Blackhawks Waste Duncan Keith’s First Goal
The Blackhawks have sucked lately, and haven’t received anything from many of their core players.
So of course that’s where the offense started on Thursday night.
After a first period that saw the Hawks out-shoot the Ducks 14-10 and kill two penalties (while wasting three power plays of their own), things escalated quickly in the second period.
Cam Fowler went to the box 53 seconds into the middle period and the Blackhawks actually took advantage.
And as the clouds parted and the heavens opened up, it was Duncan Keith’s time to score a goal. Finally.
Jonathan Toews and Alex DeBrincat picked up the helpers on Keith’s first – FIRST – goal of the 2017-18 season (on Feb. 15).
If Keith is contributing offensively, who else feels like joining the party? How about Brandon Saad?
That goal, off a nice pass from Vinnie Hinostroza, gave Chicago the dreaded two-goal lead.
And that margin lasted… 41 seconds.
Nick Ritchie got Anaheim on the board quickly after the Saad goal and Ondrej Kase tied the game less than three minutes later – a trend that’s been all-too familiar for the Hawks this season.
But the Blackhawks didn’t fold up as they have many times recently.
With 1:51 left in the second period, Ryan Hartman absolutely unloaded on Jakob Silfverberg, earning him a standing ovation from the United Center faithful.
Ryan Hartman flattens Jakob Silfverberg with a legal check. #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/nWexUOdJ3U
— Cristiano Simonetta (@CMS_74_) February 16, 2018
That hit predictably led to not one but two Ducks jumping Hartman. Josh Manson couldn’t get his gloves off fast enough and threw his weight around while Hartman avoided as much of the heat as he could.
The result: minor roughing penalties on Manson… and Hartman? Apparently Hartman’s jersey roughed up Manson’s hand while he tried to throw punches. Manson received a second roughing penalty on the play (served by Rickard Rakell) as the second period came to a feisty close.
After 40 minutes, both teams had put 28 shots on goal. Both goaltenders had stopped 26. And thing were getting interesting.
Unfortunately – and predictably – the next goal was scored by the Ducks. Adam Henrique gave Anaheim the 3-2 lead at 8:34 into the third with his 18th of the season. Ritchie and Kase had the assists on the Henrique goal, giving Kase a three-point night and Ritchie a two-point effort.
After the Henrique goal, the Blackhawks out-shot the Ducks 13-3. None of those Hawks shots got past Josh Gibson, and another 2-0 lead turned into a 3-2 loss for Chicago.
Brent Seabrook led the Hawks with ten shots on net. Hartman had a team-leading seven hits. Toews won 14 of 20 faceoffs.
Chicago’s scratches were David Kampf, Tomas Jurco and Erik Gustafsson.
The “veterans” should be sat; if for no other reason to give the inexperienced players experience.
Puzzling to me how his team is tumbling into a free fall. There’s talent on this team. More than what they’re showing. Don’t get it.
also call up Svedberg, put him on wing; bang big powerforward….then put him in between the dots and net on the powerplay…there that’s the best I’ve got to fix the team internally.
When they went up 2-0 I was like no no no. The last thing I want to see now are meaningless wins or points. But, true to form they snatched defeat out of the jaws of victory and all is well in Tankville.
There was talk after last game where goalie losses were discussed and I threw my 2 cents in to say that the goal tending has been bad but there are more intrinsic deficiencies in this team than goal tending. That said, I think this could qualify as a goalie loss. That’s not to say the Hawks played well in other areas – they didn’t, but it is to say the best NHL goalies stop at least one or two, if not all three of the goals Forsberg gave up tonight. The difference between an NHL goalie and an AHL goalie is the percentage of high quality chances they stop. Forsberg is an AHL goalie.
Keith scored! Moving on …
Saad scored! Moving on …
Kane didn’t score! What’s his career scoreless game record? Anyone know?
Washington next. Probably get our lunch handed to us from them and really couldn’t care so long as they come away with 0 points. I commented if the Hawks keep losing they may get in the top-5 of the draft and maybe get a stud d-man like Evan Bouchard (11th in scoring in the OHL), but if they can really get into a sustained free fall – who knows, maybe even studlier d-man Rasmus Dahlen could be in play. Either one of those two could be the Hawks #1 d-man of the future.
BS cut Kane’s knees out when he traded Panarin!!!!! Period end of story
Team needs a heart transplant! As long as the core’s not going anywhere, this teams not going anywhere. Huge blunder of a trade last summer…make that two blunders! 19 has become a turnover machine. Q has that deer in the headlights look.
As long as the core’s not going anywhere, this teams not going anywhere. Huge blunder of a trade last summer…make that two blunders! 19 has become a turnover machine. Q has that deer in the headlights look. Team needs heart transplant.
As long as the core’s not going anywhere, this teams not going anywhere. Huge blunder of a trade last summer…make that two blunders! 19 has become a turnover machine. Q has that deer in the headlights look.
If were going to play ok to good and not get 2 pts that might be best thing for pick. Donot want to route for that that is prob best thing for roster.
I was routing for us to win when we scored 1-0, again. and when we scored 2-0 I was ok we win this game. Go to take a piss come back and its 2-1 I like fuck. Didn’t see 3rd on way home. If you want to win no pissing until intermission and stay where you are when your winning.
17-6-1 when scorning 1st now were like 0-4-1 recently. 500 would be ok/bad/not that good/ok under when scoring 1st not.
The guys donot deserve this losing streak but ut us best thing possible you could hope for if not going to win which ever of games of these last 33 for pick.
Other then wanting to win for the guys not mad at all during this bad (record wise) stretch beause we know what it means for pick and team roster better future.
…..although they have Hartman this team has no heart….as evidenced by no one coming to Hartman’s rescue when attacked….although Hartman was trying to be smart in getting his team on the power play….lol…Im sure the Ducks know that Hawks power play sucks by now…that was the the turning point in the game!….where is John Scott btw…..lol…?
When you start reading “Losing isn’t everything- it’s the ONLY thing” morale has to be at an all time low?! With the season tanked let’s start extra owing the youth movement ASAP! Limit the veterans time, bring up Hayden ( at 6’3”, 225 lbs he shouldn’t be in Rockford!) and Highmore and any reasonable “D” and let the KIDS play!! And maybe bring up the Rockford coach for a few games!!! This “lack” of performance is so painful for Hawks fans but let’s showcase the youth- and please Stan, do what ya gotta do with Wingels, Bouma and Jurco for future picks!!
I didn’t watch the game, watch the Hawks have been a choir lately but wanted to come here for the recap. Crow masks the Hawks flaws, once he returns this team will start winning. Shouldn’t be too much longer at this point.
I actually did think this was a fun game to watch except for Murphy falling down to give up the first goal’s chance and the other errors that led to the other two goal’s chances. Not being sarcastic there. There were some “better” things going on, and I thought they were going to beat the punk bunch of Anaheim creeps.
Quenneville’s most egregious coaching error this season has been his handling of Michael Kampny. Here’s a talented defenseman who, with a bit more grooming and solid coaching, could conceivably be a top-4 guy. He’s got speed, mobility, an offensive approach, a strong shot, and a willingness to play tough.
What did he need to grow into his potential top-4 self? A vote of confidence from his coach and plenty of ice time to learn from his mistakes. Instead, Q chose to scratch him repeatedly. Often for long stretches. A team starved for quality, younger defenseman sees its head coach be petty and foolish with a guy who could be a solid addition going forward into the new era, which is quickly upon us.
Yes, three cups. Thank you. He was a big part of it. But past success doesn’t mean present infallibility. The Q apologists need to stop citing the past success when defending him–it’s irrelevant. Woody Hayes punched out an opposing player and got canned. Should we have cried, “But what about all those Big Ten titles?” No. His past success meant nothing toward the end.
We’re about to rebuild. We need a new direction and a new system. And thus a new voice. Q must go, for the good of the franchise.
His bizarre and ineffective handling of Michael Kempny alone is evidence enough to indict and convict him of stale, outdated coaching.
ER you are correct, outside of Crow the Hawks have the worst goalies in the NHL. I’m not excusing the overall play but you simply cannot win with that goaltending.
It is unfortunate that Stan Bowman made emotional decisions regarding this roster which has caused this team to become as it is today.
Knee-jerk reactions and allowing his emotions to get the better of him and to make poor decisions and or falling in love with players, is no way to manage a team within the salary cap.
He got this job due to his father and unfortunately for us, we have a team that is in serious need of a rebuild from the top down.
Bomba – I couldn’t agree more. Excellent post. Last year’s handling of Kempny was just a precursor to this year. Unfortunately I do not see how Kempny would want to re-sign with us (not sure if he’s RFA or UFA-I believe he’s UFA). To the others I acknowledge Stan Bowman’s part in the Hawks’ current dilemma. I am simply agreeing on this accurate assessment of our head coach.
Bomba so many of us have seen this about Kempny-something must have happened, or something we don’t know about his character–because he is a top 4 guy on a team that is desperate for a top 4 player?
He made a couple of errors last night but who wouldn’t on this current team, especially when you only play so often and need to showcase your skills. (at least he has those tools to show)
I think this transition, and it’s more than a re-build as a new approach is necesssary– can’t happen with Q and at his age and place in hockey history he might better take one more team on the cusp-it’s just more of a win-win.
Final thought-again goon hockey is done but they lack a certain toughness when it’s needed-sometimes they play too skilled and soft. And it needs to be a top six forward and/or top 5 defensemen. Now one may be Hayden.
Bomba – honor roll post.
Agree with Bomba
Adding that I did not see Q question the refs on what offense Hartman committed to earn a roughing call. He just seems willing accept the inevitable.
Q skated Dunks 26 last night. I would bet a beer that Dunks lays a turd Sat against Wash.
Is Bouma a difference maker? Does he have more potential than Kampf? Which of these player has the potential to be a contributor next year and which one sat in the press box last night. Will the Hawks improve next year with Wingels on the PP. Is Sharp in the plans for next year? I am not a fan of Jurco’s play, I do think it has more upside than Sharp.
This is why Q fails. Every decision from here on should be evaluated in term of the team future development.
While I appreciate the love for Michal Kempny, what has he actually done to warrant the love affair that some fans have with him? He’s a nice defenseman. Cody Franson is a nice defenseman who’s in Rockford. Jordan Oesterle has done more to win nightly minutes when given the opportunity than Kempny.
If we’re going to cry foul and point to specific player(s) whose handling has been a mistake but Q/Bowman/both, I think the idea that Patrick Sharp has a roster spot in Chicago and John Hayden is in Rockford is far more appalling than Kempny being part of a bag of loose parts that doesn’t function on the blue line.
If you think replacing Saad w/ Panarin makes this year’s Blackhawks a playoff team I’ve got oceanfront property for sale in Utah…
Finally, re: “call up Svedberg, put him on wing” – whatever you smoked last night before posting, please never do that again. I’m concerned for your well being. Sincerely.
I am not sure what to make of this debacle. To me, this catastrophic failure is an accumulation of young talent, lack of goaltending depth, aging veteran players, a GM that gave out terrible contracts and a coach who sits the wrong players.
I can’t watch this, anymore. It’s too painful. Is this team really this bad or are the hockey gods leveling out the field(ice) for 3 Stanley Cups in 6 years?
I liked the fact that Saad and Wingels actually STOPPED in front of the net on Saad’s goal. Most times our guys do a “fly by” and never get to the puck.
We may not win another game this season.
@ Tab
I can’t speak for others about Kempny, but for me, he passed the eye test long ago. He looks like an NHL 4th defenseman based on his play on ice. Osterle, on the other hand, looks like a guy who needs to be in RFD. Good offensive upside and just a total liability on his end of the ice. Kempny like any NHL dman will make mistakes but he more then makes up with his offense and with his overall play. Kempny is just an extension of Tevor Daley a guy Q couldn’t stomach for whatever reason who was an effective NHL dman. I’m not pretending Daley was something “special” either, However on this Hawks team, lacking NHL dman I think Kempny should be playing more. At Minimum Kempny should be playing so he is tradable at the deadline.
We are arguing about more Kempny and Kampf? Seriously? Kampf is a 4th line center with extremely limited offensive skills, and not as good defensively as many 4th line centers in the NHL. He is below average at a 4th line role. No big deal if he sits out a game. He is only playing because our GM had Tanner Kero in a center slot to start the season. Both of them are fringe NHL/AHL guys.
I believe it was the 2nd goal Kempny let his guy get a step behind him at our offensive blueline, and couldn’t catch him all the way up the ice as the guy scored. Bad game to be arguing for more of a guy that gave up a crucial goal to the loss. Unless you like losing.
You have to do something with your icetime in the NHL. The NHL is not a development league. You have to win. If you look like Hercules out there on defense, but let a guy get behind you to give up a goal that costs your team a win, you aren’t gonna play a lot. On any NHL team.
Don’t get me wrong….I’m glad they lost too. Hartman had a great hit in response to Debrinkat getting hit similarly earlier in the game. They need a lot more of that. I agree with the poster that said it is disturbing to see 3 Ducks guys jump Hartman and not one Hawks player do anything but stand around and watch. This team is soft and has not bonded well at all.
ER is spot on too about how goaltending was the difference in the game, and I too am concerned about how much more we are going to win games like these when Crow comes back. It is inevitable.
SSHM- agree on Kempny… yes- he made terrible play/pass… which led to break-away goal… But- he was caught on wrong -Right hand side… and he should have made that mistake- 40 games ago (if he was allowed to play- and not healthy scratched)…
and perhaps that mistake would have been “learned/corrected ” long ago
6 meets the eye test… which is more than we can say for several other D guys right now….
At the game last night we saw more of the same pattern. Plenty of scoring chances with poor finishing, zero puck luck, and defensive mistakes that somehow always go into Hawks net. Of course it was a goaltending win for Gibson and goaltending loss to Forsberg. The better keeper won as to be expected.
I will not throw Q under the bus while this team is entrenched in what has to be considered a historical collapse. Every year some fans want him sacked. Just look back on this blog. Every year Q has some line blending combos that cause us fans to ask WTF is he thinking? Players benched while others play that are tough to explain.
Has Joel lost the room? I doubt it, but clearly there is a collective negative malaise and sense of doom that has this team in its grip at the moment. We can all see it. This team is playing as though they are afraid to lose. Q is a pro, but looks as frustrated as his players are. Coaches have to play the players that are on the roster. I believe more blame goes to Bowman in this regard, but that is just my opinion. Yes, I would like to have seen Kempny play more, but I’m not the coach. Maybe it is time to blow the whole thing up, GM on down. Some hard decisions will be made moving forward.
Can anyone EVER remember this team losing 7 home games in a row? Not me. There have been some bad Hawks teams in my lifetime and I go back to early 60’s as a fan. This home losing streak has been pretty bizarre to watch unfold. This team isn’t that bad, yet they find ways to lose and not win. The late game barrage the Hawks unleashed last night should have netted 1-2 goals easy. Pucks just don’t go in. They have not won a home game in over a month! Bizarre stuff.
I still find the Ducks one of the more loathsome teams in the NHL. Hell, Bieksa didn’t even play. I could never cheer for the Ducks,,,, unless they played the Blues for the conf final. Then I might hold my nose and hope for a 7 game series where St Louis would lose yet again.
Good for Hartman last night. Great, clean open ice hit on a guy that had his down and was asking for it. So how does Hartman not throw a punch, gets mugged by 2 guys and Hawks only get a lousy 2 min PP out of that BS??
Growing numbers of empty seats at the game last night. It’s a buyers market with seat prices sharply discounted for those that want to watch this death march continue.
Serenity now!
Lets Go Hawks!
Re Kempny: I’ll argue that better coaching would’ve made him a better player this year. Is he great? Of course not. But could Q and the staff have done better with him? I think so. How did the constant healthy scratching help develop him? C’mon–admit that Q didn’t handle him as well as he could have. Stop defending his habits that are ineffective.
5’s gaffe on the first goal is really emblematic of our season. A weak play and an even weaker effort after the gaffe when he sat on the ice flailing as the Duck player blew by for a breakaway goal. I’m not kidding, that looked like PeeWee level hockey (with apologies to all Pee Wees out there)
I agree HIM with your assessment of Kampf but the idea that TAB puts forward is most sage. It’s time to see what you really have in Kampf, Hayden, Highmore, etal. Guys like 10, 13 and 17 …we already know. This is now about the future and as Tab and others have stated, that ship has sailed on 10.
Let ALL the kids play to see what you have for next year and beyond.
PS. The goaltending indeed is AHL quality at best. I know it has already been said but I couldn’t help,but throw that Out there again.
Bomba Kempny wanted a out clause last year so he didn’t have to go to Rockford, where kids get developed so its hard to blame anybody but himself there. He made his decision that he was ready for NHL and limited his options snd the coaches. He is heading for 28 not 21 so its do or head home time.
Yes Murphy fell down at the offensive blueline without ANYONE touching him and then couldn’t get up, giving his guy a breakaway he buried for the first goal. It would have been hilarious if it wasn’t so sad.
Sure I think Kempny would have benefited from consistent ice time this year. When Seabs and Keith came up, the team was a league wide doormat and they played through all kinds of stuff but they became the players they are, 3 time Cup champs. Sadly I don’t think we will ever see in Chicago what he becomes, he shows glimpses, and then he does really dumb things like last night.
The 2018 Blackhawks are not the Blackhawks Seabs and Keith broke in with in 2007-ish. The 3 Cups have left a winning atmosphere here and there is less tolerance for losing and mistakes than there was in the past. As it should be. But perhaps the Crow injury and the death spiral we are in are changing all of that for this year.
I don’t know about you but I really don’t care to see this kind of clown show year in and year out. It reminds me of how bad we were in the 1990’s when the ABC line was our big hope.
When Crow comes back this team will win more. Not because of save percentage or GAA, because confidence. This team lacks confidence right now and the goalie position is the one closest to being an NFL QB or a monster starting pitcher. It’s the difference between playing aggressive cause you know that guy is back there and playing scared because you know you can’t make a mistake which inevitably happens anyway.
Tab-while Cody Franson may have been a nice defenseman, he isn’t anymore-not with his painfully slow food speed and the new quickness in the NHL. Why I agree we are talking too much about a ‘part time’ player he is light years ahead in the potential department, than Mr. Franson.
—but bigger issues ahead for the Hawks than Kempny
@ HEREISMIKE
I haven’t heard ABC line in forever; Tyler Arnason, Kyle Calder & Mark Bell. WOW those days… I just read blog about Josef Marha, and Foley bitching about him after he took a dumb plenty and Al MacInnis broke Jocelyn Thibault hand on a slapshot goal.
I remember I always thought Marha was good. He wasn’t and neither was Jocelyn Thibault or anyone on the Hawks back then. Dark days for sure!
There’s no reason to argue about anything/everybody here is right/99% and for what is best for roster for coming yrs.
We’re going to make the right moves. We have lots of cap space no player bonuses and cap going way up. We went long time with certain roster and when it’s time we’re going to be aggressive with the roster.
Crow and bad bounces breaks instant replays was a big part along with our own problems. Now we’ll get a top pick and do what we were going to do anyways with roster eventually. This record could be the difference maker we need with that high end player we wouldn’t have gotten otherwise.
I think we should stack young players/prospects and add with free ufa in summer. New cba might come at a perfect time for us as well.
Great post by Bomba. My decision rule on Q–has he adjusted his system to match the skills on the roster? I don’t think so. As for Stan, name a cup winner over the last 10 years whose GM has managed the roster better. There are none. Some of his moves haven’t worked out, but his batting average beats any of his peers. He’s found players no other team found. The posters who say we have great young talent also say they want SB fired. If Q had his way, we’d still have AP and NH, make the playoffs, lose both of them after next season with no assets in return. This approach took the Isles from a dynasty to 30 plus years of awful. We’ve drafted at the bottom for 10 years but still have young talent. I like Q, but we need a new voice who can rejuvenate the stars the way Sullivan ignited Crosby and Malkin. Toews and Kane aren’t even 30 yet. A new vision is needed.
Good trade relations with OTT. We did same thing with other teams before later getting a good player when we needed to by overpaying some to help that team then later when we need something were the team that gets the player. We got 80 by overpaying a little for Rundy.
One thing for sure about coach talk and change-once it gains momentum it usually happens-no disrespect to the future Hall of Famer.
New team, new design-fresh start…But you need to right guy and the relevant players to buy in.
CINCOD1 is spot on. The Hawks would play with more confidence and fire with Crow. Just like the right QB or pitcher. In fact, when a goalie gets pulled after letting in some bad ones, the replacement is more than just stopping the bleeding. It’s to motivate the team to play better, which sometimes works (not in our case with two AHL goalies).
To Hereismike’s point re: Kempny. There’s a level of talent there that seems appealing and maybe another coach could get the best out of him but I think for Q what he sees is a D man a little short on smarts and that doesn’t sit well with Q. For example Q constantly played TVR because he played smart – Kempny’s got talent (although I don’t think top 4 talent) but not smarts. I don’t think Q sees him here beyond this year so is not that interested in developing him if there is any developing left to be done – he is 27. He could be a late bloomer I suppose but probably not. He probably is what he is.
Also agree with ER – Hawks have been out goal tended in every one of these losses on the current streak unless my memory is very hazy.
For a while Forsberg and Glass were average and the Hawks were hanging in but on this slide they’ve definitely been below average to outright terrible.