Crawford Dominant, Blackhawks Drop Jackets In Regulation
The Hawks headed to Columbus on Saturday night and coach Joel Quenneville made a few lineup adjustments.
Corey Crawford started his second straight game, Andreas Martinsen took the spot of John Hayden up front and Brandon Davidson dressed for the first time this season.
In the first period, Alex DeBrincat stayed hot. He scored his seventh goal of the season at 3:48 into the game to give the Hawks a 1-0 lead.
Zach Werenski scored eight minutes later to tie the game at one, and that’s where the scoring would remain until nearly eight minutes into the third period.
Chicago played far too much of the opening 40 minutes short-handed. Rookie defenseman Henri Jokiharju took a penalty in the the first and second period, Martinsen went to the box in the first and David Kampf sat in the second. Chicago successfully killed all four penalties in the opening two periods, but the short-handed ice time limited the number of shifts Patrick Kane could be on the ice. He was held under 11 minutes on the ice in the first two periods.
At 7:43 into the third, Alexandre Fortin put a shot on net that deflected off Marcus Kruger and into the net to give the Hawks a 2-1 lead.
Fortin wound up with an assist on the play, his first career NHL point.
Eight minutes after the Kruger goal Kane put home his sixth of the season to extend the Blackhawks’ lead to 3-1.
Patrick Kane to Brent Seabrook to Patrick Kane. Bullseye for No. 88.
3-1 #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/SFbqq7LOGF
— Cristiano Simonetta (@CMS_74_) October 21, 2018
The goals were a welcome sight for Crawford, who looked like the player who was considered by many to be a Vezina candidate last year before concussions ended his season before Christmas.
Kane added an empty net goal with 97 seconds remaining in regulation to give him seven goals on the season, matching DeBrincat’s total.
Brent Seabrook picked up two assists in the game. Dominik Kahun, Artem Anisimov and Nick Schmaltz were also credited with helpers on the Hawks’ four goals.
Kane led Chicago with four shots on net.
But the story of the night is the return to dominance of Crawford, who was exceptional. He stopped 37 of 38 shots, slamming the door on Columbus as his offense found a way to win a game in regulation for the first time in the 2018-19 season.
Crow looked good. I thought Davidson looked pretty good out there having seen most of the game. Look forward to the game tomorrow night; GO BLACKHAWKS!!!!
Crawford is arguably the best goalie in the league. His resume, credentials and importance to his team speak volumes.
Seabrook outstanding game.
Davidson Norris Trophy consideration for being competent.
Martinsen less than 6 minutes, waste of a forward dressing.
4 of 7 games against top 5/10 teams.
Only game we didn’t play good was the 2 in 12 days game, against a bottom 5/10.
No matter what happens in the next game, I am giving the team a hall pass for going 3-0-1 against top teams with a fucked up sch.
Can play with any team, on a normal sch.
The beauty is, who gives a shit.
Its a transition yr.
All Hail Corey! Outstanding! He is a difference maker. Goalie win for the Hawks tonight.
Happy to see Fortin get his first NHL point tonight. I’d like to see Fortin on the PK because I think his quickness would work well.
Total goalie win. I’m amazed that Crawford is this sharp after such a long layoff.
How does Hayden sit ? Baffling.
Last game was a goalie win to.
Evens that out.
2 in 12 days however.
Those announcers said it was the best game they’ve played.
Fortin on PK is not a bad idea. We collapse too much on PK and are perpetually on our heels. A more aggressive approach based on speed and more pressure on the points is worth a go. Nothing to lose.
With CC between pipes, defenders are confident that he will take care of anything that gets to the net. They don’t have to look over their shoulders. Too much activity around crease though.
It took Gus until about 8 minute mark to give up an odd man rush, so he’s definitely trending up.
A theory: maybe Saad was never as good as we perceived him to be. He was with Hossa and Towes in their primes, on championship teams. He didn’t need to do as much; more a supplement than a main cog. And now, on a weaker team, perhaps hes exposed. Maybe not the stud we thought he was?
Davidson more
Manning less
Schmaltz – more Wing
less Center
Kunitz- why?
I would rather see Noel or Knott- in grinder/checker role – more speed and more of future- or at least get rid of martinsen and give a kid playing time/learning time with Kunitz- Kunitz knows how to play… just too old these days- to be a difference maker
Q is like a lot of coaches – a veteran like Martinsen doesn’t lose his job due to an injury – he gets his old job back
But now that he’s had that chance I’ll think we’ll see Hayden in for him
Davidson was pretty good, Saad had a better game (seemed to take Q’s message to heart) – Hawks didn’t skate enough until they got the lead then they looked like a different team – a confident one
That’s what CC can do for a team
Goalie win for sure!
Highmore or Sikura eventually (maybe both) will be up before long I think – hopefully sending Kunitz at least to 4th line maybe the press box
Wow. Minnesota came back and beat Tampa tonight. Hawks need to jump all over them tomorrow in the first period.
Boston supposedly looking for forwards on the trade market. Hmmm Saad to the East Coast ? I’m dreaming I know but hey the Mega Million prize had a lot of people dreaming of stupid stuff.
Btw, no Highmore for Rockford tonight in Tucson. Called up perhaps ?
banged up.
@Mr. Kimball
fair chance there is definitely something to that about Saad; I’ve said the same thing. We’re talking about Hossa here. One of the most underrated players……and he’s still readily talked about for the hall of fame. He should have been in the top 100 over Toews and Keith IMO. Course that’s just naming players locally names to the top 100. Another player overlooked is Malkin for what it’s worth. That said Saad put up decent numbers in columbus.
Yeah Craig they gave Highmore night off because he got banged around alot Friday night.
Wall liked Schmaltz ‘s gane last night too, hut gotta laugh he is 18 and 18 in 50% in last 4 games on fo and 3 and 2 last night in 4 on 4 and a couple of outside blueline ones. AA moves up and takes draws he normally takes and goes 3 and 10 and nobody cares, go figure. When he made the takeaway at center and then cleared the slot as Eddie O mentioned for Kane and Seabrook tic tac toe he was actually playing a center role on that play.
Any questions about Crawford put to rest, elite form like he was last season before ge got hurt. Easy to see what he means to the team. Tough couple if upcoming games Bolts then Ducks Tues.
I’ve said in the past that “if” CC comes back he will not be the CC of old.
I was wrong & stand corrected.
I’m happy for him that he appears to have recovered & hopes he continues to prosper.
Crow looked great, he looked like the Crow that we all know and love. He is playing on pure adrenaline and we all know the schedule is not in the Hawks favor. As the coming weeks get close and he plays more, he is probably going to tire a bit because he is just not in game shape for a long haul. Let’s HOPE that Ward can fine some consistency in his game and give Crow a breather.
I thought our D-men looked okay, but our young forwards get confused in our D-zone coverage once the opposing team sets up. This is ALL a work in progress.
Let’s shoot for 2 in a row, tonight!! GO HAWKS!!
The coverage. Aye yay yay the coverage. Not just the D but the backchecking forwards as well. Yikes.
When our D joins the rush, it causes chaos for the opposition. Gus does that well. Seabrook did it a couple times too, and we got scoring chances out of it (and a goal). Hey, if the D can’t cover, might as well use them to attack.
Hoping for much better tonight. That was pretty ugly. Thanks Crow and welcome back!
Thanks Crow and welcome back!
Crawford was terrific. Ten months off and he looks this good. After the flukey second goal, the Hawks looked pretty good. Even in their own end.
Ian, I said the same shit when people start complaining about 15 last two trs, then again about 8 this yr. Its the fricken line there on. 2nd line goes against other teams top center at faceoffs. The checking line.
That’s why 15 had better numbers on 3rd line, 8 centers 3rd line same will happen. Same for both on 2nd.
The defence at start of next season could look alot different, if Keith and Jokiharju stay together does Boqvist if he adjusts to left point this year, move in Gus spot with Seabrook. If that is top 4 out of camp, do Gus and Murphy make 3rd pair or does Mitchell and/or Beaudin crack the lineup. Any of those 4 will likely play regular minutes somewhere for sure. Gus and Murphy be moved if not in lineup and Mitchell and Beaudin be groomed more in AHL or minors if not going to see regular minutes. Manning under contract so be a press box candidate and Davidson and Rutta may be one and done deals this year. Few possibiluties in Rockford could factor in too. Depth on rightside if Rutta and Murphy both go could be a concern unless some of the left shot guys grooming in Rockford can make them feel comfortable with them or cheaper depth acquired.
Thanks Crow and welcome back!
You can say that again.
Lets hold on to 22 until the Four Horsemen are ready. Then he could be the 6/7 guy then.
The players that wont be on the 23man in a yr/and a half when were deep again will sort itself out on its own.
Ok Mo fair enough, you think he makes a trade to bolster defense or bottom 6. Saad be strong candidate, AA if it was right deal but not likely in a rush to move him right now, Kruger maybe, any others outside top 6 except Kunitz nmc. Gus and Forsling most likely defense options to move now to bring return, bottom 3 not bring alot. Forsberg with Ward nmc be the goalie if one moved. Anybody in Rockford likely except maybe Sikura, who will be back up at some point. I think there is good chance of some movement in the next month.
On our third goal, Kane didn’t look like he was expecting to get it back from Seabrook but he made the adjustment and got his stick down in time. Usually it’s Kane surprising guys, not the other way around. Great pass by (the way too often maligned) Seabrook. So what if he’s slowed down some — find me a guy his size who hasn’t after 1000+ games. He’s still a solid top 4 defender.
Wow. Stan Bowman tells The Athletic that it’s still too soon to judge the Panerin trade and that Saad has played two poor games by his count this season.
The good news is Bowman later goes on to say he “loves” the way Panerin plays.
He also said he’s had a lot of conversations about trade possibilities and things are percolating.
Yea, I not sure. I ok with trade or wait to do it.
Were doing to it at some point no matter what to get roster loaded, which well add prob 2, now, elite or really good players for free ufa/maybe trade instead. Id rather get for free and trade and add assets then trade assets for same thing-when you can/available.
I good with do it now and get more back at deadline. Add highend ufa summer.
Thing is, none of those, players teams couldn’t keep or had extra, after training camp were available, tat we wanted. So much for that Stalman guy.
Which means, like you said, trade during games 15-40. If any before next summer.
Even if were playing good the whole 60 games, at deadline, well kind of know of were looking at a top10 pick or around 19-22. Where we could trade up to 8-12 area and get just as good of player. So not sure on that until then, no one knows that now.
Were still going to do it though. I like that.
No need for a faceoff player, until were deep/loaded. Then you add your 11/26/80/next guy.
Its like cutting trees to sculpt your land before raising barn.
You can always cut that tree down later, you cant put it back.
Craig was there any mention of what he would be looking to acquire in a trade, position, rebtals. My guess is bottom 6 mostly with Murphy and maybe Forsling who help on blueline, unless he goes high end.
Not sure highend/trade up with a good player and add.
What do we need the most and what do we have extra of/or someone/two to take that/those spots.
Agreed on Davidson…looked real good to me. Rutta should change his name to “Giveaway.”
The most encouraging thing for me was that, for the first time in a long time we quit trying to copycat playing “fast at all cost” and went back to what WE do well: patience and puck control. 2nd period both withstanding, there were times when we settled down and controlled the puck…much better for my blood pressure.
Craig – I’m guessing the comment from SB regarding trade possibilities is just a stock response. At this point the only trades that should be of interest are those involving young talent (who rarely get traded). It’s not like we are a veteran or two away from making a serious cup run. Will be very interesting to see how the Nylander situation gets resolved.
Re: Saad – Stan like the rest of us is hoping Saad regains his form
If he does (not saying he will) and Panarin walks from CLB for $10M or so (and that was a scenario SB saw coming) then the Hawks have Saad for 2 more years and CLB has nothing but cap space
Hall pass.
Sch. makers and refs of that 2nd period.
The red wing isint there anymore.
Its like how they used to let the red wings get away with interference the whole game.