Crawford, Blackhawks Tame The Wild
The Blackhawks came into Sunday’s late morning start three points behind the Wild in the Central Division. While it has been a fun weekend in Chicago, there was absolutely no hangover from the Hawks after struggling offensively in their previous two games.
Chicago jumped all over Devan Dubnyk. Patrick Kane got the party started 51 seconds into the contest.
It took the Hawks almost four minutes to get another shot on net, but when they did it was 2-0 Chicago and Dubnyk’s day was over.
Dubynk lasted 4:38, allowed two goals and made zero saves.
The Wild cut the lead in half at 10:30 when Eric Staal scored, but Chicago held the lead after 20. Minnesota out-shot the Hawks 13-7 in the first. Kane, Panarin and Artem Anisimov were on the ice for all three goals, and Corey Crawford was terrific.
Crawford dominating was the storyline of the afternoon, especially in the second period. Chicago’s netminder faced 20 shots in the middle stanza and stopped them all, while the offense gave him a bigger cushion.
After two periods, Chicago held a 3-1 lead but was trailing 33-15 in shots.
Mikael Granlund cut the lead to 3-2 at 46 seconds into the third, but the Blackhawks were able to take advantage of a few bad penalties by Minnesota. At 13:42, Marian Hossa took advantage of a terrible Minnesota change and put the final nail in the coffin.
The Blackhawks defense – especially Crawford – was on point the rest of the way. Minnesota cut their comeback hopes short when Matt Dumba went to the box with 2:09 left in regulation. Ryan Suter joined him in timeout with 27 seconds left in regulation and watched as the Blackhawks were happy to pass the puck in a circle while the clock ran out.
Final score: Blackhawks 4 – Wild 2. And Chicago is one point behind Minnesota in the Central Division.
Crawford was superb, stopping 42 of 44 in the win.
He got some help blocking shots from the skaters in front of him on Sunday. Johnny Oduya (four), Niklas Hjalmarsson (three) and Duncan Keith (three) accounted for ten of the Hawks 17 blocks. Oduya skated 21:20 with an assist and a hit in the game as well. Hjalmarsson led the Hawks with two takeaways and also had an assist in the game.
Kane and Panarin finished with a goal and an assist each, while Anisimov won 12 of 20 at the dot.
Tomas Jurco and Dennis Rasmussen were scratched in favor of Jordin Tootoo and Andrew Desjardins. Tootoo picked up an assist van Riemsdyk’s goal in the second period and Desjardins was tripped by Dumba to give the Hawks’ the game-ending power play.
Crawford was very good today.
This game was like the hockey gods giving the Hawks a “make do” for the game against the Ducks on Thursday – lost one we should have won and won one we should have lost. Thanks Corey.
True ,true ,tit for tat .
Watching this game made me wish the playoffs started tomorrow.
The Crow, you got to level 6, I only got to level 5. Beauty playing.
The Wild looked very good today but goaltending may continue to be an issue for them. I have never been completely sold on Dubnyk. Great to see Hoss looking so strong as we head into the home stretch.
We beat them in the dot today (55%) and all four centers were at least 50%. I just mention that because (without checking) my recall is that they have owned us there in past. I was wondering if Hayden might give us a right hand draw, but he is 37% for the year and that won’t go up. I think Jurco’s audition for this year might be over for the most part and I am for keeping the much-maligned Desjardins in the lineup over him.
I am not a fan of Jurco being in the line up, based on his play to date, but recall reading something here about the need for him to dress for about 10 games as part of Stan’s plan for the expanision draft. Is that correct?
Smitty, I believe that is correct. Jurco needed 10 games by the end of the season to qualify for the expansion draft. He has gotten 6 of the 10 with the Hawks having 14 games remaining in the regular season – so still plenty of time to get him 4 more games.
Again, Jurco meeting the games played requirement is one issue. Him being under contract in Chicago is another. He’s RFA this summer.
all Jurco needs from the Hawks is a qualifying offer. (minimum in my eyes). Then he either steps up or gets buried at the Rock. The Rosival and Tootoo signings protected Hartman and Panik. Need one more signing (probably Ras) to protect Schmaltz, Hinistroza and Kempny. No way to protect TVR and Kruger. The Hawks will probably want Kruger to be taken for salary cap relief.
Good
Crow- Best game in a long time, very nice!
Kero- Made some real nice back-checks and tackled a few guys in the slot, this is why Q likes the kid!
Keith
Hoss- the burst up the middle, the Shot was awesome, but really the most incredible part of the play– the soft hands to catch that pass/from that angle with that speed… akin to a receiver catching a bomb/full speed over the back of his head.
Bad
Schmaltz- a Little TT like today
Seabrook- Coughed it up, and got burned a few times, looked ‘Rosey-like” versus Preds 2015
The Good-getting two points. Hammer is back! Good goaltending, basically all year.
The Bad-getting outplayed, out worked–Wild play hard and fast-wouldn’t mind the Hawks missing them in the playoffs.
Honestly Jurco hasn’t looked good at all in the games he has played.
Update-D-Cat streak over (got an assist in a 7-0 win) They have one big game Tuesday in Erie vs. London-if they win he probably rests last two games.
Just got home from my beer league game. Our 2 guys from Minnesota looked at me when I walked into the room and both said “your f—in Blackhawks”
I explained to them that the Hawks in the late 80s were great and made the Conference final but could not beat Gretzky and the Oilers or Messier and the Oilers.
I told them they have an excellent team but in a matchup of skill, the Hawks are going to win time and again. Hate to be cocky, but we are just better. Fact.
Gotta say it was a day for mixed up names. Doc calling Kane, Hossa. Then almost calling TVR, James. And I had the radio feed for awhile and Wiedeman called Desjardins, Eric instead of Andrew. Must have been all out drinking the Green Water on Saturday night in preparation.
To give Jurco a qualifying offer you’d have to give him 105% of his current salary. So you’d have the offer would have to be at least 997.5k.
Tomas Jurco for a million bucks…anybody? ANYBODY?
Thank you Corey Crawford – World Class Stanley Cup Goalie. Thank you for 2013 and 2015 and for yesterday. You made my day!!!!
Is Darling back already?
Darling is back…
Little Louis signed to 2 year ELC?
Yep
Now were back to full health. It takes a good wk for that flu shit. Keep improve team game and roll 4lines. Build on having 4 good lines again, by building up with no short cuts. Thats how Frog soup happens.
Darling was injured. Not sick.