, but my expectations are higher than a mid playoff seed with an 1st or 2nd round exit.
The Hawks sellers at the trade deadline ….but…. when they’re probably a 2 seed for the playoffs???? Playoffs??? ….. Are you kidding me???? … Playoffs
The thought that the Blackhawks will “sell” at the deadline is hilarious. They won’t.
This year’s deadline will have a lot of intriguing variables, led by the expansion draft. But the Blackhawks certainly won’t be sellers.
Also, if folks like Gravy Train are going to base a player’s Selke candidacy on his +/- there really isn’t anything in the comment worth reading.
Facepalm!
Rattle off\a few wins and the sell sentiment will then be buy… We’re a bipolar bunch
re: plus/minus – Patrice Bergeron was +2 when he won the Selke in 2014-15. Just an FYI.
To Ernie’s comment about being bipolar – we try to keep bringing the reality back to the middle. Bowman has his plan and armchair GMs have theirs. Thankfully only one of those matters, because he’s built two Cup winners and the rest of us are wrong on a daily basis.
Let us give some credit to Dale Tallon. During his time as Director of Player personnel or GM the Hawks drafted, signed or resigned Crawford, Kane, Toews,Hossa, Sharp, Kieth and Seabrook. Where would the Hawks be without this collection of players.
The sellers comment is hilarious.
Yet another game where we get significantly out-Corsi’d. Not throwing in the towel this year (the West is wide open), but the writing is on the wall. Thankfully, we have lots of young guys who have improved and can continue to do so.
Still, I’m very couraged by Schmaltz, Panik, and Hartman. We still need those three, as well as another two, to hit another level to be serious contenders. The stellar goaltending that defined us throughout the first half won’t carry us all the way.
re: credit to Dale Tallon – we have. Always.
Can’t believe that article only had 1 comment! It’s funny looking back at all the players and what they came to be.
Thanks for the memory tab
Thanks Travis :)