Blackhawks Lose to Lightning In Closing Second of OT
The Blackhawks have had a nice season so far. They looked terrific in February and started March in a playoff spot.
But looking at the games on the calendar in March, it’s a totally different game coming soon. Starting Thursday night against Tampa, the Hawks were looking at about three weeks to know exactly how good they really are at this point.
If Thursday night’s game is any indication, the Blackhawks have come a long way since allowing 10 goals in two games against the Lightning to start the season.
Andrei Vasilevskiy came into Thursday’s game the front-runner for the Vezina Trophy, riding three consecutive shutouts. Could the Hawks beat him once? Enough to win the game?
It took more than 27 minutes in the game but Ryan Carpenter ended the shutout streak with a short-handed goal early in the second period.
Brandon Hagel picked up the assist on Carpenter’s goal.
Seven minutes later, Alex DeBrincat scored a second goal for the Blackhawks.
Patrick Kane and Connor Murphy picked up the helpers on DeBrincat’s goal.
At the end of 40 minutes of hockey, Chicago had a 2-0 lead on the scoreboard and a 27-17 shot advantage.
The second period might have been the best single period of hockey the Hawks have played this year. The effort was complete, every shift was intense and it showed on the scoreboard.
Unfortunately, the start of the third period was the opposite.
Chicago had a power play to start the third period. It was lazy, the passing was bad and it led to a goal for Tampa. Anthony Cirelli scored a short-handed goal 64 seconds into the third period.
The sloppy play continued and led to Steven Stamkos tying the game 2:55 into the third.
Tampa grabbed the momentum and held it for most of the rest of the third period but the Blackhawks hung in. At the end of 60 minutes of hockey the game remained tied.
The overtime period was back-and-forth. In the middle of OT both teams had great shots hit posts. Lankinen made a few great saves… but didn’t get the last one.
Victor Hedman threw a shot on net as time was about to expire. It got through. And video replay showed the puck clearly crossed the line with 0.1 on the clock, giving the Lightning an overtime game-winning skate-off(?) goal.
What we wondered coming into Thursday night’s game was whether or not the Blackhawks could hang with the defending Stanley Cup champions. With three games in four nights against Tampa before heading on a tough road trip, this was the start of the toughest stretch of games on the schedule for the Hawks.
What we learned is that the young Blackhawks have come a long way from the squad that got its ass kicked in Tampa to open the season. They competed hard and took the game to within 0.1 seconds of a shootout.
One point in the standings is a good way to start this three-game set, but the way the team played in the second period makes it hard to take the loss.
Lankinen would love to have that last shot back, but he had a good night. He saved 31 of 34 in the game and made a few really good stops in the third and overtime.
Kane led the Hawks with five shots on net. Calvin de Haan blocked a team-leading five shots.
DeBrincat’s goal was the 99th regular season goal of this career.
The faceoff circle continues to be an issue. Chicago lost 60 percent of the faceoffs on Thursday night, with Pius Suter winning only three of 15 in the game. David Kampf won 11 of 17 in the game, however.
Good game. Came out with 1 pt ..
Hagel effort on the first goal…WOW
Who will be in goal tomorrow…probably Lank .
Glad to see the young Hawks wave continuing to get experience and getting pts .
The Blackhawks, that were Stanley Cup Champions, had that same switch. They could play crap hockey for 40 minutes and the flip the switch and just dominate. Tampa Bay has that switch. This roster has 2 players from those years. They both wear A’s. Kane and Keith. While they lead with their play, perhaps it’s time they lead with a little more instruction. I’m not blaming this loss on them. Even though Hedman appeared to be Kane’s responsibility. It’s not over until the horn sounds. .1 second is still enough time to win…and Tampa did just that.
It was a strong 40 minutes. But, against a quality caliber team, like Tampa, 60 minutes is required. The kids will learn. The veterans need to be more vocal and lead a bit better. Tomorrow is another chance at 60 minutes. Let’s see what happens.
That was painful……..but in a good way, I guess. Many of us feared the Hawks couldn’t compete with these guys. They did. When the Hawks gave up the shorty, it felt terrible and we pretty well knew what was going to happen and it did. The fact that they were decent in the second half of the third showed us they wouldn’t melt down under adversity. Those great Cup winning teams always seemed to overcome adversity. They didn’t just take the lead and hold it every game.
Who is this Hagel guy? He was great even before setting up Carpenter for the shorty.
The Hawks had their chances. Highmore’s breakaway that he shot in to Vasilevskiy’s gut was one.
When the season started, none of us believed we would be where we are today. It’s been a very good development period for the young Hawks and their goalies.
I would play Subban tomorrow. You probably don’t want Lankinen playing 3 in 4 days when Subban has mostly been good. You have to show confidence in him.
The Hawks PP was terribly ineffective tonight. If memory serves, they barely sniffed it and gave up the shorty in the process.
Let’s play again tomorrow and see if we are competitive. Tonight did not really feel like a fluke.
The Hawks looked like a totally different team than Games 1 & 2 – unfortunately the Lightning looked the same, even if they Hawks kept them out of synch for a lot of the 2nd
Highmore has got to be stronger on his feet if he’s going to progress – he ends up on the ice far too often with even coincidental contact and loses a lot of the hits he tries to deliver that way too
Seemed like everyone in the lineup had their moments – Zadorov had another good game, and so did Boqvist–even when it got hairy in OT
Something to keep in mind..Kucherov and Hedman are the same age in 2021 that Kane and Keith were in 2015 when we won the cup..while the Hawks got older and their window came to a close, Tampa Bay is now in the middle of their window- while the Hawks are trying to build to a new championship window..so obviously, there is a talent and age discrepancy between the two teams..that being said, the Hawks outplayed them for two periods..they just couldn’t prevent getting sloppy with the puck for a full 60 minutes..that’s alright..they showed that even with nowhere near a full roster, they can at least play with a team that should be a cup contender for at least the next few years..it was a good litmus test to show that the systems that are in place for this team can keep them competitive against any team in the nhl..backcheck, forecheck, force them to go 200 ft, win puck battles, get clean exits out of our zone..these attributes will serve them well no matter who they’re facing..and they were still one Cat post from ending it in ot..
I can’t also help but be happy with the fact that Tampa will lose Killorn, Palat or Gourde in the draft and then still lose Goodrow and Coleman to free agency..and on top of that, they’ll still need to make one more trade just to get enough cap space to fill out their roster. Their core is excellent, but they won’t be near as deep of a team beginning next year. Always nice to see it happening to another team after having to watch it happen to the Hawks for years.
Should have been a good 2-1 win thats ok good experience if people look at TB last 15? games they have blown other team out most of those games and they are agasint top teams CAR FLR not just/only DET. So to play even with them is good for our short handed roster this yr.
We might be too good even this yr already to be in the top 8 picks right now were looking at 8-16 for draft.
Since first few games we are 12-4-5 and thats agasint good teams.
I ll still take the 8th pick though. If it comes to 15 17 or 19 then it doesnt matter. If DAL decides to not play entire 55 games we will be 4 seed no matter what.
Load young wave. Add elite ufas later.
Not a good defensive game from Kane – dangled by Stamkos and then giving on Hedman – all he had to do was close out on him for a sec longer and he didn’t
Bit hard to be too critical Kane has been awesome all year
Second period was pretty much a perfect period of hockey for the Hawks vs the Cup champs – gotta like that
There were no egregious breakdowns defensively (other than Kane) and they competed hard – was impressed that they didn’t panic after it was 2-2
I was hoping for 3 points in these TB games so 1 is a decent start – should give them some confidence going forward
Subban tomorrow Lank Sunday would be my guess
A tough way to lose but another great developmental game. The second period had to be our best of the year. D zone breakouts were really good. I really liked Hagel (again!), Kurashev and Mitchell among the young guys. Dcat’s improvement in his two way game continues to be very impressive. Probably not Kane’s best defensive game. Hope we can bring the same intensity in the next two games.
I would say the Hawks passed the test – they were able to go toe to toe with TB. There were a few mistakes but on the whole the Hawks acquitted themselves pretty well.
It was disappointing to lose with 0.01 left but I really don’t care about not getting that second point. What is also disappointing is that for as great a season as Kane is having, especially making an effort to play one the defensive side of the puck – it was his poor decision to try to spring himself for an offensive chance rather than playing defense and making sure Stamkos doesn’t get off the shot that tied the game. Yes Stamkos made a nice play but he was able to do that because Kane didn’t tie him up. Poor decision – tie game.
Hagel and Kurashev are so good at puck hunting and making plays – hopefully they learn how to finish or JC plays them with good finishers.
Pretty exciting fast pace game. Lots to process. More thoughts later.
The Hawks pace for the most part was very good – obviously a stumble for much of the third but they picked it up again after collecting themselves in the last 7 or so minutes
They’ll be pissed off now and that’s a good thing – looking forward to tomorrow
Agree with others..Kane didn’t have a ”bad” night but he did have a couple moments tonight without the puck where he was just watching flatfooted instead of either pursuing the puck or forechecking..maybe he was just frustrated with Hedman shadowing him the entire night..Kane usually plays best when he feels like he’s getting involved offensively..maybe send the Zadorov-Murphy pairing out there a couple of times with the Kane line..put Hedman into the boards once or twice and Kane will find some ice to navigate..if I remember correctly, Hedman followed Kane around during the first two games of the year against Tampa as well..it’s a smart strategy by Tampa..just shadow Kane and force another forward to beat them..so hopefully the Hawks make some adjustments..but Kane is the one Hawk I don’t really worry about..he’ll find a way to slip around Hedman eventually..
Tb has blown out other team in 12 of there last 14 games outscoring 55-22. Thats 4-1.6 per game. So if we play even in regulation/3on3 doesnt count not real hockey in 2 or 3 of the 3 games then thats good because other teams like CAR FLR beat them once but got blown out twice by TB.
Anyways look at TB sch last 14 games and see the scores.
Better for the young wavers to get more experience without 77 19 so when were full roster again next yr there will be a nice trickle. And every young player that has playe there first 82 games when they play there 2nd and 3rd full seasons there all around game will be better.
I thought the Hawks played an outstanding 2 periods with relentless forechecking and solid zone coverage.They indeed have made a lot of improvement from the opening night train wreck.The Bolts did what champions do,they took the game over in the 3rd.With no top line centers available the margin for error in the 3rd on those stretch passes.They just can’t afford those icings and repeated D Zone faceoffs.Just to be a little picky,I am not a big fan of that single D man setup on the powerplay starting the 3rd against an aggressive killing team like the Bolts.I probably would have started with Keith and Mitchell out there.It just puts Boqvist in a very difficult situation because the Bolts were pressing hard as they were down by 2.Its not the end of the world.I remember Walmark being a hell of lot more noticeable and dangerous when he played for the Canes.
Played a real good game, carried the play big time 1st 2 periods, Tampa big push back in 1st 5 mins of 3rd by a very good team cost them but no shame in that. Agree most likely Subban tonight, another big effort coming.
The first Tampa goal had Boqvist not going after the puck hard in the corner, that has to stop. Kubalik has to engage in the corners and quit floating around center ice! Hedman goal was a seeing eye goal from far out with traffic. Complaining about Kane is like bitching about the plate your steak comes on!
Although the results on the scoreboard weren’t ideal in 3rd and Ot, although could have easily been, Colliton showing confidence that this young team can play with anybody and play to win not just hang on to not lose could show big returns through time. Willing to send message of what he wants them to be by going for jugular with pp to start 3rd and putting youngster out in Ot believing they will finish and letting them see what they have to do better to make it happen looks like a good thing for the development of the team.
I’m sure that the Tampa coaches knew to be prepared for a better team but I bet the players were surprised by the effort, passing and defense in he first two periods.
Boqvist is playing better than before and for the most part is showing some promise, so Earl it is surprising for you to point out one moment for the 20 year old and forgive the veteran captain in Kane. Who should be held to the higher standard?
27 can’t win
(And again this isn’t a criticism of Kane, he’s amazing.)
They certainly out played the Bolts for 2 periods. Even in college hockey your not going to win or outplay your opponents for all 3 periods, Coach Q’s philosophy was to own the first and dominate the third period, served him well. Hawks played such a tight game it was impressive, closing on the puck, tight, really moving as a team, triangle, covering, restricting passing lanes. support, really tight, often 4 Hawks on the “Telly” on a play, very very tight, not individual players playing hard, but team effort, probably their best game over all, all season. The OT showed how tired the Hawks were, their battery was drained. . . A lucky shot by Sasquatch with no time left and it’s game, set, match. If they can play at this level of intensity they’d be hard to beat, the problem is that like VEGAS and their run for the CUP, it is so hard to play hard on every shift, just impossible. The swings in momentum in the NHL are the entire game, the team that keeps momentum (time of possession+ no penalties ) wins. Like rebounding in the NBA. Hawks did a very good job in the 3 period to battle back and slow Bolts down, got back in the game, but the Bolts are offensively deep. Great game for Hawks, deserved to win with that team effort. Very happy for Carpenter to get in the twine again, works hard and shows a pretty accurate shot unlike our boy Highmore who just can’t find the back of the net, but his fore check will keep him on the ice. GO HAWKS – one would expect a Hawks rebound tonight but I worry Bolts may have left some money on the table last night. Gotta keep Lankinen in the net tonight. * Keeping an eye on Boqvist from the couch. Made a bad unforced turnover in the OT and still seems to be confused at times, nothing horrible but nothing very good either. I still think he has had his opportunity and has done little with it, I’d take Jan Rutta back! GO HAWKS . . . I miss Dach!
Very good game against maybe the best team in the NHL. It’s hard to keep up the relentless forcheck for three periods but to beat top teams while playing without their top three centers and a bunch of rookies, they have to find a way. Even so, they could easily have won the game if Highmore had finished on his point blank opportunity or if Debrincat’s shot in OT was a millimeter lower.
I love Kane but two of the TB goals were on him unquestionably – full stop.
To somehow single out Boquist (again!) when he had another good game (again!) just reveals that some people have a personal itch they need to scratch.
Wake me up when Boquist actually loses the game for them. C’mon people be fair.
Elsewhere across the internet, the assessment of Boqvist’s game differs quite a lot from the Boqvist boo-bird crowd’s assessment that’s rooted here:
From SCH, note some actual statistics:
Adam Boqvist played great hockey, including breaking up an odd-man rush on the man advantage one shift before the Lightning scored shorthanded. He led all defensemen in this game with a 79.06 xGF%. While he was on ice for the second goal against (and the third) neither was truly his fault. He could have been better served with more minutes — he finished last on the blue line with 16:40.
Theo Fox, HockeyBuzz:
This game may have been Boqvist’s best defensive effort in his young career. His stickchecking was Keith-like. Also, his skating was much smoother which resulted in his gap control being almost flawless.
As the reporting and blog cycle gets going this morning, I’m sure more commentary will become avail.
So what’s the deal here with Boqvist? Other knowledgeable fans see (with metrics) an entirely different game than the Boo-birds here. I’m neither a parent of his nor really even a Boqvist fan; and, most fans here are far more knowledgeable about hockey than I am, but I can easily recognize a weird bias. He may have been over-drafted, who knows, but the urgency to declare a loss with Boqvist so early is just baffling, and weird.
For the Boo-bird crowd, try taking up gardening. It’ll help you with perspective on growing a player.
Earl maybe if the other 4 skaters on the ice in man defense had covered Rutta and Cirelli it would have helped too. Hope as Boqvist matures he battles more for sure, in that case though he was unlikely to win and instead of doing smart thing keeping Kilhorn to the outside and having his stick in passing lane to takeaway passing lanes to the slot there’d be nobody helping Lankinen. If you watch a few minutes later 5 on 5 Mitchell plays it the exact same way, only difference is somebody covering the point and slot and nothing comes of it. The cherry picking on him has gone from reality to an obsessive fantasy, well stated Aurora.
Hagel- no longer triple D, now he is Quad-D. Dig/Drive/Dish/Destroy.
He absolutely crushed McDonagh last nite. Didn’t know the skinny scrapper had that in him. LUV that kid!!!
Kane- I was yelling at the TV- in Final seconds- 88 can NOT let Hedman go to his Strong side– had him on Backhand- and could have easily kept him there for last few seconds- Mental mistake there.
Great 2nd period as Tab mentioned.
Would love to see Highmore or Wallmark sit a few games and bring in Brad Morrison – and give him a few games look (Tyler Johnson 2.0)
Kane gets lots of praise and rightfully so. He’s having a wonderful season and if the Hawks didn’t have Kane they wouldn’t be in a playoff position almost half way through the season and would probably be vying for that #1 draft pick. His leadership and buy-in to playing JC’s system is invaluable and deserves praise. Hell, if it wasn’t for Kane’s offense DCat doesn’t score the 2nd goal. But, he is not above criticism when warranted and when my steak shows up on an unwashed plate I’m going to complain about it.
You can complain about Boqvist not being more aggressive on TB’s shortie but he did keep Killorn from cutting into the middle which was probably his main defensive priority. The fact that the other Hawks went for a change had more to do with TB scoring that goal than anything Boqvist did or didn’t do. Rutta shows up on the scene before any of Boqvist’s teammates and gets an uncontested shot off that Kubalik has a nice view of while he’s standing in the slot waiting for the uptown bus to come by.
I can see the argument both ways regarding staying with the 4+1 PP lineup to start the 3rd period versus taking a more cautious/defensive approach using the more traditional 3+2 alignment. Playing the 4+1 is the more aggressive approach and shows confidence to keep stepping on the gas pedal and is probably the way I would have played it too – but sh!t happens.
Man, I really hope Hagel and Kurashev get rewarded by putting it into the net soon – they deserve it.
I wouldn’t call anyone playing last night a passenger but I would love to see one of the young players draw in for Wallmark who has yet to do anything worthy of staying in the lineup, that I can recall.
WOW – Seabs just announced his retirement.
Weak Defensive coverage by Kane on the Stamkos goal…went around him like a pylon….but hey he can’t do EVERYTHING for this team. Great 2 periods….team.is looking better and better and the rookies are filling in quite nicely.
Too bad Cat didn’t post it in on his OT shot….dang it !!
ER – fortunately for Strome Wallmark has been underwhelming although he did have some good moments last night I thought but he’s not really pushing Strome out at this point
Putting a more defensive PP out to start the third is playing not to lose – that’s not the attitude a good team like the Hawks are trying to be has – I was perfectly fine with using PP1 there
Good post Aurora – I’ve read some of LBR’s statistical analysis on Boquist and it backs up what some of us see here – he’s making progress and performing quite well of late
Natural Stat Trick is another place to check out – I like the Chances For vs Chances Against stat while that player is on the ice
In recent games Boquist is usually on the positive side of that including last night as was DeHaan – Mitchell was underwater by comparison – these stats are counted in all different situations but also broken down to just 5 on 5 as well as others
I know Boquist is getting some sheltering but it seems he’s slowly taking on more responsibility and progressing in the right direction- even now he’s an positive asset and he’s still got a lot of room to grow
Hagel …
Is it me or this guy can get a first to third star almost every game because he is always doing something right.
Hopefully we can get another guy like him in next draft when we pick at around 18-22 .i am really happy with the young wave so far …everybody is playing at a high level and we have another pt …but we need a bit more to get a win in the next 2 games ..iff we get 3 pts on 6 against Tampa it would be a Huge accomplishment I think .
Go Hagel and Hawks Go
I was thinking this time would be different. They controlled most of the game except the first 10 minutes of the 3rd and it cost them. They’re still learning but this was way better than the first 2 games. I thought a win, a loss and an OT loss would look pretty good actually, it would show they can compete with these guy’s. Lets get a win tonight!
Let’s get a win tonight!! They competed most of the night except for 10 minutes of the 3rd which cost them.
Interesting that the goals by both teams were identical. Short handed/good play by us and Short handed/sloppy play by us and seeing eye screened shoot at weird time/excellent idea and seeing eye/shoot at weird time when traffic time. Carbon copy. Even though they are best team since 2015 Blackhawks dynasty team in league we outplayed them/what I was going to say was this.
Yes they flipped switch turned it on after 2nd it was us being sloppy/not them bein superman PK that got them there short handed goal.
Anyways we look to be too good/already with some og the young wave in there fricken first 20 games in league that it would be a miracle to get top 8 pick. Were in that 8-16 pick area and looking like the 15 17 19 pick area is how good we are already and thats without both top 6 centers/ 77 19.
Load young wave. Add elite ufas later.
About Kane.
Yess he was sloppy at time but to change that bad habit takes time ….remember that it’s just recently that he is adjusting to the JC style of game ….not easy to change at over 30 .
Hawks played very well last night against a formidable team. I think Bolts might have took Hawks a little for granted following beat downs earlier in the season. I was looking forward very much to the contest last night as a good marker for the progress of this Hawks team. Hawks showed up and played very competitive hockey for much of the game. That early 3rd period letup was costly, and opened the window for the Bolts to cash in. As noted by an earlier poster, good teams can put the foot down on the gas when they need to.
This Hawks roster is giving a solid effort down the lineup with defensive pairings doing a decent job and the 4 forward lines pretty cohesive and finding some chemistry. I see a big difference with this team compared with the past few seasons in the persistent forecheck they are bringing and the willingness of forwards to hustle back and play some defense by being in the shooting/passing lanes or going to get pucks along the boards. Up and down the ice the forwards are really competing for puck control, and this is in a lineup that can’t be called physically intimating at all. This is creating takeaways and forcing turnovers in the offensive zone which brings scoring chances. I like it!
Given the schedule ahead to finish the month I would be really pleased to see the Hawks go .500 in these games. If they play with the determination they showed last night it’s possible. Beat the Bolts tonight boys.
So Seabs is hanging em up. He was a real warrior for this team. Heartfelt thanks to him for all he brought to this team and to this city! Quite a career.
Let’s Go Hawks!
YEa I think I saw that one he used his balance and kind of startled the player in close instead of charging from father away/big hit style. I was like yea baby!
It made me think of this.
BLUTO
March 5, 2021 at 9:24 am
Hagel- no longer triple D, now he is Quad-D. Dig/Drive/Dish/Destroy.
He absolutely crushed McDonagh last nite. Didn’t know the skinny scrapper had that in him. LUV that kid!!!
This was Boqvist’s best defensive game. He is learning I just wish JC would pull back the reins on him playing 3 on 3. He’s just not ready for that role.
Now watch for Tampa to be a lot more aggressive tonight. They barely got by a team full of rookies who they ran over the first 2 games. If they took it easy last night thinking it was gonna be an easy game that won’t happen tonight. They very well could have been embarrassed last night. Hope the kids are ready.
A TB blog writer is calling the game last night one of their worst of the season which is basically saying it was less about the Hawks paying well and more about the Bolts playing poorly. So be it – we all tend to view things through the lens of our team, but he may not be wrong. I guess the proof will be seen tonight – will the game be more like the Bolts’ dominance in the first 2 games or more like a repeat of last night? Can’t wait to see.
I hope Lankinen gets the start again tonight and let Subban play Sunday. If TB comes out guns ablazing tonight, and they probably will, I prefer to have the better goalie in net.
Hagel is one Hason we need two more. Barratt? and who?
Hawks2010- Re: Hagel being top 3 star almost every game
yes to Hagel
He is kinda like Frolik– just doing positive things every shift. Superb awareness, speed, desire. Albeit Frolik was much stronger, Hagel probably more agile/nimble in shifting gears. If the Kid ever gets stronger/and stronger release- he will be Real good. Now he is just really – disruptive -in a great way.
ONLY one poor game he played this year– Hawks looked like crap!
Great effort by the hawkd
it takes 18 skaters to fill all of the roles. hagel has cemented one of those forward roles. going forward if the hawks roster is good enough to push him to the third line it is likely he will outplay his counterpart every night. in two years would love to see hagel, kurashev, and suter as the third line. that would speak volumes about the talent in the top six.
Yikes . . . whad up with the Kane observations? Since when is Kane the step brother of Marián Hossa? Kane is a below average defender . . .full stop, period and all that stuff. He gets PAID BIG BUCKS to roam, fast break, drift and free form. Defense? Defense? Maybe he gets a good back check in or stick lift but keep an eye on him and you’ll see a lots of blown coverage. Damn, he plays like the entire game on all lines over 23 minutes last night. Long live Kanerrrr . . . easy kids.
I like Boqvist and think he’ll have a good career in the NHL but not going hard for the puck is not the way. As far as giving Kane a pass his 3 cups give him a much longer leash.
Kane has been praised this season for his commitment to play defense, and rightfully so because it’s been noteworthy. But, it’s fair to criticize him when that commitment is lacking as it was twice last night which led directly to 2 goals against. I’m not making more of it then it is – merely being consistent to praise when warranted and criticize when warranted. It’s OK – Kane’s reputation can take it – no need to protect him.