Blackhawks Fall To Crosby, Pens in Shootout
For the first time since 2006, Sidney Crosby played a game in Chicago. This time, in a meaningless preseason game, Crosby and the Penguins escaped with a 4-3 shootout victory.
Ben Smith had a very good game for the Blackhawks. He skated more than four minutes on both power play and penalty kill duty, assisted on Patrick Sharp’s goal to open the scoring, and potted a short-handed goal of his own in the second period. In over 20 minutes of total ice time, Smith was also credited with two blocked shots, one hit and three takeaways.
Teuvo Teräväinen was impressive yet again. He made a few plays in traffic that brought fans to the edge of their seats, including one moment in the second period where he eluded four Penguins players before flipping a pass across the ice to a wide open Patrick Kane. He might be headed back to Europe for the season, but Teräväinen has certainly teased Hawks fans enough in two preseason games that there will be plenty of buzz when he comes back to the NHL for good.
Teräväinen had a much better night at the dot in his second preseason game. He won nine of 16 faceoffs against Pittsburgh, and was the only Blackhawks player to win more than half of his faceoffs. Brandon Saad struggled again, winning only five of 15 draws in over 20 minutes of ice time. Drew LeBlanc won only two of seven, and Marcus Kruger won just four of 12 on the night.
Chicago’s goals came from Sharp, Smith and Brandon Bollig, with Bollig’s goal forcing the game into overtime. It took a shootout to determine the victor in the game, and Kane, Teravainen and LeBlanc were all unable to beat Tomas Vokoun. Beau Bennett beat Nikolai Khabibulin in the first round of the shootout for the game-winner.
Khabibulin allowed three goals against 30 Pittsburgh shots in regulation and overtime. The goals for Pittsburgh were scored by Derrick Pouliot, Joe Vitale and Crosby.
The Hawks’ special teams got plenty of work in the game. Chicago was short-handed five times, allowing one power play goal in the game. Meanwhile, the song remains the same for the Hawks’ power play, which was 0-6 on Thursday night.
Chicago travels to Washington for a game Friday night.
Did anyone see the elbow to the head #41 tried to apply to Teuvo just before the pass to Kane? I think both of them were lucky he missed.
Otis – nope, I missed it. Glad he missed. TT has the kind of poise with the puck that the good players have. He’s got such great hands and quick stick that he gets the puck in a crowd – very impressive. Uses his stick very well in breaking up passes and disrupting the opponent’s play too. I do think going back to play in Finland this year will be the best thing for his development because not only is he not ready for the physical game in the NHL, but now he can go home and feel positive about his experience in training camp and the preseason games and build his confidence at a slightly lower level of play without worrying about head hunters. Looking forward to following him throughout the SM-Liiga season and seeing him when he comes back. Stay healthy young Teuvo.
Yeah – Smith had a very good game and the cement might not be dry yet but he’s got both feet covered in cement and standing on a roster spot. Gotta be the leading candidate from the Rockford gang. He may not have the speed we would like, but he seems to have “it” – that nebulous something that gets him in the right place to make plays.
I thought Saad had a very good game except for at the dot. He was around the puck a lot and noticeable down low playing the centerman’s defensive responsibilities. His pass to Kane for the one-timer that just happened to hit Vokoun was a pretty nice play and he was skating strong all game. With TT going back to Finland and Pirri not grabbing the spot because of injury – it’s looking more and more like Saad just may end up with the 2C spot, at least to start the season.
I like Hartman. Very nice player. I know he’s got another year or two before being in the conversation to play at the NHL level but you can see he’s a very heady player and plays all out. I think he’s got a very good shot an NHL career.
Clendening needs to get better defensively. It took a nice hustle play by Oduya to skate across the ice and make the Penguin player hurry his breakaway shot – because Clendening looked like a turnstile when the Penguin blew by him. He has good offensive instincts but not good enough to compensate for his defensive deficiencies.
Hayes on the PK? I don’t know … long reach/stick but I gotta think his lack of first step quickness is going to be a problem. I still think he has a good shot to make the team, just not buying into him on the PK.
Sharp – I hope he can stay healthy this year. He’s in monster mode already. Maybe the possibility of a spot on Team Canada has him really motivated? Whatever, keep it going Sharpie.
Hopefully Toews play tonight, and hopefully plays the 29-19-88 line together. I will be fin to watch them play together again. Looking for a good goal scoring season from Tazer. If he stays healthy – 40+ goals.
I’d still like to see more of Nordstrom playing with Kruger on the PK.
it’s hard to read Q, but is there possibility Nordstrom makes the team? I’m still not sold on Hayes.
I could see Stanton getting a few games here n there but be still looks a little shaky. Q seems to not like Pirri so it looks like he’s back at Rockford.
Morin, Shaw, Smith.
Would it be good or not to have all right handed shots on the same line.
Looks like Saad is center for first 20games. Pirri & Blanc are on standby and we go with more left&rights for roster…
No matter who plays center this season, we know who will longterm… T.
re: BigSmokeJ – No, Nordstrom doesn’t make the team. And you need to sell yourself on Hayes pretty quickly because you’ll probably see a lot of him at the UC this year.
Thanks Tab
Hayes did look good last night, so he is growing on me. LOL Morin did some nice things as well.