Holtby, Caps Finish Hawks In OT
The Blackhawks came into Friday night’s game against the Capitals with a seven-game win streak on the line. Marian Hossa and Alex Ovechkin made a little Hawks history as well.
Hossa vs Ovechkin tonight is first battle of 500-goal players (involving #Blackhawks) since Bondra vs Sakic (Avalanche) on 3/1/2007
— Christopher Kamka (@ckamka) November 12, 2016
The Blackhawks also came into Friday’s game without Artem Anisimov or Tyler Motte, however. And it showed.
With Marcus Kruger elevated to a second line role, the Hawks struggled to put together consistent pressure on Washington throughout the night. And when they did have good chances, Braden Holtby was on point.
Evgeny Kuznetsov went to the box at 5:38 and gave Chicago the first power play of the evening. Unfortunately, the first goal of the game was scored while the Hawks had the advantage. Jay Beagle scored a short-handed goal to give Washington an early 1-0 lead.
That lead would only last 22 seconds, however, as Brian Campbell would answer quickly.
Beagle came into the game with only one goal on the young season, but scored his second on Friday night at 14:44 into the first period to give the Capitals a lead (again).
That would be the extent of the scoring for the first… and second periods. Through 40 minutes, each team had 21 shots on net.
During the second period there was a brief period of uncertainty for Hawks fans when Corey Crawford disappeared to the dressing room. Scott Darling entered the game for only 78 seconds but was immediately tested a couple times, including on a breakaway opportunity for TJ Oshie. But Crawford game back and finished the game.
In the third, Ryan Hartman was rewarded for a strong performance by getting a few shifts with Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane; he replaced Nick Schmaltz on the top line for a bit.
Unfortunately, a game we hyped as a match-up of elite goaltenders proved to be precisely that – and Washington’s second goal appeared to be all the cushion the visiting Caps needed.
Coach Joel Quenneville pulled Crawford for the extra attacker with 2:11 left in regulation but the Blackhawks weren’t able to get a clean shot on net. Quenneville used his timeout with 47.5 seconds left in regulation after an icing. After another icing, the Hawks were able to control the puck in the offensive zone and Hossa put home a loose puck to tie the game with 22.3 seconds left.
Crawford stopped 24 of 26 (plus Darling’s one save) while Holtby faced 34, stopping 32 in regulation.
With Hossa’s late heroics, the Blackhawks still have not lost a game in regulation since Oct. 21 against the Blue Jackets.
Two minutes into the overtime, Quenneville sent Kane out with Brent Seabrook and Vince Hinostroza. A pass from Kane to Seabrook didn’t connect and the Caps went the other way. Hinostroza was trying to get back but was upended by Oshie, who fell over himself, and Washington converted a 2-on-Crawford to pick up a 3-2 win. Marcus Johansson scored the game-winner.
Without Anisimov, Toews had to do the heavy lifting at the dot. Chicago’s captain won 14 of 22 faceoffs; Kruger won nine of 15 and Dennis Rasmussen won two of eight. Toews and Kane combined for only one shot on goal, though.
Hossa had an assist on Campbell’s goal to give him two points on the night. Michal Kempny led Chicago with three hits and was one of four Hawks with two blocked shots. Jordin Tootoo was the only Chicago skater under ten minutes of ice time. Seabrook led the Hawks with six shots on net.
The Hawks’ final home game before the Circus Trip is Sunday evening against red-hot Montreal.
Good tie. Looks cool to see 8-0-2 in last ten, you do not see that very often.
Cant beat pick/interference on 2nd goal and trip/interference on 3on3 goal. Just goes with the territory on a long win streak.
Blackhawks only team in league to score two or more every game.
Think its good to have a couple off/wired ones before road trip so we are moar focused.
Tough way to lose big point tho. Not much room out there caps shut down 88 and 19 too bad about allowing them that shorthanded goal another bad break. Hartman playing well looked good
I’m going along with Morrison’s take-8-0-2 looks mighty good. Heck of a shot by that Johansson fella , high top shelf at a ridiculous velocity. Unfortunate turn of events for Hinostoza on that play…..what can you do?
Bigger game for me personally on Sunday night vs. Da Habs. I want the win against them real bad…so many Hab fans around these parts and they really have their heads in the clouds. There will be no end to the ribbing if the Habs prevail but I really like our play so far this year and Montreal is overdue for a “L”.
Also…it’s a bit early yet but Sunday nights game could well be the preview of the Stanley Cup Final.
Can’t win them all. We have a fantastic team. Veterans are really pulling their weight as kids find their way in the greatest league in the world.
I know they won’t be changing the result now but can someone explain why Washington (Oshie) was not called for tripping or interference on VH (#48) on the GWG. It was likely accidental but we can’t be certain. The play created a great 2 on 1 scoring play and with only six skaters on the ice it is impossible to imagine neither official saw the play. Most high sticking calls are the result of accidents and same for many tripping calls so intent is not an excuse.
So why no penalty? At least the league should take the officials aside and say, hey guys we expect better. If you can’t do so then we have a spot for you in the AHL.
Great game! I’m still scratching my head as to how there’s no tripping call on oshie.
If you’re not willing to call a penalty than at least whistle the play dead! Never fun to see a game of this caliber decided by poor officiating.
Thought Hino/Hartman and TooT00 (and sometimes Moose) line was Hawks best line most of the nite…
Playoffs Time- Top line guys like Kane/Toews are going to be neutralized (as were Ovi and Kuznetsov) by Top D guys… which means Scoring/winning will come from the 3rd/4th line guys… as Much as I loved Hino/Hartman/TooToo last nite… are they actually going to put the puck in enough when it matters???
Time will tell… and they are progressing… But points just aren’t there yet…
(Motte – helps of course)- but other than Motte- gonna be a struggle from bottom 6 come PO’s.
Good news is- lots’s of Prospects putting up big points in College/CHL… just need them one/two to develop QUICKLY.
Also, our best goes out to Bicks.
Hawks finally out shoot the other team AND win 55% of faceoffs in the same game!! Well, all things considered I am happy with one point out of this game.
Yes, 19 and 88 were pretty much neutralized, but so was the great 8. I thought the Hawks were lucky to get to OT BUT thought they would pull this one out. I think the refs made the right “non-call” at the end. A little tough luck for us, but that’s the way it goes sometimes. Crow was very very good once again.
For the most part, the team is playing well enough to keep taking 12 out of 20 points per 10 games and will make the playoffs. These 18 out of 20 points will go a long way in March.
There is a lot of work to do as we saw last night. The Caps are a quality and well coached team. But progress is being made and I think the Hawks are more than capable of and will put up 100+ points this season.
I liked the energy the Blackhawks had in the game. Great saves by Holtby at times that seemed unreal. Couple of breaks didn’t go Chicago’s way in this one but overall a great game. Liked the way Hinstroza came in when called upon and was spunky out there. Good to at least get one point out of that one.
Go Blackhawks!!!!
I’ll take the point but no call on that trip was not ok. I get it was in no way intentional on oshie’s part, but when it causes a goal because a defender is removed from the play, interference at least needs to be called
Would ve liked to see a penalty called on ot goal too but when i think if it was going other way would i be ok with a penalty i don t think so
Please realize that in the ot, ref will not make penalty calls, unless they are for an extremely dangerous play, or delay of games. Especially in playoffs
Tough loss and a good game! Personally i cant stand seeing Kruger skating w skilled players his offensive game is offensive to my eyes! Holtby is a very good goalie too!
Hawks played the Avalanche a week ago. Iginla has 600….
Quick made some comments after the game saying they’ve been lucky to come away with some wins. Never satisfied
I have no problem with the trip in OT. I have more of a problem with putting Hinostroza on the ice in OT. I get that he can skate and having more space gives him more freedom. But he’s just not good enough to be on the ice there.
Also the hustle can showed or lack thereof on that OT goal is more frustrating than the trip. We know Kane will never win a Selke. But dude, it’s 3 on 3 with an odd man rush and one guy on his ass.
This new phone is killing me with the autocorrect. Apologies
Ya can’t get the breaks all the time and I thought the Hawks came out on the short end of things a couple times last night – mainly the pick/interference that led to Beagle’s second goal and then the unfortunate trip of Hino that led to the GWG. But, Hawks still got 1 point so it ain’t all bad.
I thought that was one of the Hawks best games in terms of having the better of the play over the entire 60+ minutes. As long as the can play like that they should win their fair share of games.
I agree mining man it was a tough loss but I want the W against Montreal as Habs fans are the worst
Wall, good thing were going to add 1 or 2 good FW at deadline.
Mike, I wouldn’t worry about making playoffs, its whether we are the 1 or 2 seed or the 3, 4 or 5 seed. Only yrs we wernt was 11 when we played short handed with 6 ahl players and 12 when we had 6 older vets. Then the young guys came.
Morrison- we had a good/cheap 2 way forward last year (Danault)… and made the mistake of trading him for “missing pieces”… doesn’t always work out…
last I checked – Danault putting up solid #’s on a winning team…
It was another end to end game with great chances for both teams. Excellent goaltending for sure. I thought the Hawks generated more quality scoring chances than we have seen in some time, yet Holtby stood tall all night.
A positive note I took from the game was that the young guys had good efforts overall which was large because Anisimov was out. Development of Hartman in particular these past 2 weeks is impressive. Hino was skating well Friday night and Schmaltz is progressing along with Forsling. Forsling though is getting stripped of pucks regularly, and he still is not used to how fast NHL forecheckers just blanket d men. His passing though is excellent and he seems to be seeing the game really well. Physically he is getting pushed around alot, but he is very young still.
Happy to take the point Friday night against a good team and Anisimov out. Pity Oshie tripping was not called in OT to spring the Caps game winner.
Thankfully Crow was not hurt when he went out briefly. I watched him sit back on his skates for awhile kind of rocking back and forth while the puck and play went down to the other end of the ice.. I was afraid he had tweaked a groin muscle. Darling really stepped up with a couple of huge saves filling in for Crow.
Hope they beat some Habs tonight. Shaw returns and should get a huge ovation from the faithful. UC should be rocking this evening. Good for Danault! Happy to see the kid getting it done.
Lets Go Hawks!
Wall, your right I did not like trade Danault. That’s the only trade I didn’t though, as we need to add to make depth and lines stronger. I would rather we do then not. Theres isint a way to tell before hand, look how good Hands and Vermette did. Other did ok and others not as good as they are. Woulkd be sweet if we add a guy like hands type guy who is good at faceoffs and does good play for another 4th round pick (not a good prospect/unless the ones that didn’t end up as good as people thought kind of thing).
Yea its better mid/long term to keep good young guys, though our gm/scout staff seem to get/keep the better of them every time (most). Other then Danault and I liked him like another Bolly type guy. Always good to have elc caphits during the first couple high caphits yrs, then as the salary cap goes up we keep and add moar good players and those 6.3m caphits looked good for the player our guys are. We have these young guys and a bonus in 42. Be better though with 24 too. Overall I am for what Bowman has done, just didn’t like the Danault trade as well as you.
I enjoyed this game. Great comeback to tie the game at the end and save a point. Morrison I agree about not always being a great idea to trade young talent for veterans going into the playoffs. Sure the veterans make less mistakes but don’t always have the energy at the end of a long season. I hope SB doesn’t go that route again. It’s always a crapshoot. Look at Ladd right now. Some people wanted the Hawks to try to sign him. 1 goal and 2 assists so far.