Patrick Kane, Blackhawks Dominate Flyers
Patrick Kane scored twice and Antti Raanta stopped every shot he faced as the Blackhawks dominated the Flyers for 60 minutes.
The Hawks jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first period, scoring three times in a 2:06 window.
Brandon Saad, who was moved to the third line with Brad Richards and Bryan Bickell, opened the scoring by putting a rebound back through Steve Mason. Kane scored a power play goal (yes, a power play goal) only 32 seconds later with Michael Raffl in the box. And 94 seconds later, Bickell collected a nice pass from Saad and deposited his first goal of the campaign.
Chicago out-shot the Flyers 19-9 in the opening 20 minutes.
The second period came and went without a scoring play, but Kane scored his second power play goal of the night 3:50 into the third period to put the Flyers away.
Saad was moved to the third line because Kris Versteeg returned to the lineup from his lower-body injury to make his season debut. He looked a lot more confident in his legs tonight than he did at any point in the spring, and saw time on both the power play and penalty kill in the game.
Richards benefited from having Saad on his line, playing his best game of the young season; he collected an assist on Saad’s goal in the first period and was one of four Hawks credited with four shots on net in the game. Bickell led the team with six hits in the game to go with his first period tally as well.
Raanta had a fantastic night, earning a 32-save shutout. He wasn’t test a lot in the first 15 minutes of the game, but made some big saves in the game’s final 40 minutes to keep Philly off the board.
The Hawks successfully killed both of the Flyers’ power play opportunities, while converting two of their four advantages.
In 16:45, rookie defenseman Trevor vanRiemsdyk was credited with two blocked shots and two takeaways while skating with Michal Rozsival.
Jonathan Toews led the Hawks with three takeaways and was credited with an assist in the game, while Patrick Sharp picked up two more assists in the game. Johnny Oduya blocked three shots to lead the box score in that regard, and – perhaps most importantly – Duncan Keith led all Blackhawks in ice time again… but only skated 21:01 in the victory.
No complaints after tonight! Third line looked great, Bickell put on his big boy pants, and Q balanced the ice times.
Let’s go Hawks!
Excellent coaching Q. 29/91/20
Bickell played the type of game we need him to play on a consistent basis. He seemed more energized tonight with Saad on his line … coincidence?
Other than Versteeg’s bad penalty, he played very well. Good to see and I think the team is better with him in the lineup – providing he plays like he did tonight.
Raanta didn’t have many Grade-A chances to stop but he stopped all 32 shots and that’s all that matters. Good for the likeable young man.
TvR doesn’t have good speed but man-o-man does he play the game right. Knows where to be and what to do. Eddie was oh-so correct in pointing out the reason Saad could pass the puck to Bickell for his goal is because TvR jumped into the play and drove the net taking the d-man with him. Simple play but the right play and it made the difference in getting a quality chance that resulted in a goal. Keep it up youngblood.
It’s only a matter of time for 10-19-81 to ringing em up. They have possession and get chances – just can’t bury it yet. Hopefully the floodgates open soon.
Nice to have 27-4 back together. I wonder if Q will play 57-5 when Rozsival needs a game off?
On the Hillrodville for an early season tussle for the division lead.
The early asset test will be the St Louis game. The Hawks have feasted on a very easy first five game schedule. I’m anxious to see how the Statsny addition has changed how Hitchcock and Blues play. Not surprising, the powers of the Western Conference shape up to be Chicago, St Louis, Minnesota, Anaheim and LA. Not sold on San Jose.
TVR has looked encouraging. I just wonder though what happens when that 3rd pairing faces the top teams. And teams in general that can skate. I also think we will see a glaring need for a blueline presence. Johns and Dahlbeck should stay near the phone.
ER- I have to somewhat disagree with your “TvR doesn’t have good speed”…
When he joined up on the 29 goal to make it a 3 on 2… Did you see where he was on the ice in the D zone??? 57 was the furthest guy from Mason (excluding Raanta)…
The kid was shot out of a Canon… either he has great anticipation, great hustle (lack of Phil. effort) , or the Kid has great 1st couple of strides… while I agree- I haven’t noticed Leddy type of speed… I think TvR must have some very strong,quick 1st strides (like 81,20 have) to be able to join the rush from standing next to Raanta.
I replayed that play when it happened just to see where TvR started- I was shocked!!!
So it appears many of us are saying TvR isn’t as quick up and down the ice as Leddy but plays a smart game… can we consider him Oduya-like? I think he’s been a fantastic addition to the roster and he continues to look more comfortable every night.
Versteeg needs to go adds nothing to that line or the team, he’s average at best so bring Morin Up give him “ice time” and let him grow. TVR is going to be the best defensemen on the team by next year. He was “responsible” for the first goal by moving up into the offensive zone and going to the side of the net drawing the defense, NO OTHER D-Man on the Hawks does that. He is tall, has a great stick and is hard to knock off his feet and has such incredible ICE AWARENESS that any lack of “anything” is a non-factor. Richards is still okay but put SADDDDDD on any line in the NHL and productivity will go up, simple, so Hawks need to know “Now” how much support Richards needs to be effective. Hawks Horrible on the DOT – Philly cleaned up vs Toews on face offs.
Isn’t Stasny still out with an upper body injury? Still will be good to see how we stack up against our Central competition.
Really looks like Raanta made a big leap forward in the off-season. He didn’t appear to lose his net (or his stick) with the frequency he did last year. If he keeps this up looks like we have 2 solid shot-stoppers.
I continue to like what I see from TvR. It will be interesting to see how he does against some stiffer competition but so far so good from the kid.
TVR if we’re watching the same guy is unlike any defensemen the hawks have, i say more like a Bill White of days gone by. His ability to read the ice, when to go to the net like last night in the first goal, when to drift back, when and how to angle the man into the boards, great splap shot awesome passer, and CONFIDENT. He is going to be the one reason Hawks may get back into the finals. He’s not slow . . . he height and stick and skill allow him to NOT LOOK FRANTIC like Dunkin does at times when he uses his speed to make up for a mis-read. I love this kid . . . Looking for Ben Smith to pick up a little too! Rozy is also efficient . . . and he is slow but smart.
WALL, at least is actually watching the game, while TVR “shot out of a cannon” is a little exuberant TVR has above average speed, it’s not so much pure speed but reaction time and transition time, (like nba) from defense to offense, he has incredible instinct that is natural on when to jump up. That Bickel Goal was all TVR he drew the d-man about 18 inches to him and that is all Bickel needs. I think TVR had maybe at most a bad 16 seconds time on ice last night, i as many here do watch this kids closely, fun to see him get better and he will.
Leddy scored again and was evens (and above water regarding fancy stats) in a game where NYI got kinda roasted FWIW.
Richards playing with a premiere player kind of helped his game…
Hate pretty much everything about the second line. If Richards or Toews isn’t going to play with Kane may as well bring up the lil guy from Finland. Gotta wonder if Kane sits around in his pad in the Trump Tower with a chubby girl on either side wondering why Q doesn’t want him to win a scoring title.
Hossa and Richards sub 16 minutes makes me very happy though.
Good thing Philly sucks at D and Goaltending and has a bunch of headcases on their team…
Most important comment made by Tab was the fact that the Hawks put together their first solid 60 minute effort of this young campaign. All lines looked pretty good last night. Yes, Bickell came to play and was perhaps energized by Saad, who by the way sure set the table for Bicks on his marker. Big game for Bickell as he finally woke up, displayed what is hopefully a more physical presence as we move forward. Bickell and the entire team went hard to the net and were rewarded for their efforts.
Power play looked much better via puck movement. Thanks to the donkey Raffl for allowing the Hawks PP units to get the extra work in. What a moron.
Nice to see Raanta step up too. He was moving post to post really well. Hawks team defense was much improved last night and everyone seemed focused in this direction. Flyers were one and done with shots on goal for the most part, as Hawks D men cleared out rebounds and fenced off attackers.
So not to look past Preds tomorrow, but the St Louis game this weekend is the first real test of the season, and its a road game. Good to see the Hawks take advantage of a fairly easy schedule stretch in here and claim most of the points against teams they should do well against. It has seemed in recent years the Hawks would play the good teams tough and sort of coast against the lower echelon talent which often would result in lost points.
Keep it rolling boys and,
Lets Go Hawks!!
I didn’t see the game but the boxscore indicates Toews didn’t get roasted at the dot, in fact all the Hawks dominated except Shaw which is another reason why he shouldn’t be playing center
Faceoff %
Richards 60%
Smith 57%
Toews 52%
Kruger 67%
Shaw 38%
This was the first game I got to see a large stretch of.
TVR has been talked about a lot, but I thought he played well and was always in the right position…I think he looked good.
Was Rozival hurt last year, or after Sochi at least. What I saw of him last night, looked nothing like 13-14 Rozy.
Raanta played well, he did leave some rebounds out there, but he was getting peppered with some hard shots. He tracked the puck amazingly well. The rebounds left out there were actually cleared by the Dmen and forwards as the shell within 10 feet of the net was superb…I didn’t see forwards doing that last year.
I have always thought Shaw was fine at center, and would especially be on a line with Kane where Kane controls the puck so much. I was wrong and agree with everyone saying he should play wing. That 2nd line didn’t have a lot of chemistry last night.
Carcillo played 8:46 of even strength time last night and the Hawks only took two penalties. If the Hawks minimize their box time, I love the “12th” forward getting over 8 minutes of even strength time. Keep rolling 4 lines.
Versteeg gonna Versteeg. He looks better than last year, played pretty well, did something stupid.
Brandon Saad is probably one of the most underrated players in the NHL. No matter who he plays with, he makes them better. Kid is ridiculously good and exactly what Bickell and Richards needed to make that line work. He is the second best on the Hawks at controlled entries, he’s capable of getting to the puck along the boards, and he has crazy vision to get the puck to the open man. The give and go he worked with Bickell on that first goal was just beautiful to watch.
First line will start scoring eventually, weird that Hossa has one point through five games and Sharp not doing much outside of the power play.
Speaking of Saad, Kane and Shaw don’t work together without Saad and that’s why they got absolutely shelled in Corsi last night. They shouldn’t be that deep under water when the rest of the team was dominating. That line won’t work with Versteeg because he typically dumps the puck and while I admire Shaw’s tenacity, he isn’t very good along the boards and if teams are going to send 3 forwards at Kane in the neutral zone, they are going to struggle with possession.
TVR- At one point last night (while sitting and watching the game by myself), I said, “Holy crap did they get something wtih TVR.” He’s smart, calm, patient, and strong. He’s not FAST, but he’s a good skater and he makes good decisions on that first stride. Yes, his straight line speed on the Bickell goal was impressive, but straight line speed doesn’t impress me that much.
Now that Q has fixed the third line, maybe it’s time for him to figure out how to fix the second.
If you don’t think TvR can skate, watch Bickell’s goal again. He drove to the net and opened the passing lane. I like him – good find. Solid depth player.
Oh, I should also say- I don’t mind this incarnation of Dan Carcillo. He has played pretty well and hasn’t done anything stupid. It’s still a shame that Morin came back after being promised a shot at playing time and he’s been given 10 shifts a night.
And Raanta was insanely better than he was last year. He only did his floppy fish dance a few times but the rest of the night his positioning was spot on.
Pat Foley talking about Wins as a measurement for the skill level of a goalie makes me want to stab myself in the eye balls. Steve Mason is a bad goalie, he always has been. Raanta had a “great” rookie season last year even though he had a sub .900 save percentage? Go home Foley, you’re drunk.
Eddie O talking about elevating the puck is making me want to cut my ears off. How many god damn times does the man have to tell you that you beat a goalie high? WHICH GOALIES DO YOU NOT BEAT HIGH?!? Crossbar and in to score? COOL. EVERYONE WANTS TO DO THAT EVERY TIME THEY SHOOT.
:)
AJ, Leddys stats don’t mean anything. He’s not in Chicago, the central division, or the western conference. Let it go.
Mook- I think TvR’s instinct and 1st step are great… and he is really impressing me on how quickly he boxes or cuts guys off to the puck along the D boards… Still hasn’t faced the Big/Quick forwards (LA, Ducks, Blues)… but so far – very impressive.
And he kinda reminds me of 7, when he jumps into/dives to the net… 7 has that late game knack…
Raanta- really looked like he has worked on covering that 5 hole
AJ- totally agree on 2nd line/Bring in TT… If they brought in TT/2nd line… then go 65 on wing on 4th line… ( 65 will get his 14 minutes w/ heavy PP minutes)
I think this would make the Hawks REALLY good!!!! 2nd line would have the most jitterbug-like skaters w/ Great vision in the League!!! 4th line would be the All-Heart grind line (that could actually score every nite)… Carcillo could/should have 5-6 goals right now if he was just a little better w/ the hands!!!
If we’re going to make up lines w/ TT in the mix…
10-19-81
20-TT-88
29-91-65
28-16-13/23
Also, if we’re going to consider calling up TT, someone (read: Jeremy Morin) needs to be dealt to have adequate cap space/flexibility moving forward.
Let’s all keep in mind that the Hawks are one of the few remaining teams w/out a regulation loss and the NHL roster in Chicago is deep already. No need to rush TT if they don’t have to – and right now, they don’t have to.
re: Section 333 – Stastny is reportedly “week-to-week” w/ an upper-body injury.
Also of note, Tampa will be w/out Victor Hedman when they arrive in Chicago for the 11/11 matchup.
In all the weeping and gnashing of teeth over the loss of Leddy is how Oduya continues to be a strong asset to the Hawks. The Hjalmarsson – Oduya combo remains one of THE best defensive pairings in hockey. Oduya has been grade A thru the first 5 games too. He definitely will be gone to free agency next summer, but we should be VERY pleased he is part of another serious Stanley Cup push.
I like what I have seen out of Van Riemsdyk. But I think it is premature to shower him with high praise. Fact is we haven’t really played anybody yet. That and the Hawks are keeping his role on the ice S.I.M.P.L.E. Lots to like about the kid and he clearly has a high hockey IQ. But I need to see how he looks against the likes of St. Louis, Anaheim, Minnesota, LA. And some of the Eastern Conference powers. We should expect a heavy learning curve, and probably times where he struggles on the ice.
Honestly, Rosival has looked good thru 2 games. If there is a way to manage his game and minutes load, then he has enough in the tank for one more season. The problem is the alternative of Runblad… That will NOT be good enough as a 7th defenseman. We will absolutely NEED a blueline presence that we don’t have beyond Seabrook and Hjalmarsson right now. Again, Dahlbeck and Johns should stay near the phone…but even then they will have learning curves and it would be imprudent to throw them into the frying pan.
Richards can’t skate. I keep going back to all the cautionary words of knowledgeable NYR media and fans. And he looks like he is playing on fumes and is very measured on how much energy he exerts during his shifts. That ain’t going to work in terms of line chemistry, fitting into the Hawks / Q style of forward play and going up against the upper tier teams in this league. Is is wrong of me to hope Richards goes down with an injury for several months?!? I don’t think so. I want to win another Cup while the opportunity is here.
The St. Louis game will be a good measuring stick. I have a strong hunch the Blues will want to get physical and lay the body. If they are successful with that strategy then you can bet the ranch other teams will take notes and the Hawks will need to find a way to adapt. The 5 teams we have played to date aren’t good enough or deep enough to have done that to the Blackhawks.
Random comments on the comments:
TvR isn’t slow and his straight line speed on the Bickell goal was OK, but it looks to me that his overall speed/quickness is average at best. Where that matters less for him than other players is that his thought process is so quick he doesn’t have to rely on speed to make up for mistakes because he doesn’t make many mistakes.
Rundblad hasn’t proven he can’t handle the 6D when Rozsival needs a game off. Maybe he will prove not up to the task but through the 3 games he’s played I think it’s premature to make that assessment. I would like to see how 57-5 would do on the 3rd pair – like maybe against the Preds tomorrow night. Let’s give it a chance.
TT – I’m as big a TT fanboy as there is but let’s rein in the TT stuff for a while. He hasn’t exactly lit the AHL on fire and may need some time to “settle in” before he hits his stride. That seems to be his MO as he was a slow starter in his sm-liiga days too.
Versteeg – it seems there will always be “some good / some bad” but as long as the “some good” outweighs the “some bad” I think he makes the team better. He has some chemistry with Kane (who doesn’t?) and he probably buries one of those juicy setups from Kane once he gets game timing down. I know Corsi ripped em up, but it’s only one game and I’d like to see more.
RTF, While I was leaning toward trading Oduya, the deal is done, it will not be undone and it is time to move on. I hope Leddy has a good career but hope he never has a GWG against the Hawks.
As for STL, the best way not to get beat up is an early lead. Make STL chase goals.
Agree with those who think TT needs 40-60 games in Rockford. Needs to learn the NA game and needs to experience leadership skills.
“CORSI – SHMORSI”!!!!!!
Rufus,
Totally agree with your comments on Oduya. Leddy is gone and that move does not hurt our cup chances, but losing losing Oduya would have.
I missed the game last night. Everything I read said it was a great game for the Hawks. I like that the Hawks currently have the second best goals against and have the best goal differential in the NHL. I love the scoring, but we have to be able to shut team down like we did in 2013. Appears the coaching staff is really pushing that again this year. What happened last year is beyond me. I’ll just blame it on Leddy… KIDDING!!!!
I know there is a lot of TVR love going on. I hope everyone is correct. I don’t know if he will be the best Hawk dman by next year as someone commented, but I hope he will work out in the long run. I have been anxious to see Stephen Johns on the team since they drafted him. 6’3″ or 6’4″ at 230lbs makes me salivate. Then reading about his bone crunching hits. Can’t wait to see him in Chicago…
Re Richards… again: I don’t know that he could ever skate exceptionally well. His last 91 point season included 40 PP points second only to Stamkos. His other was 46 PPP. That is kind of a lot. Anyway, 20 goals, automatic for as long as he has played, is kind of cool. He can still pass the puck well, he is still dangerous down low, and I doubt his finish has completely escaped him. A player like that needs to be used with the appropriate personal to maximize what skills are left.
In my opinion his success is 100% dependent on how the coaching staff decides to deploy him. Changing the scheme in some cases may not be the end of the world, especially since it seems like some of the stronger defensive teams have figured the Hawks out.
Leddy comments are perfectly relevant especially since I don’t think they got anything substantial back. Giving very talented RFA’s away is pretty intolerable. Makes me think that if the cap doesn’t move enough than so long Saad because the front office cant close a deal or at least one that Q approves of.
Oduya is a good player, which is fine, but also just turned 33. Probably very useful until 36 without any major injuries but at what capacity is open to debate. How many monies does he make after next year? 3? 2.5? 2? 4? Some stupid team could conceivably offer 12 million over 3 years and that would probably be a fair deal since Brooks Oprik.
RAANTA WOOT!!!!! YEAh Buddy!!!! I was part of the standing applause from the crowd. And no one has mentioned cro yet huh? I know everyone gets so defensive for him, so its kinda not cool to pick on him, especially when the offence is not scoring, but I would like to see Raanta get more chances to see what he can really do.
86 is going to add to our roster when hes ready. Wall I like 65/23 with 28 & 16.
44 or 34 & a D man at deadline are nice depth.
Nothing against 31. Without Crow we cant look to into the STL game.
In other yrs we didn’t win the early game against DET or STL but went on to win more overall against them throughout the season…
Regarding Leddy, it wasn’t that long ago that everyone was ready to run him out of town and he was even a healthy scratch during the playoffs just last year. I get that having a young defenseman who is still growing into his role is preferable over some of the gray-beards we have now but that’s the reality of the cap. We can’t just get rid of Oduya and Roszy because nobody wants them either. Leddy had value and someone was willing to take him and we had to get under the cap. Expect more of this rather once the 19/88 cap hit starts. The Blackhawk assets will have to be traded just to stay compliant but don’t expect much return. And God help us when Hossa retires.
#FreeSrBrad
Towards the beginning of the game Raanta looked shaky but got plenty of help. By the second he seemed more calm and collected. Definitely nice to get more even playing time on all the lines but I think the biggest change/improvement this game was repeatedly crashing the net on shots, looking for those dirty second chances. Excited that we’re still undefeated in regulation. Quite often the Hawks don’t seem to bring the energy until they’re down or desperate, but keeping this streak alive will give them something to fight for early.
JS- I love the Eddie O comment– funny- and I couldn’t agree more… if 16,13, and others could do what 88 and Malkin do… they would be All-stars and making $10 M too!!!!
just love when Eddie breaks out that “freeze it- now stop right there” garbage.
or ” now that doesn’t happen – if his stick is not on the ice”
or ” now all you kids out there”
One thing to look out for this year is how the second period goes. In the last couple years, for some weird reason the Hawks struggled in a period (3rd period last year). The Hawks still haven’t scored in the 2nd Period but, hey, 4-0-1 is nothing to scoff at.
Like ER said, Versteeg is still an asset if he limits the stupid parts of his game. So far this year, he has played like the Steeger of old. Also, it’s not like Morin is firing on all cylinders and threatening to steal his lineup spot. Like Rufus said, he hasnt been too impressive this year.
Biggest improvement in Rannta’s game is better concentration. Last year he seemed to lose focus at times and drift away to another place. Steeger missed a couple of quality feeds from Kane as was duly noted by Q. Morin has to either unseat either Carcillo or Steeger if he wants to play- not a small task. Most other teams would be happy to get Morin, He has done all he could do at Rockford. Play ’em or trade ’em maybe he is the injury insurance policy.
C’mon Rufus, a new low just 5 games into the season? Yes, its wrong to do so just to hope the roster becomes ”Fly compliant”, and assures that the city has a Cup parade.
Plus you assured us on many occasions the Blues were bound for glory last year. Who will forget that last pronouncement as StL was up 2-0 in rd.1 ? Only to lose 4 straight to Chicago, who only wanted to start their off season asap.
Wishing injury is just mindless. I know you aren’t stupid, so why play the part? You’re better than that.
Theres nothing wrong with keeping all of our depth FW (13/11/12, etc.). Tab is right about us having to trade/waivers one (5?) on the 23man before we can add 86 (even though we have .750). By keeping that .750 cushion/with current 23man we will have around 3m at deadline, so we can add a good D man there for picks/prospect. Its always good to have more.
Last night was by far and way the best hockey the hawks have played. The power play was really active and had a lot of interesting looks. It was nice to see a lot of good opportunities for the pp. Pk was strong too and looked solid. All 4 lines were going strong. Saad was a great addition to the third line and energized Bickel and Richards. Versteeg looked like he had nice chemistry with Shaw and Kaner. He looked better than Saad in that line. I don’t love carbomb but he suckered a couple penalties from the flyers. I think Q was right on target when he complimented all phases of the game. All three defensive pairings looked solid. TVR is not as flashy as Leddy but probably more consistent which Q likes. This was one of the Hawks best efforts in a while and by far away the best game they played this year. Honestly I didn’t see much they could have improved on. If they can keep this up they will be one of the top teams going into the playoffs.