Blackhawks Ground Lightning In Shootout
The Blackhawks came into Tuesday night’s game on a five-game losing steak to the Lightning, all of which had come by one goal. But on this night, Chicago had the extra marker.
It took 65 minutes and a couple extra shooters for the Blackhawks to earn a second point at the expense of the first place Lightning.
As has been the story for much of the last couple weeks, the Blackhawks dominated the first period but finished the frame losing on the scoreboard. It took almost five minutes for Tampa to control the puck, but when they did Cedric Paquette put the Bolts’ first shot of the game past Corey Crawford for a short-handed tally.
Brad Richards stayed hot and got the Hawks on the board just after a Valtteri Filppula penalty ended. It was Richards’ third goal of the season, and he was credited with four shots on net in only 11:50.
More importantly, the veteran center appears to be getting comfortable in the limited role he’s receiving from coach Joel Quenneville. Richards has five points (three goals, two assists) in six games in November, but has skated less than 12 minutes in four of those six games.
The Blackhawks took the lead only 78 seconds into the third as Marcus Kruger tipped a Niklas Hjalmarsson keep past Ben Bishop.
Eight minutes later, the Blackhawks got stuck in a tough position and paid for it. Johnny Oduya was hurt blocking a shot, but wasn’t able to limp off the ice before Tampa got back into the zone. Oduya labored to play on one leg, and a clearing attempt was cut off by an official. Nikita Kucherov beat Corey Crawford to tie the game.
Unfortunately, Oduya wasn’t able to return to the ice for the final 10 minutes of the game. Quenneville said after the game that he “hopes [Oduya’s] ok” and that the team would know more on Wednesday.
In Oduya’s absence, Duncan Keith was relied on heavily down the stretch. Keith finished the night skating 31:48, in which he blocked two shots and tied Patrick Kane with a team-high five shots on net.
Hjalmarsson led the way with four blocked shots, while Marian Hossa was credited with an assist and four takeaways in the game. Andrew Shaw had a team-high four hits in the game. Jeremy Morin stepped up his physical play once again, taking exception to a number of questionable hits by Lightning players in the game.
Bryan Bickell skated only 9:39 and was credited with nothing but one shot on net. Peter Regin was limited to only 6:40, a team-low. Regin’s ice time is notable because Daniel Carcillo skated with the team on Tuesday morning, and may be back before the annual November Circus Trip.
Chicago was 0-6 on the power play and allowed the short-handed goal to Paquette in the first period. Tampa, which came in ranked fourth in the league on the power play, was held off the board in three advantages.
Tampa came in ranked second in the league in scoring, averaging 3.8 goals per game. But Crawford stood tall once again, stopping 25 of 27 and all three in the shootout to earn the second point. Bishop played a stellar game on the other end of the ice, stopping 19 shots in the first period and 37 of 39 in the game. Unfortunately for Bishop, Kane finished the job in the shootout to send the Veteran’s Day crowd home happy.
What a bunch of ‘Gyoji’ Officiating. East Conference must be proud parents.
The Hawks Penalty Kill has allowed 4 goals against (fewest in league).
The Hawks Power Play has allowed 4 short handed goals (most in league).
It was hard to follow, but did Q stick with the Shaw-Regin-Morin line the whole game? It seemed to me that Shaw played a whole bunch more at even strength than his line mates.
Rozsival isn’t very good anymore. Please play Rundblad at least 4 out of every 5 games.
Familiar game template: dominate possession and shots on goal but don’t score very much and play a one goal game. Same ole same ole.
But, 2 points, so all is well.
It will be interesting to see what Q does when Carcillo and Sharp are back now that he he broke precedent by put 19-88 together on a line, and now that Richards is playing better.
To the person who said CC couldn’t start on like 17 of the 30 NHL teams. I hope they weren’t including Varmalov and Fleury.
Not loving this red assed Jeremy Morin. It worked in that he drew 2 penalties and never put the Hawks at a disadvantage, but I’d prefer him to not act like a butthead most of the time. Maybe frustrations from not scoring? Maybe trying to show Q he can be what they want Carcillo to be? Either way, kid needs to put one in to get the monkey off his back.
Speaking of monkeys. Might be time to stop making excuses for Patrick Kane. It’s pretty obvious he’s snake bitten, but he can’t carry his frustrations out onto the ice and quit on plays. Those even strength goals will start coming, probably around the same time the Hawks rip off 10 in a row, but I don’t want to see him pouting on the ice anymore.
Hawks cap problems are going to be alleviated pretty soon here when Rozsival goes on LTIR with any made up injury they can conjure. Holy bad.
People still crying about Richards? I can swear there were a few people that said he needed time to adjust to a new team/new baby. His passes are now looking crisp and he’s doing a much better job of creating space for his linemates and then finding them in that space.
Good chance this is the match up we see in June, I wouldn’t mind 6-7 games between these two teams. Wasn’t a fan of all of the stick work the Lightning were doing, Hawks NEEDED to capitalize on the power play to make them pay for it, but somehow managed to fail.
Bishop did his best Mike Smith on a few occasions last night. Was pretty funny seeing Ben Smith flagged for Goalie Interference after being german suplexed onto the ice. Even the national media had a good chuckle about it.
Another nail biter, but the 2 points we will take and say thank you. The only game us fans have been able to coast through was the Habs blow out. It felt like to me in the 3rd that we were on the door step of another heartbreaking loss. Tampa basically handed the game to Hawks with all of the penalties they took, especially in the 1st, but the PP just couldn’t get it done. Special teams for the Hawks as ER points out are extreme. PP bad at scoring goals but good at giving em up. The Hawks could have blown this game out of the water had the PP converted. PK very good, and with strong CC play this aspect has kept games close.
Bolts dealing out massive punishment to Hawks forwards, but great to see the guys in position to make plays in front of Bishop. Smith, Shaw, and Morin and Versteeg probably a bit sore today. I think Kruger must always be in pain as the guy gets hammered by every team in every game the Hawks play. Some nastiness by the Bolts and some given back by the Hawks. Brewer crosscheck to Shaws face was terrible. Seabs giving Johnson a big league crosscheck in the ribs you could feel. Both plays were attempt to injure, but the Bolts can’t think they can play that way and not get something back. Applause to Morin for standing up against those guys. None for Bickell who still acts like a ghost out on the ice.
Both goalies were good last night. Does Bishop remind anyone of Mike Smith?
Lets Go Hawks!
Also meant to include Hawks D zone giveaways and bad zone clears. Don’t know how many, but it was alot, and way more than should be considered acceptable. TvR good game, Rozy bad.
Funny JS, you were writing the the Bishop Mike Smith comparison same time as me.
Watched the game on a TB feed, holy biased assessment! Some tidbits from the broadcast include accusing Shaw of “embellishment” when XC’d to face, stating it was “obvious” that Smith interfered on goalie penalty, and suggesting 1st goal should have been waived off for goalie interference by 23. Their theme of the night- that Hawks were “well known as divers and embellishers throughout the league.” Wow.
As for me,
1. love the feisty Morin and appreciate someone willing to stand up for himself and teammates when hacked and cheap shotted.
2. Bickel a no-show again, what’s is his problem, he scores a goal and then thinks he’s 88?! (the good version.) Note to 29- you are employed as a big physical guy, play like it.
3. Most of knew that 91 was a big upgrade over Zus and needed to find a rhythm and fit. Hard to do out of the gate in the line blender world of Q.
4. Rozy- really? Please have a seat.
5. If 27 is out, please tell me we’re bringing up a Hog.
Negzz, agree with your 5 points. In the “one goal” commercial, Bickell’s statement “my goal is to be the goalies worst nightmare” is what he should do but doesn’t. Morin may be a bit reckless but at least he stands up for his teammates. His performance last night ignited some energy but will likely land him in the doghouse.
Hawks literally get sticks purposely to the face and the player who is willing (Morin) and who should (Bickell) play physical are on the bench. We got out hit 34 to 12 last night and the guy who XC Shaw to the face should have received a game misconduct instead of 2 minutes. Qs refusal to let his 4th line play 11-12 minutes is taking and will take a heavy toll physically. He must put together 4 lines that he trusts.
JS- while 91 has been MUCH better in O zone/skating (great improvement)…
91 on the PP Point is a fu&**%# DISASTER… Q please put him in a different spot… OR Hawks will continue to give breakaways up on PP (and yes Kane was at fault to w/ bad pass)… but 91 has NO ability or DESIRE to even try to get back!!!
The BEST positive on the nite… Hawks were able to actually get some consistent Odd-mans (23/19/88) for the 1st time in a while… (Looked like Cup years)… Bad news- in CUP years Hawks could do that with 3 lines…
Great to see Shaw get demoted – cuz he has been making some BAD plays most nites…
Agree- 32 and I am hoping there is some way to lose 27 TOO (he continues to look old and panicked)…
Hossa- continues to look like his hands have regressed to Bollig status on receiving passes!!!
ER- is 100% right– Same old, same old… Hawks outshoot, make horrible TO’s…
I am still not buying their game… Stamkos had 5 missed shots… that when added up- had more velocity than the All of the Hawk’s shots put together.
Shootouts. I like them. How the are used is one thing, but I can’t argue about the excitement level whether in person, TV or radio Wiedeman.
CC another 3-3 too
Funny that last year the Hawks could not buy a shoot out win while this year the wins are adding up. That backhand roof job move Kane is using is sick, and Corey has been very composed.
My biggest problem with richards was when his glove came off behind the net and he went for it, rather than the puck. Anyone else catch that?
BTW – in case anyone needed to be reminded, 19 is a beast. Best player on the ice without doubt. Always marvel at his compete level night in and night out.
88 is a world class talent but I agree with JS. He needs to stop sulking and start consistently working hard out there. Beauty SO winner but that does not excuse the amount of loafing that went on last night. I thought he took a huge leap forward in his development last season, he was dominant most nights, seems like he has regressed a bit this year so far.
29 – When a crusher thinks he’s a rusher he sits next to the usher. Healthy scratch is in his future if he doesn’t stop throwing no hitters every night.
Hawks dominated that game, glad they came out with a well deserved win.
Glad they won. Cringe worthy they got out hit 34-12. Carcillo might help a little in that regard but I still worry about this team being too small and not physical enough.
Solid game by Crawford. I saw that also imtgrill. My first thought was wtf. I am not sold on Richards. He has been much better on offense than the ball and chain 88 carried around last year but his defense is terrible. I agree with the posts here that Rozy needs to disappear. If 27 is out for a while bring up Dahlbeck to take his spot and sit Rozy. Rozy scares me every time he is on the ice. Slick deflection by Kruger. I really like the hustle and desire of 16 and 28.
Phil… once again- without a doubt Kaner stole SO move from TT in pre-season… so let’s give TT some respect… WTS- who is going to be the 1st Goalie to WATCH some video and see that 88 has used (very well I might add) that same move 4 times in a row (i believe)- and beats 88 to the punch!!!
I asked myself prior to 88 shooting- Is he going to the TT move – Again???
Bishop watched the video… he was ready for it, but just not fast enough. You can see in the replay he actually tips it, just not enough. Can that really be considered TT’s move though? I’m no hockey player, but I would classify that as a deke-right, glove side, top-shelf, back-hander. Pretty sure TT didn’t invent that….
Of course Wall, I give TT huge credit for this move and also to Kane for being able to replicate it multiple times in game situations to score. World class hands need only apply. Let’s also remember that Toews has been beating goalies for years in SO’s with the here comes the 5 hole shot too. Not so much this year, but you know the routine.
I hate the shootout but its nice to have Toews and Kane 1 & 2 at the end of OT.
Crow haters should have less to say today.
Seabrook had a bad game, he really does have 3 good games and a clunker lets hope this was hos clunker.
At the end of the day the Hawks got 2 pts and added another win against a good team. Lets hope they can keep stacking wins together.
Phil- it’s almost as if we were watching the same game!
And hit stats. Ugh. Unless it’s a Pat Foley parody account in which case that’s funny.
Kane Shootout Goal – Bishop was ready for it, just didn’t stop it. You could see how mad he was at himself for missing it.
Wall- Top line was all odd mans last night, Saad and Bickell were all odd mans against the Sharks.
I hate Hossa with Kruger and Smith. Guy needs to start pointing up and shifting with those two won’t really help.
WTF! Rosy on the power play? Why? Makes no sense. Plus, he was on one point and Richards was on the other last night. The two slowest/oldest players we have.
booman, I made the same comment at the game last night. How does Rosy go from the press box to the PP? It makes no sense
imt- honestly… how many times has 88 made that move prior to TT vs. NY preseason-and scored in SO’s???
If 27 is out… bring up Pokka- pair w/ #4 and play #4 on correct side… His TO’s are becoming an issue- evidence last nite’s Backhand gift to Bolts… If he is on strong side much better chance of seeing the forechecker there!!!
Pokka- IS very composed… and best IQ/D man there… responsible on both sides!
Sure he could use more time to learn Hawk’s system… BUT I was impressed w/ the 1 game I saw live!!!
While I am not a stat stickler, this was interesting to examine.
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/the-truth-about–track-meet–teams–puck-momalytics-215347942.html
Waitfor, it is personnel moves like Rosy on the PP that make me question what is going on in the minds of the coaching staff.
While at the game last night, I thought about a comment that I read by someone on here. Are teams just “rope-a-doping” the Hawks by keeping the Hawks on the perimeter and allowing them to take all these long range low percentage shots. They are sitting back and waiting for the opening for the hawks to allow them an odd man break. It happened several times again last night.
To give the hawks credit, they did have men in front of the net when many of their shots were directed at the net. This was two chippy games in a row now. I am waiting for the brawl that is going to bring these guys altogether as a unit. I thought it was going to happen last night. It should have with all the crap TB was dishing out.
Hawks played decent last night, but the game was not overly exciting to watch. Their play is showing in the stands. There was a spattering of empty seats last night. average attendance in 2013-2014 was 22,600. Last night there were 21,300 plus announced.
Over where I am sitting in 231 there are 4 seats next to me right in the top row that have been empty all year. I think they belong to Morgan Stanley. Yes Booman the regs are not at every game so far this year. I like the extra space though.
GREAT point about attendance, Booman. The Blackhawks avg home attendance has plummeted from 117% of capacity to 108% from 2013-14 to this year. I don’t know if they’ll be able to afford the rest next season..
No face value sellers in the parking lots that’s for sure. All tickets available are sold
Crow haters??? The man has been the best and most consistent player, this year. Jimmy Waite has got him balanced and his shoulders horizontal to the cross bar.
He is much more patient and he no longer falls forward in “one on one” situations.
I have much more confidence in Crow than in prior years. Jimmy Waite is doing a great coaching / mentoring job!!
Morin might have FINALLY got the memo from Q. He needs to play like this to stick in the NHL…certainly with the Blackhawks. And he has a golden opportunity given how unbelievably crappy Bickell has been for two seasons running. Bickell doesn’t want to get in the crease. Very sad to say, but Bickell got his payday (and got married and had a baby) and proceeded to play a self-preservation type of game on the ice…he refuses to go into harm’s way or in the crease. He refuses to do the dirty work behind the net and on the boards too. Believe me if Bowman could dump Bickell he would. But his contract makes that virtually impossible.
So Morin, seize upon the opportunity granted you. Q has given you two seasons’s worth of hints and maybe its finally getting into your thick skull what it will take for you to become a true NHL player on this team. Otherwise, don’t sublet your apartment in Rockford.
The thing I find about Carcillo coming back is will he really add physicality to the Hawks game? Who gets sent down? And…..has anyone every seen Carcillo win a fight???? I don’t mind his game so much, but not sure he has ever been an “enforcer
@waitforthewhistle
The Hawks PP has been struggling so needless to say Q is looking at everyone. But in my world Rosy would not be part of that answer.
Also its about time Shaw got moved down. I like Shaw but not as a top 6 forward
I don’t think of Carcillo as an enforcer but more of a guy that makes you keep your head on a swivel. The Penguins probably would have kept him if they didn’t already have Downey who plays the same role.
I hope they can do something to rid Rozy as that would go a long way to strengthen the D and have one or two of the young guys ready for post season
Shaw gets “demoted” why not demote Towes just for impact, Shaw is the hardest working guy in the NLH for his size and his ability that he continues to improve makes a few miss-steps and he becomes scape goat? Some “others” really need to step up and get dirty”. Morin mixing it up again to me, is a good thing, no one on the Hawks is stepping up into that role (not bully but give a fuck) Hawks Roll Over more than any team, it doesn’t reflect in wins or loses but backing up a team mate is always at the core of great teams and ya always take someone with ya to da box!. Hawks looked better and will continue to get better, they have enough talent to finis 6th and still win the CUP. Crawford looks very very confident, straight and in control. Good for him! Also you can see that TAMPA has players who can actually put the PUCK in the net with ease. Skilled shooters Hawks did well to keep them off balance. TVR looked okay!
Mr. Mook – We all love Shaw, but he’s played like crap and doing more harm than good when skating that many minutes. He’s a hard working 3rd/4th line RW dressed as a 2C. Doesn’t work.
I view Carcillo as a poor mans Raffi Torres.
As far as Crawford, the guy should be beloved. Works his ass off, never backs away from the media after a lousy performance, doesn’t flop but rather goes after people that piss him off, and seems like a pretty cool dude that would let you rub his beard. I actually thought he was pretty “off” last night, at least early on. His angles didn’t seem sharp and he fell out of position a few times. Typically when that happens it’s a bad game for him, but he was solid once again.
Booman- Shot Charts have the Hawks getting shots in exactly the same spots they have been for years. You think they are from the perimiter because they aren’t scoring, but it’s just wrong.
Thanks for the chart Phil. Very interesting. You would think Minnesota would be leading the league based on the charts.
Great attitude from Stephen Johns. No wonder Hawks were able to sign him right after senior season. A far cry from Kevin Hayes, that’s for sure :
“It was incredible to be able to play with those guys, and be with an organization like the Blackhawks,” Johns said. “We all know the situation and their depth up there, but you have to be optimistic and be ready at all times.”
Didn’t see the game so it was nice to see some props to Morin-even from R.T.F-
2nd-it was mentioned by someone last year as well-you can spell Rosy’s name wrong or #4-I still can’t pronounce it-but it’s TOEWS not Towes!
88 is featured in a youtube clip showing his 10 best SO goals through 2013 .. good stuff . No matter which ‘hand’ he uses
hell, i didn’t expect that! nice Tab
If the Hawks could have traded Rosy, Leddy would probably still be here
RTF, How does Q send that same message to Bicks?
Another supposed top goalie “Rask” showing he is average without good defence. No thanks, I will take CC.
Gbladz… Do you understand that your comment – supports my statement that- Hawks/teams are better off Skating/paying better players to play in front of Goalie- than overpaying for that position!!!
Rask is the best goalie in the league. Everyone poops the bed on occasion.
Bickell has the second most even strength points on the Hawks, so yeah, lets keep dumping on him not being good enough.
Ummmm I think that there is a normal up and down with goalies similar to pitchers in baseball. Mostly know what you’re going to get but their wins above replacement isn’t always going to be the best ever.
I don’t know that shuffling in a different goalie every two years is necessarily a better solution.
Anyway, if they were finishing their chances than this conversation would be a pretty moot point like many of the other ones. Except Shaw at 2C. That really needs to stop.
I didn’t say i agree with CC contract. I’m just saying i like him for the Hawks over Rask. JS i usually agree with a lot of things you post but Rask is not the best in the NHL. and it isn’t just this game where he has been bad. They probably won’t start him in Montreal either as he has been horrible there. I guess its more difficult when Chara isn’t blocking everything for you.
Bickell is actually third behind Saad and Versteeg.
Rad and Brad are also leading the team in points per 60. Bickell is right behind Toews.
Other fun facts; tied with Bickell for third in even strength points are Richards and greatest player of a generation Johnny Toews (but hes a slow starter so he gets a pass).
Wow, Rad and Saad. yikes
Also any goalie would hit a patch if they lost both their top defenders in one year. Boston is effectively playing with out their keith and seabrook with Chara injured and Boychuk gonzo.
Rask has a 93.8 save percentage at even strength over the last 3 years. Next up is Henry at 93.22. Pretty good.
For some reason stats.hockeyanalysis has Bickell at 7 points when he really only has 6 on the year. Weird. However, that ties him with Versteeg for points at 5v5 play. For points per 60 he’s third behind Saad and Versteeg. Regardless, let’s keep crying about he isn’t being productive enough.
Craig Anderson had 93.2 (and two out of the three were .941 and .944) but didn’t have elite Dmen that Rask has had., so Rask is a product of team defense not elite and now he is showing it.
Saw this interesting tweet from @ESPNChiHawks:
Hawks point leaders in 5-5 play:
Saad 10 pts, Bickell 7, Richards 6, Versteeg 6, Hossa, 5, Hjalmarsson 5, Shaw 4, Toews, 4.
Kane only has 2 points in 5-5 play. Morin 0 (ouch).
That says two things to me. One, the stars (19, 88, 81, 10) will start getting theirs sooner or later. Two, we’ve been in all these tight games and playing ~500 hockey because all our production is from our middle-line talent. Any other observations from those of you more in the know?
Also, Rask, historically has a bad month or two since he came into the leaghe. That’s one where you need a full season picture. Again, hes been stellar the last two years that was going to drop off a bit at some point.
Craig Anderson has also been pretty up and down most of his career. Not the guy I pay long term based on his career sample size. I prefer guys like Crawford and Howard or Quick who are going to give you about the same thing every year.
Speaking of, Quick is having a tremendous start to the season getting shelled compared to when he was more “protected” with a full lineup so I don’t think such an absolute statement is appropriate.
Another thing about goalie stuff, is always remember what teams play a D style team system/and or/personnel. Boston has had good defensive type FW along with the D men and the system they play but there not as good on offense. Those kind of teams/games usually have lowering scoring scoreboard games then some others. It would be interesting to know who has the highest save % on teams that are top10 or so offensives.
Rinne is better based on pure talent.
Mo, I would think we fit that description don’t we? Or maybe CC isn’t quite in line on sv pct… I am pretty sure the Bs have been a good scoring team as well recently even though they are thought of as D strong. Col surely would be another from last year who scored a lot but had excellent sv pct. TB probably as well ..Pitts, doubt if MAF would be that high in sv.pct. Or maybe I missed what you were getting at all together..? )
Where’s Sr Brad?
The #9 penalty shot, right after the intro picture. Kaners face (at 19) looks like Teravainen.
I was just saying that most of those top5 goalies are on teams with top5-10 defenses and that their team style and systems help their save % some. Their save % would not be as high if they were on teams with top10 offensives (how much diff., who knows). Boston has a decent off. but not top10 (other then that one yr/last yr when they won 20games in a row midseason against BUF and FLR type teams). I respect Boston offense but other then that yr (and 2013 too, roster wise) their not top10. They are every yr (usually) one of the 2 best Defense or top3 (usually) basically though.
I Was really referring to Crow, that he has a very good save % for a team that is one of the 2 best offenses or top3 basically every yr and we do not sit back like NAS, other teams, etc. always did in the past and play the type of team style system. Its hard to compare Crow to those top5 goalies unless was on a team system like they are.
gotcha mo, concur. might be time i upgrade from bead to scope!