Hossa Leads Blackhawks Past Flyers
A whole bunch of Blackhawks were still looking for their first goal of the new season entering the team’s fourth game of the season.
Four of them erased the zero from their stat page on Tuesday night.
Patrick Kane got the party started 56 seconds into the game with a wraparound goal.
The Hawks would successfully kill a penalty in the first period to preserve the one-goal lead, and then Dennis Rasmussen took advantage of a flopping Flyer to score his first of the season.
Ivan Provorov was the victim and Michal Neuvirth allowed the backhand to beat him to extend the lead.
Shayne Gostisbehere went to the box 33 seconds later, and it was Artemi Panarin’s turn to get off the schnide.
Brent Seabrook set up the one-timer and Panarin finished to push Chicago to a three-goal lead.
Boyd Gordon took a turn in the penalty box 3:07 into the second and Hossa made magic as the advantage was coming to a close.
Hossa became the 44th player in NHL history to score 500 goals; it was the 161st in the Indian head for the future Hall of Famer.
Kudos to the Flyers for staying off the ice as the United Center faithful recognized a truly special moment in the history of the franchise.
Neuvirth’s night was over after Hossa’s goal. He allowed four goals against 16 shots in 25:04 and was replaced by Steve Mason.
Unfortunately, Kane went to the box later in the period and Matt Read scored a power play goal to cut the Hawks’ lead to 4-1. The goal was the first power play marker of the season for Philadelphia.
That’s where the second period would end.
Artem Anisimov and Seabrook had two assists each through 40 minutes, but Anisimov’s struggles at the dot continued. He won only three of 10 faceoffs in the first two periods. Meanwhile, Kane led the Hawks with five shots in the opening two frames.
Unfortunately, the third period brought way more drama than Hawks fans wanted.
Read scored again 37 seconds into the third to cut the lead to 4-2. Sean Couturier scored 77 seconds later to make it 4-3. And then Wayne Simmonds scored the Flyers’ second power play goal of the night (and season) to tie the game at 3:49.
To make matters worse, Hossa blocked a shot and went straight to the room. He did not return the rest of the way.
Thankfully, the Blackhawks didn’t roll over.
Anisimov joined the first goal of the season party and scored his first of the year – the eventual game-winner – at 10:24 off a pass from Kane.
Panarin and Anisimov would both score their second goals of the game and season later in the third to put the game away. Anisimov’s second was into an empty net with 45 seconds remaining in regulation.
Anisimov finished with four points (two goals, two assists) in 18:33. Kane (one goal, three assists) also had a four-point night, while Seabrook (three assists) and Panarin (one goal, two assists) had three-point efforts.
Richard Panik and Michal Kempny led Chicago with three hits each, while Keith added a team-leading two blocked shots to one assist in the victory.
Corey Crawford stopped 23 of 27 for his first win the season.
What to make of this? Well we won and scored a lot of goals .. 4 Point night’s, 3 Point nights, 500th goal, all very terrific … and now the but, ..what the heck was that meltdown all about.. very disconcerting to say the least. Anxious to see the comments from everyone.
Going up 4-0 s good.
Giving up 4 unanswered goals is bad.
Getting 2 PP goals is good.
Giving up 2 PK goals is bad.
PAK line is good.
Unable to sustain puck possession in o-zone is bad.
Winning the game is good.
And so it goes – some good, some bad.
I think Rasmussen has earned more time in the lineup. When Hartman is ready to return I would sit Hinostroza.
Hinostroza is not an NHL player. He does some NHL things, but not enough to warrant being an everyday player. I actually like Schmaltz and Hossa. They look like they’re on the same page. Hinostroza just looks like a mosquito when paired with the two of them. Kruger taking d zone draws for Anisimov in game 4 of the regular season is worrisome.
Not sure on the numbers, were 4or5 to 7 on PP. What about that 5on5 thing, 11-4 now.
Congrats Hossa on the 500th goal but these celebrations always kill momentum and sure enough the letdown happens. The good news is they bounced back and won the game and 500 goal celebrations don’t happen often. PAK line firing on all cylinders with the exception of Anisimov’s FO % ouch. I wish Toews had gotten a few points as he will be criticized for not scoring, despite 65% FO and seems to provide great screens on a lot of the goals
Pretty obvious 88/15/72 should not be split up. Schmaltz will turn out to be the best rookie forward in the long run. Congrats to Hossa, great career. He is a class act.
It was kind of a weird game at the UC last night. Most of the city seemed to be involved with the Cubs game so traffic was somewhat lighter driving in. Hawks of course blow up the Flyers in the 1st and it looked like maybe we could collectively relax and enjoy the fun. So Hoss pots his 500th and the party is on. I think they should have let the fans give Hossa an even longer ovation. It was really building when they just cut it off. Good for Hossa. What a fantastic player he has been for this team. Yes, the Hawks came into the 3rd period WAY to relaxed and got jumped by a revived bunch of Flyers.
I had mentioned to the friend that went to the game with me that a Hawks PP towards the end of the 2nd just fizzled badly, and that possible 5th goal would have been the final nail in the Flyers coffin. Didn’t happen and the next goal went to the Flyers with just over a minute left in the 2nd. Big mo had turned.
Well thankfully the 88-15-72 line wasn’t done and they turned the gas back on down the stretch, but blowing a 4 goal lead is NOT acceptable. Is it established yet again that those 3 should play together??
I basically missed the 5th and 6th goals because some tourist clown 2 rows down decided to selfishly stand up and watch, blocking at least 4 people from seeing the goals. Those guys just don’t get it. They give you this “so what’s the problem?” look when you tell them to sit down.
For all of the good things they are doing, Kempny and Forsling are still adapting to brisk pace of NHL hockey with some hiccups. Schmaltz, Motte are learning quickly, Hino not so much, but boy can Hino fly. Rasmussen is a better player this year from what I have seen.
It’s going to take time for this team to settle down and players to adjust to linemate tendencies. I would like to see Forsling play with a more defensive oriented d man. Both he and Campbell are similar players in my eyes as offensive defensemen.
We needed the points, but not the stress. At least the Blues choked down the stretch last night. I must say it felt strange to root for the Nucks.
New look Leafs in this weekend. Looking forward to it.
Lets Go Hawks!
I agree with the above comments that Hinostroza is an NHL player. He was very Bickell like. Running around, not sure who to cover defensively, not sure what to do with the puck when he had it. He’s like a worker that just pushes a broom to look busy, I also think that we really need to work on blocking shots and getting sticks in the shooting lanes. Still giving up way to many SOG’s……
Amazing how good the PAK line looked versus a team of Soft D-men… and how they were not a factor versus 2 of the top Teams in league!!!
PAK- entertaining to say the least… BUT- just like last year/Versus Blues- I think Q will be forced to “Mix” it up- Cuz Elite teams can shut down Elite lines-IMO
I Wouldn’t Call the Goals against Crow “softies”… BUT- Crow is NOT on his game yet!!! Please watch the slow-mo/DVR version of 2nd and 4th goals… (one of Crow’s biggest strengths-imo, is not panicking when the puck and play are in tight… he usually makes like a Wall- gets big, and minimizes movements, knowing the shooter is in tight and has little space or angle… If you slow-mo those goals- especially the 2nd- Crow has both size and post (giving up about a 10 inch square above his right shoulder when Giroux goes below goal line… puck comes out to Crow’s right… and for some strange reason- Crow, moves to his left, leaves the post and gets smaller- now giving up 3-4 times the area above his right shoulder…
Very UNCROW like- if he just stayed still… that Puck Does NOT go in!!! similar thing on 4th goal…. Almost like Crow- is trying to hard/losing his nerve… or trying to be too Athletic… when he should just rely on great positioning- that he established…
Once again- those weren’t cheap/soft goals… but I honestly think at least one- if not both are easily prevented- if he doesn’t move from- initial solid position… and forces the shooter to make perfect shot from in tight with little angle.
Schmaltz did look good with Hoss… he needs to play with wings who can win board battles- cuz he can’t right now… Hino isn’t that player.
Thought the 4th line was effective in Cycle… and TooToo continues to look worthy…
Still no complete 1st line — Toews- tried to will his way individually a few times…
I honestly would like to see
when Dez returns– Dez/16/TooToo
72/Moose/88 – Moose better at dot, and goes to net/ has looked good with 88 in small sample in the past
and AA on 1st LW at some point… can’t win Draws, and can help 1st line cycle game…
Panarin and Kempny- made some Horrible passes/giveaways
Moose could never keep up with 72 and 88. You might as well bring back Handzus.
1961- agreed- Moose- way slower than AA
But- Fact -AA put up 22 assists last year… which is Shockingly low number when you consider… the 2 wings he played with- scored over 70 Goals!!! That might suggest C had more of Net presence than “creating” presence…imo
I think 72-15-88 stays together moving forward. Simply too good, and I haven’t seen enough that indicated Panarin and/or Anisimov is as good/better on another line. There’s chemistry there. To cite Crash Davis, “Don’t f*** with a winning streak.”
That being said, I think Rasmussen has done enough to stay in the lineup. He has value on the awful PK and can get himself in front of the net. So the question becomes where?
Rasmussen at center moves both Schmaltz and Hinostroza to a wing full-time, which is ideal. Hartman returning (hopefully Friday) present another question, to which the answer should clearly and loudly be SIT JORDIN TOOTOO. I’d like to see Schmaltz-Kruger-Motte and Hinostroza-Rasmussen-Hartman as the bottom six. Lots of kids? Sure. But I like what I’ve seen from most of them thru 4 games.
Tab- I actually like TooToo last 2 games…
and Don’t like Schmaltz playing w/ rooks/or “lower end guys”- he needs to play with at least one STUD- 88,19, or 81- who can create plays off the boards- and finish… Schmaltz ain’t winning Board battles -yet
Ernie- I agree 8 with 81 looked good… liked Motte/8/81 line from 2 games ago.
Re – WALL , Kempny was coughing up the puck and on the ice for 2 of Phillys come back goals , Crow stood on his head to keep 1 of Kempny s throwing it up the middle passes out of the net . Team seems to be jellaxing ,gotta get 19 going ,.,man the guy can,t buy a goal . I am a TooToo fan ,but when we got him i kinda figured he would play 50 -65 games ,leaving wiggle room for who,s hot and who,s not . The rookies are ALL playing hard ,good crop boys ! Hoss being Hoss never gets old eh .
Hartman returning might fit good with 8 and 81 as 64 and 14 seem to be ok with toews and when desijardins gets healthy should be able to a good combo with krueger, faceoffs a concern i’m sure the coaching staff will have a remedy thatcould work
Tab not so sure about moving rasmussen to centre as he is delivering in a left wing checking role to change his role and responsibilities may not bexa positive. I still feel at some point schmaltz will end up on wing with toews and panik and krueger hossa and motte be the 3rd line with hartman and rasmussen the 4th line wingers and desjardins at centre or call somebody up or trade for help there and that will limit the faceoff woes somewhat.