Third Line Leads, Blackhawks Escape Red Wings
The Blackhawks got off to a great start on Tuesday night, and then slammed their game into neutral and let the Red Wings make things interesting.
Chicago came out flying against Detroit and knocked the Red Wings back on their heels. Brian Campbell scored on the Hawks’ second power play of the night 10:04 into the game.
Richard Panik expanded the lead to 2-0 only 26 seconds later.
The Hawks dominated every part of the first period. Chicago had three power plays, scoring on one advantage, and out-shot Detroit 17-6 in the opening 20 minutes of action. Corey Crawford looked good and the Wings couldn’t get out of their own way.
Then the second period started.
It was painfully clear that the Blackhawks had taken their foot off the gas when the second period started. Detroit immediately put the puck into their offensive zone and kept it there until Andreas Athanasiou scored his eighth of the season 97 seconds into the period.
At 9:09, Tomas Tatar scored his ninth of the season to tie the game and Detroit was dominating the Hawks to the extent that Chicago had controlled the play in the first.
Chicago’s third line got the Hawks back into the game late in the second when Tanner Kero put home a loose puck in front of the net for his first of the season.
Unfortunately the dreaded goal-in-the-final-minute-of-a-period showed up when Luke Glendening tied the game at three with 19 seconds left in the middle period.
The second was a hideous period for the Hawks, who allowed 20 shots on Crawford while firing 11 at Petr Mrazek.
Chicago put a better push on in the third period, out-shooting Detroit 15-9 including two power plays. But neither team was able to break through the tie and the game headed to overtime. The Blackhawks put 42 shots on net in regulation but weren’t able to beat a struggling Red Wings team.
Thankfully, Justin Abdelkader is still an idiot and the Blackhawks were able to take advantage.
Abdelkader was whistled for boarding Niklas Hjalmarsson with 16 seconds left in regulation, and the Blackhawks made the Wings pay quickly in overtime. Duncan Keith finished the job 38 seconds into free hockey.
The Blackhawks’ 43rd shot on net finally finished a game that looked to be completely under control early. Crawford made 33 saves in the win.
Chicago’s third line of Panik, Kero and Ryan Hartman stayed hot. Hartman finished with two assists in the game, while Panik scored his tenth of the season with an assist, three hits and two takeaways. Kero won half of his 16 faceoffs while being credited with one blocked shot, two hits, one takeaway and four shots on goal with his first marker of the campaign.
Keith had a two-point night (one goal, one assist) while blocking two shots with one takeaway. Hjalmarsson blocked a team-high three shots, while Andrew Desjardins and Panik registered a team-leading three hits. Desjardins skated only seven shifts (6:12) and Jordin Tootoo was on the ice for only 5:55 in the game.
GET OFF MY PLANE.
Isn’t that supposed to be Get off my lawn.
But seriously …
1st and 2nd periods looked like the teams switched uniforms. Both teams had their chances although I think the Hawks had a slight advantage is prime scoring chances. The Hawks also had a decided advantage in PPs, although the refs called it pretty fair and square.
Take the 2 points and move on.
Ebony I think he is referring to Harrison Ford in “Air Force One”
Good write-up Tab. Watching the 2nd period was simply painful. They had that game locked up had the effort been there, but the Hawks just sat on it. That Wings goal in the last 20 seconds said it all. No excuse for that to happen.
Wings played piss poor defense and had to take a gazillion hooking penalties because they stopped skating. The icing on the cake was the Abdelkader dumb ass move to board Hammer with a few seconds left in the 3rd behind the Hawks goal line and the play way up the ice. Talk about a gift into OT. You just knew the Hawks would score and win yet another game decided by 1 goal.
I won’t say it often, but the Cpt. had a very tough night on the ice. He looked and acted frustrated. Understandable given his numbers, but last night it just wasn’t happening for Toews. His comments though about the AllStar game though were classy. He was picked for his reputation, not his play through the first half of the season. The team needs Toews to get out of this drought in a bad way. To be winning without Toews and Kane lighting the lamp is impressive.
Hartman, Kero, Panik did really well for the little ice time they received. Maybe the amount of power plays the Hawks received had something to do with short ice time, but those guys made a very positive showing when they were out there.
UC thankfully turned off the strange on ice skating sounds through the PA after the 1st period. Hopefully that experiment is over.
Some big tests coming up with Caps away and then back home against the Wild Sunday which should be a great game. These 2 games will be good mid season test to measure this team.
Lets Go Hawks!
Panik is getting under the skin of many opponents, with his mocking smile after finishing checks. Kero does OK, more than held his own. (Could you imagine that line with Shaw–three shit disturbers that can all play?)
Too many turnovers, and I almost threw something through the TV with 19 seconds left in the second. The Wings are in trouble, but they can skate with anyone.
One of my favourite players is Seabrook, but as others get quicker, his food speed, or lack of it, is more and more noticeable. The Hawks need him healthy and focused to win this year.
Hino works his ass off, and Anisimov continues to play a great 200 ft. game. Panarin and Kaner a joy to watch. Kane is that quarterback with great vision, who always looks for 72, and then gives it to someone else if covered.
Not sure about the comment about Kane not lighting the lamp…he is third in scoring after all. The hoed line looked great. Hopefully this is the real hartman because he looks like a difference maker. He is on a great streak. I would be curious to see him on the top line again but he has been driving the third line really well.
I can’t remember who said it on her but when Panik plays physical is when he has a good game. I don’t think it is a coincidence that has play over the last few games has improved since he has looked more physical.
I thought Hino looked good on the top line but Toews and Hossa don’t seem to be fully clicking with him. When they do, I think that line will have some potential.
Ah – “Get off my plane” from Air Force One – got it.
I doubt the Hawks can win the Cup if Toews doesn’t get back to playing like we know he can play, and yes there have been some positive signs lately but he’s still not making the plays he normally makes on a consistent basis.
That said, I’m liking the maturation of the “depth players”. Hartman and Panik both now have 10 goals and are playing fast and physical. Kero is doing an adequate job centering for them and that line has been making a positive contribution pretty consistently. Rasmussen and Desjardins are steady and contribute on the PK so they are valuable.
There’s half a season left … so who knows, but I’m getting a positive feeling.
As per Nicks post, my comment about Kane and Toews not scoring goals at the pace they should be expected stands. Kane is having a good year point wise, and to his credit is finding team mates for quality scoring chances. What is happening different than last year is teams are allocating 1-3 players to follow Kane around and deny him scoring chances from the middle of the ice. Other teams are making it much tougher on Kaner to score as a result. He remains a dangerous offensive threat whenever he has the puck in space and the goals will come.
There is no doubt that Panik is a better player when he engages a more physical game. The Hawks need Panik to bring that type of presence every single game. Lets hope he can do it as the team benefits via forced giveaways that are the end result.
I was watching Seabrook last night and he certainly looked engaged via communicating with his team mates on the ice. He has had a rough patch since last week though based on his overall play. His skating has not been as strong as it was the first few months of the season. He has lacked the jump that was there just a few weeks back. Could be injury or the inevitable physical wall every player hits around this time of year. The Hawks have played more games than most teams via the concentrated schedule they drew. Seabs has some big miles on him so bounce back might be lacking right now. Seabrook though is a proven gamer and is a real leader on this team. I am not selling him down the river based on the recent samples.
Lets Go Hawks!
Notice that the negative people aren’t posting today! They go quiet when the
hawks are rolling! It’s a pleasure to come here when the clowns are participating
in some circus act instead of spreading their negativity and pessimism on this
forum.
Kenny Wharram RIP. What a great Blackhawk he was and for those around in those days, The Scooter Line was one terrific group to watch. Thanks for the memories KW.
Lets Go Hawks!
Phil,
I echo your sentiment on Kenny Wharram. Only some of us “older” Hawk fans had the pleasure of watching him skate with Stan Mikita on the Scooter Line. Consistent scorer, very fast. A perfect fit with Stan. I remember watching him on TV, starting with the 1961 Cup games against Montreal and Detroit.
…..This Blackhawk team is becoming very predictable…… lol…….Blasting their opponents in the first….Hoping that will suffice before they fall asleep in the second ………And then trying to tie things up in the third and score a winning goal….By gosh…I believe it’s working…..But not so sure they will succeed in the playoffs this way but what do I know……Toews , Hossa Kieth and Crawford have to find the higher gears again for Hawks to fly high this season….Rookies that are left are doing somersaults to stay on team and are the main force behind the Blackhawks surge to first in their conference….Let’s hope it lasts!…Go Blackhawks!….
Ken Wharram-part of the Scooter Line-Ol’ Coot Noonan remembers.
Kero is making a very strong case to replace Kruger. He’s pretty good at the dot, he’s responsible, he’s got more upside offensively and he’ll be way cheaper.
Agree Demo. He is improving most every game. The two things I like about him most are his positioning and his compete level. He is ready to make the jump.
That line has won a lot of shifts down low in the past few games. Nobody talks about it, but Panik is so strong — what a steal he’s been. Kudos to Stan for that one.
Just to add, Danault is having a nice year for Habs. Losing him hurt. Solid hockey player.
We know the top guys that are not putting up stats/really good play can and we do need every top guy to play good/really good for playoffs. Would like to see these guys do this at times in games 40-60.
What we didn’t know if enough young guys can play and fill the positions needed. These guys are doing good and need to keep it going. Man we will we be smiling if we have 4 lines rolling by game 60.
Un but magnifique
http://www.rds.ca/videos/hockey/canadiens-phillip-danault-inscrit-un-but-spectaculaire-face-aux-jets-lnh-3.1214238
I don’t think beating the Sabres, Preds, Canes, and a poor Wings team is being on a roll. Lets see how we do in the next few games before we crown this team champs. I love the Hawks too but some of you need a reality check and stop acting like a flock of sheep.
Noonan, 40 is the new 21.
Mining, you out there youre going to get frostbite.
Where we havnt played many top 10 teams (roster wise) recently, CAR had inly lost 2 times in 11 when they beat us (on a 3in4) and 3rd time in over 15 games or so. They beat us, STL and CLB so they have been playing really good (even though their one of the best bottom 10 teams). Regardless of how we do in the next few games doesn’t mean anything except for those games. Overall we are 12-4-3 against top 10 teams and that is really good. I would rather beat MIN then WAS but a split would be fine/good.
We are still a work in progress, need to keep lines gelling in right direction. Work as a team.
Like that 67 is pretty good at faceoffs and Hartman is developing into the type of dude we thought he could when we drafted him.
Kero is 45%. Not sure that qualifies as pretty good.
Happy B-day for Mr. Hossa, thanks for 20 years of exciting hockey.
Thought he was around 50. It looks that way.
Toews-58.5
Anisimov-45.5
Kruger-51.0
Desjardins- 51.1
Kero- 45.0
Rasmussen-43.2
Hinostroza- 40.1
Schmaltz-32.2
Desjardins has taken the fewest draws with 45. Next fewest is Kero with 100.
When Mooser was in Krugs spot (9 games/Tazer) against harder competition for faceoffs he prob would have done better center 3rd line (4th line checking/Krugs line). Same with Kero when Krugs comes back he prob can do better on faceoffs because it wont be as hard competition/better faceoff centers in league (depending on who youre playing/whos playing). Kero could be better on faceoffs then 70 exspecially when hes not going aginst better faceoff centers. Krugs (and Tazer) usually go against 1st line centers (and Artys goes against other teams checking faceoff centers) that leaves 3rd/4th or worse best centers for Kero/Mooser/Dejon/Hino. You know what I mean.
my 2 cents: the line of Hartman-Kero-Panik has looked good together. The glaring issue continues to be someone to capitalize on the offensive potential of 19 & 81. Love me some Vinnie Hinostroza, and I think he’ll be a fun piece of this team for some time, but clearly the Blackhawks are looking for more from their top line.
Even with the faceoff numbers Ernie outlined, the Hawks haven’t missed Kruger much while he’s been out. And if Hinostroza moves into the spot of one of Desjardins/Tootoo, the fourth line immediately improves .