On Seabrook’s Big Night Blackhawks End Losing Streak
On Wednesday the Blackhawks called up Dylan Sikura and Carl Dahlström.
Is that all it took?
For the first time in 11 games, the Blackhawks scored the first goal in a game. And it was a fourth line goal as Andreas Martinsen was credited with his first of the season.
Dahlström and Marcus Kruger picked up assists on Chicago’s enormous first goal of the night.
If the Martinsen goal was lucky, Brent Seabrook’s goal three minutes later was the polar opposite. On the night he moved past Bobby Hull into second place all-time in games played for the Chicago Blackhawks, Seabrook fired a missile home to give the Blackhawks a – gasp! – two-goal lead.
Jonathan Toews was credited with the only assist on Seabrook’s fourth of the year.
After having a lead for 41 seconds over their previous 11 games, the Blackhawks suddenly had a two-goal advantage against a team in playoff position in the Eastern Conference.
Of course, not all good things last very long for these Blackhawks. Bryan Rust, who could have been the story of the night, scored his first of the night less than one minute after Seabrook’s goal to cut the lead in half.
Rust hadn’t scored in 21 games entering Wednesday night. He had one goal all year coming into the game.
But the opening period would come to a close with the Hawks holding a lead. The shots were 13 for both sides after 20 minutes but the Hawks had the lead.
Rust tied the game at 5:46 into the second period. Because of course.
Almost ten minutes later the Blackhawks got their first power play of the game and – gasp! – took advantage. Alex DeBrincat scored to take the lead once again.
Patrick Kane and Seabrook picked up helpers on the DeBrincat PPG.
Pittsburgh kept bringing it, however, and Corey Crawford hung on as long as he could. But inside the final minute of the second period Rust finished the second hat trick of his career to tie the game at three.
The Penguins out-shot the Hawks 17-8 in the second period and the game was tied heading to the third.
Which hilariously unlikely outcome would be completed: Rust winning a game by himself or the Hawks ending their losing streak?
Just under four minutes into the third, Marcus Kruger scored what would prove to be the game-winning goal.
Because of course.
Martinsen and Duncan Keith had the assists on Kruger’s fourth of the year. Chicago’s fourth line had a huge night, bringing energy and – most importantly – production that the team desperately needed.
Crawford kept making huge saves and the Hawks were able to pull away in the final minutes. Toews and Brandon Saad both scored into an empty net to close the books on a stunning 6-3 victory on home ice for the Blackhawks.
With a goal and an assist tonight, that's 700 points for @JonathanToews!#OCaptain pic.twitter.com/gFOfLZFtNk
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) December 13, 2018
Dahlström was noticeable from the jump. He put three shots on net, picked up an assist and was credited with one hit in 22:34 on the ice in his first NHL game of the season. Only Keith and Seabrook were on the ice longer on Wednesday night.
His performance is an aggravating reminder that this kid could have been here all season, but the Hawks have been playing Jan Rutta, Brandon Manning and Brendan Davidson instead.
Toews led the Hawks with three points (one goal, two assists). He also won nine of 20 faceoffs and was a team-high plus-three in the game. Dylan Strome won eight of 18 faceoffs and skated 65 seconds more than Toews in the game.
Saad was also plus-three in the game and had two points. Kruger, Martinsen and Seabrook also had two-point nights.
The only Chicago forwards to skate over 20 minutes in the game were Kane and DeBrincat. Sikura was limited to 9:33 in his first NHL action of the season as coach Jeremy Colliton shortened his bench with a lead in the third period.
Big win for the hawks getting production the 4th line and crawford playing were the keys. Getting a lead for once was big. Lets see if they can build on it
I’ve seen it all now, Martinsen first star and Kruger second star. Fool’s gold. They both still suck and I hope they keep playing well — especially Kruger — so they can get traded.
Dahlstrom was highly competent. You didn’t notice him, that equals highly competent. Manning remains a turnover machine. Forsling should remain on the bench once he is healthy again. Hillman is equally competent as Dahlstrom.
Stanley Cup here we come.
Tab and Iceman… gotta agree- Dahlstrom was highly competent… He is not gonna wow u… but took guys off the puck around the boards… stayed with his man… and I said this several times in past- when watching him in Rockford… has a good sense /ability to pinch and join rush (kinda like TvR – used to) even though Dahlstom (and TvR) are not speedy skaters… just good hockey IQ’s
really sad- Dahlstrom- was “seasoning” in Rockford all year- while others played here… kid is ok
Also- Murphy has been pretty solid so far… one of few Hawks who will actually chop down O guys around Crow’s net
Kampf- gets “closing ” time with Saad and Toews… shows what Colliton thinks of Kampf… I am Kampf fan too
Iceman you and many others that frequent this site are Fuck Tards. Martinsen is one of the best forwards we have. He is the hardest on the puck and currently is the ONLY forward that has the other teams attention when he is on the ice. Every opposing player knows where he is because they don’t want to be hit by him.
Martinsen would be a better top line forward than Buff or Bick was. Unless we plan to keep 40 16 29 together on the a line I would love to see 29 get top line mins. He would be much better than Kahun with Toews and Saad.
Martinsen is a beast and wouldn’t play nearly as robotic/ mechanical if the coaching staff would have confidence in him. Plus the bottom line is that Martinsen is a guy that will keep the “Flies off the Honey” so it is about damn time he starts skating top 2 lines so that he can do that and protect Toews and Kane.
A good win, but Crawford had to be stellar. A lot of those shots were great opportunities for the Pens. The Hawks started off much better and you didn’t have that feeling like in most of the games that an opponent goal was inevitable at any moment. Seabs was directly responsible for two of Rust’s goals. It is good that he had some offense to offset them but sometimes Seabs is painful to watch. The 4th line was the feel good story of the night. Like Iceman said, it is probably fleeting but let’s enjoy it for one game. Agree that Dahlstrom was solid. Am losing confidence in Kahun. He seems to have a case of Schmaltzitis where he loves to make pretty cross ice passes that have low odds of succeeding. Was glad to see DeBrincat get one on the PP and also get off some solid wristers. The second Hawks PP was poor. They did have some solid PKs and on one they also applied some offensive pressure. This is probably not the beginning of a winning streak but it still feels good……………..and different.
Ryan, call me names all you want. Martinsen played a good game tonight, whoopee. It’s one game. You’re going to compare him to vintage Buff & Bickel that is an utter joke. Let’s see him play consistently like tonight for the rest of the season and then I will apologize. You think all of a sudden he is going to turn into a 15-30 goal scoring power forward, then pass along what you are smoking or medicine you have so I can feel good too.
Martinsen has beautiful hair and seems like a nice guy, that’s about the extent of it. He was directly responsible for two of the goals at the last home game that the Hawks lost by a goal. He takes dumb penalties b/c he is awkward from time-to-time. If Bowman was able to get a 3rd round pick for Bollig after giving him a 3 year contract and making him a millionaire, maybe he can do the same w/ Martinsen, sign him long term like that and trade him. I’m in.
Thanks.
Were on a 8 game losing streak.
PIT playing good/for them in last 10 games or so.
PIT has a 8 game losing streak to the Blackhawks.
PIT has a 9 game losing streak to the Blackhawks.
Since the Flatlander orpik cheap shot hit Tazer against the boards, we own them.
Dynasty agasint other top teams in this decade/LA1314 BOS13
Sneak two Cups in when league is waterdowned by salary cap. (Bookend)
9 game win streak against PIT.
Not a coincidence.
You lost me when you said Martinsen would be a better top liner than Buff.
Nice milestone for Seabrook as well as for Keith/Seabrook playing 1,000 games together. Nice goal for Seabrook tonight too.
OK, now that we have the niceties accounted for, let’s deal some harsh reality about good ole #7 – he basically assisted on Rust’s hatrick. Seabrook was terrible tonight with bad basses, turnovers, lousy/slow coverage and then the kicker with the deflection on Rust’s 3rd goal. I’m about to the point where I think if Stan can find a trade partner for Seabrook if the Hawks retain 50% of Seabrook’s cap hit – I say do it. Carrying half of Seabrook’s Cap ($3.4M) for 5 more years would be worth it just to get him off the ice. I love Seabrook and what he’s meant over the past decade but he hurts the team more than helps it now.
It was nice to see a much better effort tonight, and it was fun to see the boys get a win. Heckuva goal by DCat and I don’t think Strome got a point but I like what I’ve seen from him so far. Schmaltz is more dynamic but I think Strome is a better player considering all aspects of the game – most notably compete level. Yeah he isn’t going to win many quick/fast races but he’s not nearly as god-awful as I though he was going to be.
Nice to see Kunitz not playing .
He should have to play for them. That’s where he belongs.
Seabs was not on the ice for Pens first goal Raptor so stop with the negative bashing .
Yeah and Schmaltz is so dynamic he played his ass off this piss poor team . Bout time we had some net front presents and pressure .
Really Mo …you think Kunitz has a place on this team ? Smoke another one .
Dahlstrom looks like a much different player under Colliton than Quenneville. Confident, big, jumps into the rush, shoots the puck.
Murphy as well looks like a different player under Colliton, much more aggressive and confident. It’s a shame he did not bury that prime chance in the third period from about 15 feet out.
Sikura looked like he was in AHL mode. He’s dangerous at that level and dangles beautifully. But he looked like when he got the puck against the Pens, he was eager to get rid of it. Big difference. Keep playing him. He will assuredly get better.
Did I see Perlini take the puck to the net hard with speed. They need to show him the video repeatedly and reinforce that this is the player they need him to be.
Finally won a game, now do it again. Like seeing the young guys in there. Find who be around after this year. Agree on the net front presence, being needed. Top 3 lines don’t go there near enough. Pens had more scoring chances and dangerous chances, Crawford stole the win. Hopefully a confidence booster.
A very nice effort tonight. Good to see the guys enjoy the final score on the ice. They looked like little kids that won a championship.
Murphy helps a bunch – no doubt in my mind. Dahlstrom was as good as I hoped he would be for his first game back. Joki stayed out of trouble tonight. Seabrook had a tough defensive night – obviously. But when 7 is fighting to avoid turning the puck over outside the blue line, which he eventually did, Manning needs to get his butt back in the defensive zone, not stand around watching the play. We have 3 forwards out there capable of supervising a turnover. Manning’s responsibility is to be BEHIND the puck when his partner is being pressured. I don’t excuse the turnover by 7 (nor would he), but Manning stayed out of position, which added to the error. That’s mental – those errors cannot be tolerated for long.
I’m not sold on Sikura. He just doesn’t impress me. Had a blah camp and a blah game tonight. Hopefully he picks it up – there are a lot of people here that seem to think he will make it in the NHL. I look forward to seeing that type of play from him.
Leave the 4th line alone. We need the energy they provide every game.
Malkin getting the accidental head shot felt a bit like Karma to me… I wonder if Crow chuckled. I know I did.
Ebony, great post. Seabrook has been killing us in our zone all year. Lackadaisical, and sloppy. I have no problem with him sitting, might need a wake up call.
Last shot at Kunitz, do we have to put him in the press box? He should be told to stay in the car or bus, and charged with theft on that contract.
Huzzah!
A win is a win. Thank Jah (And Crawford) for a win. And I agree with others here that Dahlstrom was at least, OK.
It’s kind of funny to see guys talking about “taking people off the puck”, “checking”, “going to the net, hard” and “protecting Crow”…….it’s amazing that when you get down to it, the basics of the game make a team more productive AND victorious. I still say that Martinsen and Hayden are valuable pieces that are necessary on this team. You need to be tough on the boards and in front of the net.
Let’s see what we can do against the Jets.
Ebony- Re: #7- thanks for telling it like it is!!!
Only gonna get slower… basically he is Sopel (at 38 with a better shot)… and Honestly- Sopel turned it over less
I’m glad they won a game the room will loosen up a bit —
I have no trouble with Martinsen playing 4th line minutes-he shows up and gets involved–(and his skating for a big guy isn’t lumbering)
As I mentioned 7 playing back to back is asking for trouble-need to manage his play-sad but true. People aren’t picking on Seabrook-it’s painfully obvious even to non NHL eyes.
It will be fun when D-Cat and Strome find the other winger that works on that line. Big, quick and talented–perhaps in this years draft or Entwistle in two years who may end up 15/20 pounds bigger than he is. (he is a right shot but that isn’t a stopper-D-Cat can move back and forth to get some one timers)
Seabrook is not the reason this team is bad. He played 2nd most games in a Blackhawks uniform and busted his butt to bring 3 cups back. When the supporting cast is there and team is strong again if he is not cutting it, do something then. He is a solid veteran leader thats needed right now. Bashing him is constantly is just classless.
We need another Schmaltz type of trade to make this season bearable. I think both Strome and Perlini are starting to find their game and role within this team. I particularly like Strome. It would be nice to get Hillman, Dahlstrom, Forsling, Jokiharju, and Murphy playing in front of Crawford. I am OK with trading the rest of the defensive crew for picks. I think Gustafson has some trade value too! Manning, not so much!
Classless? Yeah, maybe I am – I just express my thoughts without too much filter. I think being critical of the current situation does not take away from things done in the past. Seabrook was invaluable in the Hawks winning 3 Cups and Hawks fans are forever indebted to him and the other core players for giving us more than we could have hoped for. But the reality of professional sports is not what did you do yesterday – it’s what can you do for me today, and Seabrook can’t do what he’s being paid to do anymore.
I’m a sentimental guy by nature – I really am. But I also want my favorite team to be good again. It has gotten to the point where those things are not compatible. Giving Seabrook a long term $6.8M contract was wonderful from a sentimental “thanks for the memories” perspective but it is counter to making the Hawks into a contender again because he can’t play anywhere close to a $6.8M d-man.
If that’s being too negative, especially after a win, too bad. It’s my opinion.
I loved Seabrook back in the day but he is a liability last few years and regressing rapidly..
Dahlstrom and Murphy a big help, 4th line looked great obviously, and Strome is a better player to have on the team than Schmaltz, mostly cus it’s hard to spell Schm…, and he is also scared of getting hit, as Seabrook is now as well, no doubt protecting his noggin which has been concussed repeatedly.
Agree Seabs had a very tough night and while Ian I agree constant Seabs bashing is inappropriate sitting him a game to re-focus is not – a lot of his mistakes are mental
Dahlstrom was more than Ok – agree with Tab and others that he was immediately noticeable as an upgrade over at least Manning and Rutta and at least for last night’s game over Seas and Joki as well. They need to find a way to keep him here if his play stays at the level he showed last night.
Sikura was not as impactful – he’ll probably go back to AHL once AA is healthy unless he goes on a tear. I still think he’ll be a useful player in the NHL eventually
Best part of last night was they competed from the start and for the whole game (and they scored a PP goal) – that’s all you can ask – they’re still gonna lose a lot because they’re either young or not talented enough but if the effort is there then that’s ok – there will be better days ahead (sometime)
No Duncan Keith, no Seabrook and the Hawks run from 2008-2015 would not have happened. Those guys were rocks on the back line along with Hammer. Players get older and gradually lose their effectiveness. Seabrook and Keith are in serious decline, especially Seabrook who was never a dazzling skater even in his prime. He can’t make plays because his feet don’t get him where he wants to go. Today’s NHL features lots of really fast guys, so slower guys like Seabs get torched. The problem of course is that the Seabrook albatross contract doesn’t allow him to age gracefully and move quietly into retirement. Seabs was rewarded for past achievements not future potential. This sentimental mistake by SB has been crippling roster changes due to the cap at a time when retooling on the fly could have made this team more competitive instead of simply free falling off the ledge.
The game last night featured a better motivated Hawks team that came out and played with some discipline and energy for a change in the 1st, and they somehow put up a 2 goal lead that felt really strange to experience since it has been so long that we have seen that happen. Despite my criticism of Seabs, he sure caught that slap shot be buried. More please…
What did not change though was the defensive coverage that continues to allow opposing teams to simply tee off uncontested at out keepers from point blank range. IMO Crow was the # 1 star last night. Numerous miraculous saves. Same with Ward against the Jets the night before. Both games without stellar goaltending and the Hawks get blown out big time.
I thought Dahlstrom looked like a different player than when I last saw him play an NHL game. He appears to more confident and his gaps are much improved. As noted by other posters, Dahlstrom was not highly noticeable, and for d men that means they are usually doing their jobs. Both he and Murphy were also willing to play the body instead of this touchy feely stick check crap that has personified Blackhawks defense now for too many years. That was the good news. Manning is simply a mistake. Joki is still a kid learning the ropes, and Rutta is too often out of position.
Sikura needs a few games to get comfortable. I thought Strome and Perlini were better last night. Nice rush BTW by Perlini. Good skater, and he has some strength on the puck. Martinsen has a role to play and should be used accordingly. He and Hayden are the beef up front in this otherwise not so physical lineup. They both need to play a tough physical game, get to the net, and if they can chip in a goal here or there it’s a bonus.
Get the special teams better. That is where most games are won and lost, and a big reason why Hawks record is so dismal thus far.
Big, fast Jets in tomorrow. Hawks better be ready to play 60 minutes.
Lots and lots of Pens fans as well as casual hockey tourists at the game last night.
Let’s Go Hawks!
2-7
63-5
42-28
*
Not great. Not even good. But maybe it’s something. It’s better than that mess that has been thrown out there night after night. If Forsling could step up and Dahlstrom lasts it might provide enough stability to allow us to compete. We will still lose more than we win, but at least we might be able to stay in most games and scrap, chip away, build a little confidence, belief for the future. As for Stan’s big haul (23, 44, 56) just give them away to purge them from the books. Any draft pick for any of them would be a bonus.
Ian- of course it is NOT all on Seabs… but ER- puts it well … He is not playing close to that Cap hit…. and like I said… Sopel at $2M or less is/was way better value than Seabs at $7M today!!! imo
It is a Team Game… Just like – Crow- is not playing nearly as bad as his numbers might say… the TEAM has been that bad…
and I always- suggested Crow- wasn’t the 2nd coming in past Cup Runs (The TEAM was that great)… but always took a lot of shit for it… but I guess my views from past– are somewhat being vindicated now (or at least should be-imo)
Let’s put salary and history aside for a minute and construct what should be happening. 2 & 7 should be the third pairing based on current skill and performance. 2 should get pk time while 7 gets pp time. These two are a couple of my favorites over the dynasty era but that’s what they are today. Neither should be seeing 20+min nights and they should get an occasional game off.
Not sure that the combo of 5, 63, 21, 28 and any others can handle top 4 roles/min but I am saying that expecting 2&7 to at this point in their careers is a bit much.
Let me try a kinder gentler approach.
First, it isn’t Seabrook’s “fault” he is overpaid – it’s Stan’s fault for choosing to pay for yesterday instead of for tomorrow. If my boss came to me and said I’m going to give you a raise three times what you’re worth – I’d probably say OK – wouldn’t you?
Extenuating circumstances sometimes matter and playing back to back games probably had an effect on Seabrook’s game last night where he was worse than he “normally” is. Maybe he needs his minutes reduced or he doesn’t play back to back.
The comment that Keith should play PK (but not PP) and Seabrook should play PP (but not PK) is spot on in my opinion. Dealing with reality is the best approach and since the Hawks are stuck with Seabrook’s $6.8M cap hit – at least make the best of what is possible which includes his shot on the PP and as little else as possible.
Wow Ian classless? We’ve seen that on this site-realistic opinions aren’t classless, it’s raw and honest. He makes 7 million, and is a big boy. Once was an exceptional player. Sit him on occasion and reduce his minutes.
Hawktalk, take her easy. I said he belongs on PIT not our team. I donot want that fucking penguin in our organization.
Cincod1 put it well, Keith and Seabs are being asked to slot above their abilities at this point in their careers because the Hawks have drafted and developed ZERO NHL defensemen that play for the team between Hammer and Joki this year. Zero. That is the problem.
I think it’s funny people blame Seabs for the deflected goal. He was playing the pass in that case preventing a pass to the front of the goal area, which is what he should have been doing. It deflected off his stick and off Crawford’s shoulder and went in. Rust had a golden horseshoe stuck up his ass all night. He couldn’t do that again if he tried 1000 times. Fluke goal.
Agree with the salary for previous yrs and how good you should/prob be during that yrs contract.
Thing is how many yrs were player getting underpaid before they were up for next contract. There’s not two sides to it, there’s some yrs before the next contract kicks in, the player deserved more for those yrs. doesn’t balance out but that should be factored in.
Also there isint a perfect 23man for who is worth their caphit. There will always be a couple/few that are off there ‘deserved’ caphit and prob some getting less while playing/being better then their elf or bridges.
Agree with both.
Agree on the 3rd Pens goal deflected off Seabs was just bad luck but that goal where he turned the puck over at his own blue line with a lazy ass pass then chased it and then got beat sending the PIT player in for a clean look at Crow and then Rust deposited the rebound into the net was way too typical of what Seabrook has been doing lately
make a good hard pass and if it gets intercepted don’t chase it – know your limitations – he should know better than that – he can’t get back in time if he gets caught which he did last night and virtually every night there is a similar play to that not always leading to an opposition goal but too often it does
he can still be effective if he plays smart and within his limitations
Rutta on waivers
I guess Stan reads this blog!
Did anyone else think the call ups could have potentially been for a team to see what those 2 are at the NHL level before making a bigger trade? Not necessarily for an impact player, but to possibly make someone else’s more palatable.
Sikura, in all honesty doesn’t do much for me. I got grilled for suggesting you trade him to rid the team of the Manning contract. He’ll be 24, he had 2 different regimes pass him over for younger players. Colliton had the kid in Rockford and didn’t have any real rave reviews. He may be the best forward prospect they have in Rockford, but that’s not saying much.
They do have people reading the blogs.
Prob pay attention to this one the most. It’s the best (and second city).
Trades coming.
Wow, that is a desperate love affair when people are high on Martinson playing 1st line minutes after a Hawk win. Starting to sound like Bowman mania selling you Dale Kunitz, Manning, Davidson, Rutta, Runblad, Strome, Perlini, Kahun, Sikura, Ward, Bouma, Franson, Weise, Fleishmann, Baun, Kampf, Tootoo, etc…, Stop the nonsense. Who cares about a 4th line career AHLer who is 29 years old!!! All we have are our usual stars in 19, 20, 88, 2, 7, 50 plus maybe DeBrincat and Joki (if both can toughen up).
Easy, this team lacks talent…The stars show up but our talent depth in bottom 6 forwards and bottom 3 dmen is bad.
Fire Bowman.
wow how about that Toews interview with Pierre last night. I’ve watched many Toews interviews this season; maybe more than season (not playoff) past in a single season. Recently Toews has had a look on his face translating as “enough of this interview”. I was really hoping sooner or later he would just blow up in some way. It would have been nice if this was the moment.
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
see if this link posts I guess.
After the first cup in 10 Bowman chose to keep 7 and let Buff go , it was worse than the Panarin trade
It is not blasphemy to say that Seabrook is finished. He’s slow and makes a lot of mistakes inside his own blue line. The game has passed him by…literally.
All Committed Indians followers, we can agree Hawks have issues at various positions. We have to acknowledge both contributions and deficiencies, but we don’t have any power to change the roster, which is solely controlled by upper management. It is necessary that they do the right changes for the future betterment of the team. Bowman shouldn’t be allowed carte blanche for future trades nor draft,as he has failed recently,with the exception of DeBrincat. Wirtz needs to bring in a evaluater of talent in both draft and current NHLERS. This is not an easy fix but they can’t make knee jerk reactions for possible help and lose draft choices. This next draft should solely concentrate on forwards, with possibly a defender if stats prove their potential.
“Bowman chose to keep 7 and let Buff go , it was worse than the Panarin trade” is top 5 all-time revisionist history bullshit. Amazing. Print that and hang it on your Christmas tree because I almost threw up reading that magic nugget of garbage.
Seabrook is looking bad, so less playing time and some games off could help. I still think he was an absolute warrior and stud for all those cups and should get pp time cause he has a great shot. The contract looks stupid now but at the time he was untouchable. The contract is just too long and too expensive.