Kahun, Ward Lead Blackhawks Past Red Wings
You’ve gotta love a mid-February matinee between the Blackhawks and Red Wings at the United Center.
With Cam Ward in net, Chicago came out of the gates firing. The most noticeable line in the first period was the Blackhawks’ second line of Alex DeBrincat, Dylan Strome and Dominik Kahun. It took 11 minutes, but that line got the Hawks on the board first.
Seven minutes later they struck again. This time Strome was the scorer.
With an assist and goal in the first period, Strome now has six multi-point games in his last nine contests.
Detroit finished the period with a flurry of offensive opportunities but Ward was on his game. The shots were 18-16 favoring Chicago after 20 minutes and the Blackhawks held onto a 2-0 lead.
The only goal scored in the second period came from Christoffer Ehn of the Red Wings. Detroit out-shot the Hawks 15-11 in the second and cut the lead in half.
Detroit continued to build momentum early in the third period and had some good chances, but Ward continued to hold on strong. At 7:45 into the third, Kahun scored his second of the game to push the lead to three.
With assists from Strome and DeBrincat on Kahun’s third goal, all three skaters on that line had a three-point afternoon.
And it’s good that Kahun added that third goal because Detroit continued to out-chance the Blackhawks for most of the third period. At 15:30 into the third Gustav Nyquist cut the lead to one again.
But the Patrick Kane hadn’t factored into the scoring yet. And neither had Jonathan Toews.
Kane extended his point streak to 14 games just 57 seconds after the Nyquist goal to push the lead back to two.
Toews picked up the assist on Kane’s goal that came after another couple big stops by Ward.
Soon after the puck was dropped again Detroit called goaltender Jonathan Bernier to the bench for the extra attacker. With the empty net Kane patiently waited for Toews to get to the red line before delivering the puck to the captain, who rifled home his 25th of the season to close the books for the day.
Ward had a huge afternoon, stopping 43 of 45 in the game. If a team could ever say they had a “goalie win” after scoring five times it was the Blackhawks on Sunday.
The Hawks’ second line finished with nine points – three each – to lead the offense. Strome was also credited with four takeaways and won half of his 12 faceoffs in a great game for his line.
With 27 points, Kahun has moved into a tie for fifth in rookie scoring with Montreal's Jesperi Kotkaniemi, the third-overall pick in the 2018 draft. #Blackhawks
— Chris Wescott (@TheChrisWescott) February 10, 2019
Kane and Toews led Chicago with five shots on goal each, and both had a two-point afternoon. Toews also won 17 of 26 faceoffs. Drake Cagguila had another strong, physical game. He was credited with four hits in more than 19 minutes of ice time.
Brandon Saad didn’t factor in the scoring but he had a very good afternoon. He was fast and physical in the first period, finishing with three shots on net and three hits.
Chicago’s penalty kill unit had a good afternoon, handling two short-handed opportunities well.
Kane: 33rd goal with 3.33 left in the 3rd. That is a bunch of 3’s.
Fun to watch-Ward helped them out big time-
love that there are now 2 legit lines and possible three with an addition to help Saad next year.
On to Boston.
Hawks in TX. I saw the same thing. I thought it was a sign from hockey heaven!
Big time fun with 12-17-24 having themselves a pretty good game. Two 21 year olds and a 23 year old rookie. Coming into this season we knew what we had in DeBrincat but we didn’t know what to expect from Kahun and we didn’t even have Strome. Things coming up roses for the Hawks with Kahun and Strome. Hopefully Schmaltz comes back from injury and has a great career – I wish him well, but Strome has been better than we could have expected and probably hasn’t hit his ceiling yet. Good trade by Stan, hopefully ends up being good for both teams.
Kane with a goal and assist is now tied with Kucherov for the points lead with 81. Kucherov plays later today though.
I’m liking Koekkoek and I especially like the way Murphy is playing physical – that is great to see,
Listened on Internet Radio, they were just talking about Kane’s point streak coming to an end along with Toews. Can’t make it up especially with the 3’s. Someone has a good sense of humor.
It would have been even more if it was Toews 33rd assist but for not only his 31st.
For all of the sniping at Stan Bowman, including some of my own, we have to admit that the trades to acquire Strome and Cagguila have been season changers for us. We essentially stole a first line winger from Edmonton and a second line center from Arizona. I don’t know if the plan was to use Cagguila on the first line when we first got him, but kudos to Colliton for trying it and sticking with it. The same with Strome. His all around game is so much better than what we had in Schmaltz. Both guys have been playing great hockey and both had terrific games again today. (Though Cam Ward was the reason we won this one. ). The game in Boston on Tuesday will be another good test for this team.
The first goal was 100% kane’s fault and the second goal was first Kahun/Strome for not playing the puck and DCat for lazily making a half hearted reach.
That flatlander elbowed Murf in the face, beause he wasnt man enough to take a cross check in the back (in front of the net) and slash/cross check back. What a pansy. Murf slammed him down pushed his head to ice and punched that pansy in the face for the elbow.
Is that the same red coat that pulled Saader down and then came off the bench, when he wasnt in the play, and then hit Saader in helmet with skate.
Where I come from. That guy is a Flatlander.
I have been a Blackhawks fan since 1968. I live on Toronto but love the Hawks. Watch most of their games on the Rogers super sports pack. They will make the playoffs this year but of course not go very far. However they are 2 players away from being a huge cup threat next year. Panarin and a real good defenceman. Jokiharu and Boqvist will be playing on the big club full time next year. Panarin and one more real good D and we are right there.
Considering the $ that Panarin might command, it would be better to go after another type of player like Dzingel.
Keep Toews and Kane together and have a talented grinder on the wing. (Have that) And have a cheaper speedster that can score like Dzingel.
Save the money for D-Cat and Strome and ……..
Don’t bet on it Jeff. With today’s win the chances of Hawks making it are still only 12.2%. And giving up 40+ shots a game while relying heavily on a PP humming along at a recent 40% is not sustainable.
That said, the turnaround has been the most fun of anything since 2015. Enjoy the rest of the season.
I wish someone would tell Hayden he is not a stickhandler and to just move the puck quicker. Absolutely love his physical play and think he will be a good 4th line player. No doubt the Hawks win the trade with Strome but Perlinni can go any time. I really think the Hawks will be back on top next year with Stan making a couple good moves.
Kahun’s English is outstanding, all his life in Europe until this season. Great parenting.
Kudos to Bowman re: Kahun, and of course to reiterate drafting Debrincat. His transgressions the last couple years remain as such.
Nice to see Forsling in Kempny Quarters today.
Keep the line moving in Boston next game.
Jeff. I have to apologize on behalf of certain posters. You come on here with a positive attitude and you’re greeted with nothing but negativity. Don’t worry not everyone on here is negative. Some are actual Blackhawk fans that proudly wear the Indian head. Instead of looking at the glass as half full these negative posters prefer to ignore the fact that only a handful of teams this year have gone on 7 game winning streaks!
Earl- exactly what I’ve been saying – but if you are going to play Hayden as much or less than Kunitz which is 6-8 mins a game, sell him off so it’s a win-win, for him ( getting more ice time) and Hawks if SB can upgrade. I still really like Hayden. He and Cagguila, for the most part- are the only ones doing the physical hitting out there! Perlini is a waste of space
Iceman- I lived in Germany for two years. They are required to take 6 years of English in school. Most people in the cities speak fluent English, especially young people. I agree it’s impressive and I was really happy about it. No way I was learning German. Life is too short to memorize 4 cases and 3 genders to speak a language that isn’t exactly known for being sonorous.
About fricking time Kahun starts cashing in like his play has deserved. My eye test and his corsi stats suggest that he’s a 20 goal 45 point producer. First season on north american ice. He can still improve.
Still would be happy to pick up flashier options for a second line and bump 12 17 24 to a third line with serious punch. That’s Cup depth. 3 legit scoring lines.
This win streak is nice and fun but unfortunately unsustainable. Our PDO is north of 105 over the win streak. Got out Corsi’d by 20 to a bad team on home ice. Always nice to win but we need to be much better to be sustainable.
Agree we have picked up some really nice pieces this year. Let’s see if we can pick up some more forwards before the deadline. Definitely still sellers this year.
I do not know the %, but if we have 12% the teams all around are the same 12% and the two teams in the 7 and 8 seed are prob like 16%. Not much higher.
I am not sure if we do, but the 7 and 8 seed have been around 5 over .500 for 45 games. So unless they go up to plus 10, then ok.
If they stay around 5 over .500
there sitting ducks in the pond, old man.
Saad had a great game too which got me thinking about next year hopefully Kubalik fits into the top 9 possibly on a 3rd line with Saad
If Stan scored a win with bringing Kahun into the top 9 and Kubalik is supposedly as good or better it’s not unrealistic to think maybe Kubalik might play on Saad’s opposite wing
Then you need a 3rd line centre – Kurashev? UFA?
I like Kampf for 4th line C
The idea of spending on a UFA D man rather than going for Stone/Panarin/Duchene makes some good sense considering the offence is humming along
However if a UFA D man were added and Joki is back that’s 2 spots that need to be opened up on the back end, three if Boquist makes the jump to the NHL next year
Not routing for anything, but the % for a top 3 pick and making playoffs is prob the same. Theres just that many teams around .500 no matter who really is a .500 team and who just has around a .500 record. I would say were a borderline top 10 team. You cannot count a 0-6-2 stretch when we had half a roster and had those tank ufas in every game. Even counting the 0-8 stretch, were plus 5 right now and thats the team we really are a 6-8 seed. We just had to play with that for the first section of the 82 games.
I donot think these people are negative, its just they know were not top 5 or 10 deep, this, yr and will be soon enough as that guy said were adding a elite FW and a Defensemen at some point regardless of who is already coming. We could be very good for the 20 season. Just not deep at D yet, that yr. Its is coming though.
Didn’t Kahun play a year in the CHL or do I have that wrong?
Wrap, prob with that as Wall asked, there arnt any this summer. Top 4 wise. We could add a really good 3rd pair guy and just be deeper until the Four Horsemen are ready. And they are good.
Just looked it up – Kahun played 2 years for Sudbury Wolves in the OHL (juniors0 which is one of 3 leagues in the CHL
Jake Gardiner, Tyler Myers, Erik Karlssson, Anton Stralman all UFA D men this summer
How about Brock Nelson as UFA for 3C?
We need a list. When people looked at training camp and in the fall, there wasnt many until summers 20 and 21. Mostly FW this summer.
We need to keep in mind the 21 season and on, because thats when were deep again. Even though we are right at top 10 team this fall/training camp.
@Jeff , Welcome. Indeed the Blackhawks have potential. On the Panarin note Detroit is a rumored destination; Wonder if those Datsyuk rumors will be a factor. How about a Datsyuk to Chicago rumor eh?
Nice to see “The big Kuhuna” scoring.
Is it just me or has Kruger been more noticeable in a good way lately? The Blackhawks should at least consider resigning him next year. Have to wonder if they should do it now; or see about that trade list and risk losing him to free agency; what does everyone think?
Don’t look now but Gustafsson is playing better in the d-zone. Granted the bar is pretty low so he can be playing better and still not be good, but he made a couple plays tonight defensively that were impressive and I don’t recall any real bonehead pizza delivery type plays from him tonight. Yes he’s 26 so not a young guy but he’s still a young guy in terms of NHL games played which is only 129.
Oh my mistake. Didn’t know Kahun played major juniors here. Nice catch.
Every credit Hartman had, was gone when he deliberately hit Krugs in the face and pretended like is was a play. They need a guy who knows how to disguise hits and even if they cant prove someone did it on purpose, to bad 20 games for headshots and additional 5 agasint the team you did it to. Want to play like a puss, suspensions every head contact. Same with 14 on that guy.. You do it you out 20 games.
krugs getting back to full strength after cheaphot.
The second line legitimate, great game by them.
Wrap may find a better fit in a trade for a dman. Have an expiring contract next year or year after not be an issue in resigning rfas or road block for young guys. Ufa s probably all want longer term and may not work out.
Prospects Chl
Boqvist 1g 2a
Entwistle 1g
Kane tied Kucherov for points lead with his 2 points today – then Kucherov got 3 points in the TB 5-2 win over Florida.
Jordy, not trying to against you/what your saying. If were the group (5 teams around .500) of teams that are all at 12% then the only teams, per say, that group is going against it DAL and MIN and they are what 16-20%. Not much higher. Right now the 7 and 8 seed are up for grabs between DAL and MIN and the 5 teams that are basically tied. I do not know how they do those %, but thats got to be way off.
DAL- 6
MIN- 3
VAN- 1
COL- 0
CHI- 1
EDM- 2
ARI- 2
DAL is ahead, MIN not really.
Still in the Top 6 pick.
OTT/COL- 8
DET- 7
NWJ- 5
ANA- 5
LA- 4
gap
ARI- 2
EDM- 2
CHI- 1
What do you all predict Stan will most likely do at TDL?
Carlo my thoughts he will do something to help give this team a better shot at the playoffs without moving any significant assets. Perhaps a bottom 6 forward to help on pk and defensive end of it. Plus also add some draft picks or future assets too.
What will Stan do before the TDL? Your guess is as good as mine, but I hope he doesn’t do anything that he wasn’t planing to do in the summer anyway. Such as trade Anisimov – he probably should try to trade Anisimov so if it’s easier to do it now than in the summer – then do it now.
…And the number 1 star of the game, with two goals and one assist, number 24, Hull65’s favorite player, Dominik Kahun!
Ian you’re probably right about acquiring a D man in a trade rather then UFA but I was simply responding to the notion that there were no top 4 D available on the UFA market this summer and there certainly are if the Hawks wanted to go that route
Of the 4 Gardiner is the youngest at 27 but you’re likely looking at $6.5 – 7 x 7 years to get him – I agree don’t know if it’s worth it
I think Stan does nothing at the TDL. Not because he doesn’t want to but rather I don’t think he gets interest from the pieces he wants to move (Kruger, Kunitz, Anisimov…) and I think he won’t get good enough offers on guys he probably wants to keep (Saad, Murphy and Gustafsson) to make it worth it to move them.
Maybe he gets some interest for an RFA like Forsling, but I wouldn’t expect anything bigger than that.
But I hope the market for Anisimov improves because I would love his cap hit to be off the books before free agency. But I am not holding my breath…
Perlini looked really involved versus Vancouver until the late game penalty. Today he had a prime chance coming down the off wing, early in the game, and got stopped. He needs to bury one of these prime chances. From there his confidence would likely soar.
Thought Dahlstrom was very very good. He should play against Boston on Tuesday. I’m also a fan of Stater K. He seems to have good instincts in both zones. He does not play with the hesitancy other young defenseman often do.
With Strome, Caggiula and Slater K. , Stan Bowman might have hit the trade trifecta and won all three handily. That’s a good sign heading toward the trade deadline. I would not be surprised if Stan stands pat and let’s this team go as far as it can go. Their seems to be lots of chemistry among the group. We shall see if he gets an offer he can’t refuse.
Yeah Wrap that’s the problem with UFA top 4 Dmen. Too expensive, too long, too old and the pipeline is hopefully going to solve our issues back there in a year or two. I see the reasoning but I’d pass.
I hope Bowman keeps replenishing the forwards. We have like 5 young third pair D and some pending UFAs as chips for more picks and prospects, or more guys who need a fresh start like Strome.
Another interesting option this offseason is signing RFAs from a forward heavy team in cap hell. If memory serves I think ER mentioned that as a possibility with Toronto for example. Might be a shrewd move.
Wrap, I hope they don’t go top tier in free agency – forwards or d-man. The top forwards will cost too much and won’t address the main need which is improved defense. The top tier d-men are either in their 30’s or are offensive d-men which is not the type of d-man we need. Gardner will not improve goals against.
You prob right, I can see what Ian said. Might add for someone were not keeping or have to many of. At the same time trade with good return and have similar here so its about same. You guys are right, theres no point in trading away just to trade. Late round picks do not mean shit and you cant do that to the guys here now that are ‘playing’.
Wrap, bunch of guys here said there wasnt, much, for D ufas this summer. I knew there were some. We do need about one good FW and D, then see where were at. That gets us really good/close. Theres going to be some buzz at training camp in the fall with how much upside our roster has and having a good time this season coming together/like we did.
Not saying at deadline, I got a feeling Bowman is going to keep pulling rabbits out like he has with some of these trades as we go along. At some point we can add a really good FW or D and we know who we have coming already. Even though not top 6 pick, a 7-16 isint terrible (45th compared to 32-35 is)/and maybe trade up a little.
I like what Caggiula brings to the Toews-Kane line which is aggressive puck hunting and the speed and attitude to do that job. But, he isn’t a 1st line player in terms of offensive skill and scoring – at least he hasn’t shown that yet. So, ideally the Hawks can find a Caggiula-type player with more offensive skill. Is Saad that guy? He certainly has the speed and more offensive skill than Caggiula, but he falls a little short in the rat-type attitude that Caggiula has. I can’t think of anyone of the roster that fits the bill. Can you?
With the way Ward and Delia playing, plus possibilty of Crawford goaltending is set for this year. With the Strome line finding their stride and Cagguila looking good on top line, coupled with ability to slide Saad in there if needed, top 6 should be set. A forward to bolster bottom 6 and pk would help.
Defence can see Jokiharju coming back up to add a little to the picture there and go with that.
With Toews and Kane having career years and elevating everybody around them. If the powers that be are confident in this teams ability to make playoffs and make some noise when they get there. Say they feel adding a defenceman for next year only, through trade anyways is a priority next summer, if the ability to get someone at the tdl who they want and are comfortable with the deal. Would they pull the trigger now and have him for 2 playoffs instead of just one. Just a thought not a likely scenario but never know i guess.
If Panarin signs elsewhere, which he might because of his recent history with Bowman, I agree that Dzingel is a good option on left wing. I would like to see Bowman not trade for another 4th line player to kill the PK, but to try and lure a forward prospect from teams like the Jets, Tampa or Washington. This is why Forlsing and AA can set up a trade for the future especially at the forward position.
Kane MVP
Dare I say, trade 15 & 21 for a cost controlled, solid 3rd line center. Hope the combo of Kubalek, Fortin, fill in the name, round out the 3rd line with Saad. If lines 1&2 keep this up, that 3rd line could open up some opportunity. Saad has been a difference maker lately, give him 2 mates to play with and we have something.
ER, think Saader is too good for 1st line. To do what your saying, be like 91 but score and pass some. Saader would mess the flow up. It would have to be a guy just like 91 that just scores more/good shot. I have no idea who that is.
For adding a Defensemen, we could do it that way. Bottom line is we can add a defensemen. Theres no rule we cant because we have like 11 of them.
When we look at 23man in 2yrs from now, there should be several guys different, only because their better players/and maybe a little caphit stuff in there.
So, not to mess us chemistry or flow we have with whos playing now, if its a player that make the team better mid and long term, then add them at deadline.
I like the ideas of hoarking a player from a top team, like SAN weaseled a good player from us. So we deserve to get a good player like that back.
ER, we need a Kopy kind of player. 91 is pretty close, I know what your saying.
ER- I love Cagg’s Puck hunting too…
Brandon Hagel !!! Is a LW w/ Supposed “energizer bunny” status and tenacious fore-checker… I don’t know enough to claim that he is better finisher then Caggs…
But it seems like he is in same mold as – Shaw!!!
Cincod1– could Kurashev be that 3rd line Center??? I am really high on Kurashev… Danault-type of player… I watched Danault for a few years In Rockford… kid was way better than all during those couple seasons… I think Kurashev is very similar…
always seems to make something happen – every shift
I agree with those who say pass on Panarin. The cost is too high and we have 2 offense only snipers already. A third $10mm player is just too much to work around. Would rather spend $10mm on a couple of steady $5mm players.
Wall there is alot of speculation Kurashev may play in the Swiss top league next season to help get his game more Nhl ready, rather than play in Rockford.
I think that hawks should go after Nyquist…. Very good player, cheaper than some others
Kurashev has Danault qualities. Tenacious with good offensive instincts and a deceptive shot. He could eventually surprise as a 3rd line center. Ahead of Jack Wise! People forget Danault produced as a junior with a 100 point season in the Q. And I am not sure Fortin will ever make it back to NHL, great skater but no offence.
Kahun, in my opinion, is still a 3rd line player that plays smart. I think his skating is a average but he works very hard and has good instincts. Coaches like him.
I like Nyquist as well. Lots of skill! Could defintely help if Panarin signs elsewhere and Dzingel is not available. Hawks will eventually still need an upgrade from Cagg and Kahun but for now, this is what they have. Let’s not forget who we had slotted in those spots, Hossa and Sharp!
12 and 17 are in 10 and 81 spots.
Think of 24 like Steeger 3rd line on Cup deep roster.