Patrick Kane, Blackhawks Blow Out Blues
Patrick Kane and Kris Versteeg stayed hot and the Blackhawks used an early third period highlight display to blow away the division-leading Blues.
The day didn’t start very well for the Blackhawks, who returned to the United Center after a couple successful weeks on the road; the team announced starting netminder Corey Crawford will miss the next 2-3 weeks because of an injury.
But Wednesday ended incredibly well, as an offensive explosion led by the usual suspects – Kane and Versteeg – blew the division leading St. Louis Blues out of the building.
After a strong play by Brandon Saad started a 2-on-1 rush, Marcus Kruger gave the Blackhawks a 1-0 lead late in the first period.
The Blues were able to take the Hawks off their game early, however. Chicago had to kill three penalties in the opening 20 minutes, two of which were drawn by Steve Ott. Thankfully, the Hawks were able to handle the short-handed work with relative ease, allowing only three shots while the Blues had the advantage.
On a delayed penalty against Kane in the middle stages of the second period, Ian Cole was able to tie the game.
The game stayed tied until 59 seconds had come off the clock in the third period.
As a St. Louis penalty was ending, Jonathan Toews found Versteeg in front of the net and Versteeg scored what would be the game-winning goal. It is the eighth of the season already for Versteeg, who had only 14 in 91 combined games between two cities over the 2012-13 and 2013-14 seasons.
Only 1:48 later, Versteeg set up Kane for his first of the night. The two would hook up again less than three minutes later for Kane’s second of the night and 12th of the season, making the score 4-1 and putting the Blues away for the night.
Kane had two goals in 18:09 and Versteeg added assists on both of Kane’s goals to his game-winning tally for a three-point night. Toews won 16 of 21 faceoffs with his one assist in a dominant effort from the Hawks at home.
Late in the game, Daniel Carcillo and Brent Seabrook were sent to the showers early as the Blues started their usual cheap shots in a losing effort. Seabrook led the Hawks with four blocked shots in over 25 minutes of ice time in the victory. Duncan Keith had a team-high 27:50 on the ice in the victory.
In his first start in more than a full month, Antti Raanta played a very good game. He allowed only the one goal to Cole while facing 41 shots. The Blackhawks successfully killed six penalties in the game, and Raanta played a big role in the short-handed defense. In one moment of questionable decision making later in the game, Raanta came out to play a puck near the blue line and went down… but the Blues were offsides and couldn’t take advantage of an empty cage.
Bryan Bickell continued his free fall down the lineup, skating a forward-low 7:50 in the game. He was credited with one blocked shots and two hits on 13 shifts; even Carcillo, who was sent packing early, had more ice time than Bickell. David Rundblad also skated 13 shifts, spending a team-low 7:33 on the ice.
David Backes was credited with six hits but won only four of 12 faceoffs and picked up 16 penalty minutes in the loss. Jake Allen allowed all four of the goals against 33 shots with recently-signed Martin Brodeur looking on from the bench.
Also, Barrett Jackman is still a jackwagon.
What a great thing to watch when Kane has it all together..just oozing confidence and ability….despite some sloppy and undisciplied play we beat the tar out of those cheatin goons…Versteeg is a powerhouse…not faulting Seabrook or Carcillo for responses to the usual sore loser tactics by the Blues. We are for real my friends.. for real!
Ott you’d be better off not to hit people high, “you’ll shoot your eye out kid”.
So ummm, Hawks dominance?
– Steeger? Or should we now all say ‘future hall of famer Kris Versteeg’?
– Hammer – quietly the best defensive d-man in hockey
– Nordstrom – power moves and nice dekes coming out of the zone. Contributed to the great bottom 6 edge I saw for the Hawks tonight.
– Ben Smith – is there a Hawk more proficient in winning board battles aside from possibly Toews?
– Kane – dude is useless. guy should be traded.
– Carcillo – proving me and a whole lotta other people wrong and once again a credit to Q and Bowman
– Saad – thanks for the first goal of the game. strong on the puck there!
– Runbad – not so blad tonight! aside from maybe a missed pinch and a bum pass
– Toews – if only we had a captain little Backes, with more lizard-brain rage than hockey skill! Like Hammer, doing the little things, but his line is about due…
– Badass Richards – let’s face it. Lately he’s looking like a great fit and I’m having Zeus nightmares wondering what could have been last season…
Because it must be said: Raanta Claus is Coming to Town
They got the lead and didn’t let up!! They kept their foot on the gas the entire game!!
Very nice performance by the good guys!
Awesome effort tonight. Sr. Brad, this is what you have dreamed of, 4 functioning lines. Now when Sharpie gets back i hope they sit Bickell. The Blues top line neutered by 16-28-42, wow!
Luv the post ftr…we need some good humour time to time…too many put downs and personal attacks lately…but we are good arent we! Hockey fans just need something to pretend to be outraged about …starting to feel real bad for Edmonton fans though.
It is great to see the club going so good right now and few things are as sweet as owning the Blues at home like we did tonight. With that said, I hope the board won’t mind a word about the great Jean Beliveau who, as the hockey world knows, passed away Tuesday night at age 83.
If you grew up with the Blackhawks and if you’ve also played the game, like so many of us here did, then somewhere along the line you came also to know, admire, and respect The Game itself and the wider hockey world. My hockey consciousness expanded beyond Bobby Hull, Stan Mikita, and the Stadium in the spring of 1971 when we lost the SC Final to Montreal. I was permanently affected by the persona of Jean Beliveau as he raised that glorious Cup – on our ice – for the Canadiens once again. He was 40 years old that spring and it would be his last Cup in uniform (the 10th), though he’d have his name engraved upon it seven more times as an executive. It was a very bitter defeat for us that year, but somehow losing to a team with a man like that for a captain wasn’t shameful at all. Much is being said right now about Mr. Beliveau and the most often repeated words are “class”, “elegeance”, and “leadership”. In the case of Mr. Beliveau these words cannot be overused, he was all of that. Mr. Beliveau was one of the very, very few public figures who rightfully deserved the glory that came to him. It was always as if he were born to it. He wore it so well.
Rest In Peace, Jean Beliveau.
Have to admit that I was 100% wrong on Versteeg, if he can maintain this level of play without a injury, could be a career year for him and a dominant 2nd line. Nordstrom looks much stronger and confident than I remember from last year. Great team effort from 4 lines makes for a very entertaining 3rd period again. Have to love sending Backe-ass, Jackass and Snott home with a spanking, the tri-fekta of thugs.
hows Sharpie gonna fit in now … Almost worried if he comes back now!
anyone worried about how sharpie will fit in, or thinking that he will not add to this team has a very short memory. Can not wait to get him back
44 is up.
(Mike57) “Now when Sharpie gets back i hope they sit Bickell.” — If we’re voting, I completely agree!!
As for where Sharp fits-in, I would change the current lines as little as possible = Sharp with Shaw and Carcillo & Bickell watching. This would add more potential scoring to the 3rd line (and an even more balanced attack). Ice time – Sharp would play the PP, obviously.
It was good to see Q give Rundblad some time (mostly with a three goal lead?) It could be “confidence” is large thing for 5…? From what I’ve seen, he seems to pass well.
The Hawks have a three goal lead in the 3rd and Tarasenko finds himself with a little bit of open ice. While Tarasenko was not going full speed, he wasn’t going slow. 81 in red puts his head down and catches Tarasenko from behind, harassing him and taking him off the puck. While Hossa may have not caused a turnover, he effectively ended that Blues’ chance. We are priviledged to watch Hossa in the IndianHead.
MARCUS!!
I LOVE it when Marcus gets a goal. That is FOUR in 30 days folks!! All Ws too. Can you imagine if he could get 4 a month regularly? We could not afford him. 16 is king
RD- agree on Kuuger… But from what I read… he wants to stay w Hawks and will take less$$$…
I am also seeing rumors that Saad – may be pushing for more $$$… (opposite of 16)
I wouldn’t play 10 until the Hawks lose 2 games in a row…
Raanta!!!! Crow-Who? AND- I don’t think he even played that well!!! Lets up 1 on 41 shots…
If the Hawks can find a 6th D man… would be nice…
SURPRISED- that another Hog D man hasn’t been given a chance yet!!!
Nice to see the Hawks getting many more Odd/mans then the opposition… for several games in a row… The trend must continue- for the Hawks to be legit contenders… imo
This type of victory following our circus trip sure brings confidence and memories of past cup years, but it’s still early and we have lots more to prove. That said, there’s plenty to be please with:
1. SrBrad was absolutely right about Versteeg’s return to form this year after a summer of re-hab. He reportedly saw/heard it first hand and am thrilled he was on the money! He’s also (no doubt), as satisfied as we all are to see Q rolling 4 lines. Whodathunkit?!
2. As one of the (if not the only), “long term” supporter of Carcillo as a Hawk on this board, I am beyond pleased with his contributions to this team. Tough and feisty while also reasonably skilled is an edge this team needs. Combined with 65, they bring a nice balance to team attitude and personality. Love it when he’s on the spot to defend any teammate in need. Doesn’t stop the cheapo guys from being cheap (like half the Blues squad), but it DOES bring a pride and team morale element this Hawks team appreciates. Let’s remember that if/when 13 makes a bad decision somewhere down the line. So far, remarkable restraint as I believe he’s gotten the message on how to control, apply and walk the edge.
3. We have to figure out a way to keep 16. I think we learned the hard way what happens to your club when you lose guys with this character (as in Frolik.)
A couple other thoughts to add:
* Kudos to the stats boys who assured us the shooting % would return to the mean. They’re going in and the effort looks good.
* That said, I think it’s clear the quality of shots has improved, thus the % is increasing (as subjective of an analysis as that is.)
* Brad Richards. Just. What. The. Doctor. Ordered.
* Raanta: The fish-flop thing in the 1st period (along with the numerous, huge rebounds), had me worried and the Hawks scrambling. Glad to see him settle a bit, but would not mind seeing Darling on Friday.
* Friday change prediction: Sharp in on line-1, 20 down to line-3, 29 in press box.
Negzz – hats off on the Carcillo support, you and my smarter than me kid were in his corner from the start and I am ready to believe!
Wall – Sharpie has to play, I wanted to trade him all summer but you have to add his scoring to the mix and I think he plugs into Toews and Hossa and Saad takes Bickells spot on the Shaw line. Bickell can sit till the playoffs when he can bring his A game to the ice.
Hawks running lines 1A, 1B, 3A and 3B, no 4th line with the 16-28-42 line playing as well as they have and NEUTERING teams top lines like they have.
Honest Negzz and I are not the same person.
Completely agree that the Hawks need to keep their young rising players. Kruger willing to give a little to stay on the Hawks is good for BOTH team and player. Krugs is not a top 6 so he is realistic about the money. If I were gonna be a bottom 6 anyway, who better to play for than the Hawks.
Saad looking for a big payday is NOT anti-team. Saad is a budding star who will be top 6 most of his career. He is worth any reasonable salary the Hawks need to pay him.
I think SB will test the waters for Bickell and Sharp to relieve $10mm in Cap space. That assumes they waive their NMCs . I am a Hawks fan who would hate to lose Sharp, but his $6mm can probably buy both Saad @ 3.5 and Krugs @ 2.5. Bickell’s $4mm will pay for 4 guys from Rockford like TT, Dahlback, McNiell and Ross.
Lastly…..who knows. The way Darling and Raanta seem to be playing, is Crows $6mm expendable?????
Just looked up Neutered to see if I spelled it correctly and the hawks certainly did that to Tarasenko and Oshie last night. Bet people that don’t watch hockey much were wondering why they were talking about Tarasenko might be getting a huge payday – INVISIBLE last nite.
neu·ter
/?n(y)o?od?r/
verb
past tense: neutered; past participle: neutered
castrate or spay (a domestic animal).
•render ineffective; deprive of vigor or force.
Dalhback gets the call up Clendening is sent down…..good for both players
As I said, funny that people say the Hawks are in a “transition” when every team in the league is still trying to catch up to them.
How Raanta only gave up 1 goal last night I have no idea. He was all over the place in the first period and the Hawks seemed pretty lucky that nothing went in.
I don’t know if I’ve ever seen a more dominating effort by a team that gave up 41 shots. The Hawks put the pedal to the floor as soon as the Blues tied it and never looked back. I guess the shot totals could be blamed on all of the stupid penalties the Hawks took throughout the game?
David Backes is a walking penis. I am so glad he doesn’t play for the team I root for.
I’ve been a Bickell supporter for a long time, I’m struggling to keep supporting. I think the weight loss was a bad idea for him. He’s only slightly faster and just bounces off people now. You can see him trying, but perhaps he’s trying too hard instead of letting the game come to him.
Patrick Kane… pretty good. I can’t believe Jackman didn’t cross check him after he pantsed him.
I may have consumed too much bourbon, but didn’t Hammer take a slash to the wrist and immediately go to the dressing room with a few minutes left in the game? Would be all sorts of bad if he was seriously hurt.
Mike- Re: possible trades in off season for Cap relief…
SB- has to keep all of those options alive- pending what he can get in return… and what Hawks have to replace…
Bickell- easiest to want to dump… BUT- who wants him playing like this… AND what can Hawks get for him (nothing)… But McNeill (and Hayden in 2-3 years – would be Major upgrade)
Sharp- hard to move w Trade clause… but has value… But , Hard to replace w/ any prospect
Crow- IS Playing GREAT… BUT- has most value on Market (of all 3 mentioned) – right now!!! IF – Darling/Raanta/Russian kid from Isles- keep playing well… Might be easier to replace than ALL of the Hawks mentioned- imo
AND- IF TvR can come back 100% (Big If)… makes D side even better looking ahead…
SO makes Goalie position – a little Stronger- Cuz TvR IS responsible!!!
JS- agree on 1st period/lucky- Raanta/Hawks weren’t down 3…
But – a lot of it was on PK… and the Hawks Forwards were giving the Blues D tons of time and space…
That’s how the Hawks (especially D )… is built- not to clear the space in front of net… BUT- to beat the Offense to the loose pucks around the net… and Move the puck away… sometimes it works… sometimes it doesn’t
Now that was fun to watch. Not much else to add, but was probably most impressed by Saad’s play on Kreuger’s goal. Looks like Hossa continues to rub off on him. Just worried we may not be able to keep him with the cap constraints. He’s going to be due for a raise.
Nice to see 91, 88 and 23 starting to gel. Most of us (myself included) thought both Richards and Versteeg were done. Very happy that he is proving me wrong. Two more big ones this weekend against top teams. Hawks should be atop the central with 2 more W’s.
There are 9 teams in the NHL with more points than the Hawks. Two of those teams we have not played. Of the remaining seven, we only lost to the Canucks & Blues. The balance of those teams, we have beaten. 5 of the victories against those teams were decisive beatdowns. The cream, the Hawks, are rising to the top.
Peter agree on Hossa. HOF great. Glad he is winding down his career with the Hawks. Winding down, but not slowing yet. A classy, hardworking professional.
I was wrong on Steeger. I always loved the guy, but wasn’t happy with his play last year and was on the bandwagon to get rid of him in the offseason. Glad we had no takers on the Leddy/Steeger rumored package. Thank God for unanswered prayers.
Go Hawks!!!!
So I cant believe Raanta didn’t give up 5 goals that game. Did not look like he was holding his net very well. While he has gotten some results, I dunno how sustainable that type of play is or isn’t. But then again what do I know.
Patrick Kane, wow. That Versteeg goal was magical.
There was some article about how Bickell makes perfect sense for the Pens. He would probably score 30 goals a season playing next to Malkin or Crosby.
As Neggz said, I don’t think we can say enough positive things about Richards. The play he made on the first Kane goal was just incredible effort and ability. He still isn’t (and never has been) the best skater, but I just love watching him dissect plays. That line is absolutely toying with the oposition at evens and it’s getting to the point where you expect them to score every time they are on the ice.
re: Raanta – whole lot of Tim Thomas/Dom Hasek happening last night (NOT putting Raanta in a class with either, simply a comparison of “styles”)… he was an effective hot mess against a good team w/ a good offense. Wasn’t pretty but it worked.
I actually laughed out loud when he whiffed on the puck and fell down and St. Louis went offsides with an empty cage.
Raanta- super aggressive coming out of net to cut down angles…don’t know if he will/wants to stop that (cuz he is smaller goalie- so feels the need to do it)
leads to losing net- easily… so Weak side D better pay attention…
He is really making effort to close 5 hole on longer/screened shots (been a weakness in past)… so that is positive
Tab- any chance you can show that raanta flop??? My DvR was in and out last nite… missed it!
What seemed clear to me watching the game at the UC was Hawks team speed vs what looked to be a much slower Blues roster. Hawks were quicker to pucks, to open ice and getting back on defense. Blues seemed to be forced outside alot especially guys like Steen, Oshie and Tarasenko. I am not sure if Oshie is dragging out there because he is coming back from injuries, but this guy looked much slower than I remember him in recent years. Maybe carrying extra weight? Apart from Backes screening in front of the net, the guy was not a factor last night. Classless punches at Seabs late was typical from the worst Cpt in the league who leads by bad example. Of interest perhaps to you guys was fact that I sat next a Blues fan(not intentionally) whom I addressed concerning Jackman’s moronic on ice behavior when he went after Kane(yet again) in the 1st. So this guy says he has always hated Jackman and doesn’t know why he is still on the team. He agreed with me that guys like Jackman are wrecking Blues chances for success. A Blues fan tells the truth!!
Smith, Nordstrom, Saad, Krugs were all working their butts off out there last night. Toews looked very committed and caused the Blues all kinds of trouble. Nifty pass from the Cpt to Versteeg for a goal. Saad gets all credit for Kruger goal from sheer hard work. Q rolling 4 lines is paying off. I think most coaches would love having to fit a guy like Sharpy back in the lineup. Docs must have found right meds for Carcillo. He is really doing a wonderful job of staying in control, and focusing on helping fill his role to help the team win games. Very proud of his effort thus far.
Raanta was all over the place to start the first, flopping around and losing his crease, but the posts were his buddies, and allowed Antii enough time to get comfortable. His confidence has to be up after that game last night. I like our backups right now.
Habs tomorrow and then a big one in Nashville. Hawks are feeling it right now. you can tell by how they are skating and in the crisp confidence in their passing game.
Almost forgot. Steve Ott is a career moron. Thanks I feel better now.
Lets Go Hawks!
Booman- I think Hawks lost to Preds too!!!
Wall, you missed high comedy with Raanta coming out of his net. Not sure this description does it justice, but the puck was dumped out of the Blues zone and came across the red line heading toward the Hawks blue line. Raanta comes racing out to get it, trips and whiffs on the puck but the Blues were over the blue line ahead of the puck so offside. Ridiculous on the Blues to be ahead of that puck, massive stroke of luck for Raanta.
It was a pretty thin line between a blow out and a close game or possibly a loss. The Blues pinged their first two shots off the post and should have scored on the Raanta flop. Some great play on the Hawks side though and very much deserved the win.
With Sharp coming back does this mean that Morin will soon be on a flight out of town? I sure hope the move isn’t to send 42 back down to Rockford as the 16-28-42 line has been very impressive. They not only handle shut-down duties but had significant cycle time last night.
Phil – I also though Oshie was invisible last night. I believe he has struggled coming back from a concussion and he did not look good.
Regarding the Blues dirtbag tactics did others see Parise call them out the other night? I think this is Hitchcock’s last shot at making a run – and I hope they once again fail miserably.
It would be a class act for the Hawks to make note of Jean Beliveau’s passing tomorrow. He was indeed a class act top to bottom as a player and person off the ice. I remember watching those games at the Stadium when my dad would take me, and on TV in black and white when Hawks played Habs when I was a little kid. Beliveau had this aura.
As lifetime Hawks fan I can tell you that when visiting Bell Centre last year when Hawks were there I was able to get into the bowels of the arena before the morning pre game skate and look around. It all happened quite accidentally. So much cool Habs stuff in there with photos, trophies and things. You just have to respect their accomplishments.
That said I hope the Hawks beat their asses tomorrow night.
RIP #4
Lets Go Hawks!
Great game for the Hawks, the defense did a good job on the Blues “Star players” that will always be the knock on the Blues they truly lack star power. Tarasanko, Oshie and Backes are all good players. none of them are star players. Until the Blues prove they can beat the hawks when it matters they will always be a 2nd tier team.
That 2nd line is on a tear hopefully Q doesn’t try to tinker during Sharps return.
Unfortunately the Hawks sent Clendening down, I would have liked to see more of him but it appears like they want to give Runblad a longer look before making any decisions on him.
“That said I hope the Hawks beat their asses tomorrow night.”
Thanks Phil, I just spit my Red Bull on my computer screen.
Here to help as you know JS…
Good post RedTopParking, thanks!
Rantaa was a little shaky in the 1st…post was definitely his friend. After that he settled down nicely, but also lost is net a bit.
I can’t believe how well Verteeg and Richards are playing with Kane. With the line being so dangerous the Hawks are tough to defend.
Also love the way Ben Smith is playing. He is tough to knock off the puck and has filled in nicely on the PK with Kruger.
Final thought, Eddie O pointed out 20 to 30 second shifts helping on the PK as a whole. Not sure how many teams try it, but I like the idea.
Here here RedTopParking! I didn’t read some of earlier posts. Well said, and thank you for sharing.
10 19 81
23 91 88
20 65 28
29 16 13
@ Mike: I would leave the top 2 lines alone and see if Sharp can get Bickell going… if not, 29 can take a seat…
20 19 81
23 91 88
10 65 29
28 16 13
You guys are quick to bench Nordstrom, hope Q is quicker to bench the most non productive forward right now – 29.
I don’t want to break up our shut down line of 16-28-42 so I would put 10 with 19-81,
and 20 with 65-13 with the option of 29 stepping in for 13 when we don’t need his presence.
I like Tabs lines but I would bench 29, move 13 to his place and leave 42 with 16 & 28. It will be interesting to see how Dahlbeck does. I have high hopes for him.
Well taken Tab. That was my thought but using Saad to do it.
I don’t think anyone “wants” to bench 42. Simply put, Bickell is in the line up until he gets traded. Sure, Q may sit him a game or 2, but he can not get sent down and his $4mm Cap hit screams play better so someone will want you.
Lotta stand up guys around here…it’s nice to see the comments today and previously on owning up to prior criticisms of 23, 91. Well done
BS, hola mi amigo !
I remember seeing the Canadians win the Stanley Cup while watching closed circuit tv games when I was a kid with my father at the Bismark Theater in the 70’s. Jean Beliveau was an amazing hockey player and will be sorely missed even though I absolutely hated him at the time because they beat the Hawks. This is a really fun team to watch and reminds me of how exciting it was to be a Chicago hockey fan in the late 60’s and early 70’s. Go Hawks!
RD,
Here the info you asked for. I left out any links incase were not allowed to link.
I have a 7287 ‘prostock’ authentic and I am going to send it in to triple threat sports to get number and nameplate put on. Make sure you ask them if they have ‘edge mesh’ nameplates because that is what the guys wear. If you get a 7287 prostock authentic from jerseybaron, have him send you a edge mesh nameplate with blank jersey. That’s what I did just incase triple threat sports/city sports didn’t have it at the time I sent jersey there.
Jerseys
7287 edge 2.0 ‘pro stock’ authentic (ebay, jerseybaron)
7287 edge 2.0 ‘retail’ authentic (random stores)(these are indos and canada)
7187 edge 1.0 authentic (hockeyjerseysdirect)
Get jersey and have Triple Threat Sports or City Sports put number and nameplate on.
Google this for some info.
(forums.icejerseys.com/index.php?showtopic=6975&page=2)
or
(fans.blackhawks.nhl.com/community/topic/30321-authentic-jerseys/page__st__225)
Let me know if you need/want more info. Cheers, man.