Blackhawks Hammer Canucks, Start Circus Trip Strong

The Blackhawks were dominated in their own building by the Canucks ten days ago.

In Vancouver, the Hawks returned the favor with a 5-1 beating.

Into the second period, Corey Crawford was carrying the Hawks. Duncan Keith was excellent on the back end, playing 29:54 on the night and blocking three shots.

Blocked shots were key for the Hawks on the night, as they did a much better job keeping pucks away from the net. Niklas Hjalmarsson, who didn’t play a great game, did block six shots on the nice. Keith, Steve Montador, and Andrew Brunette blocked three shots apiece as well.

Chicago was able to get their power play working as well after allowing five power play goals to the Canucks in the United Center. The Hawks scored on two of three power plays in the game, the second of which from Patrick Kane was the game-winner.

Five different Hawks scored in the game. Brunette scored his fourth to open the scoring just over five minutes into the second, and Kane’s power play goal just over ten minutes in gave the Hawks a 2-1 lead.

In the third, the Hawks scored three goals in 4:03 to blow the game wide open. Patrick Sharp, Jonathan Toews and Steve Montador all put the puck in the net and the Canucks didn’t show any willingness to fight back in the final five minutes.

Toews scored his tenth goal of the season as he and Hossa continued to blow up the box scores since they started playing together in Columbus. In their last four games, Toews has eight points (five goals, three assists) and Hossa has eight points (one goal, seven assists).

The Blackhawks have the longest winning streak in the Western Conference (four), and their 27 points are the most in the NHL.