Ten games remaining, and the Blackhawks are already assured a playoff spot. Not too shabby for a team that was thought to be in the middle of the pack, eh? Anyhow, The Hawks travelled to the snowy tundra of Minnyhaha, to face the 6th place Wild, Tuesday night. The Wild have gotten hot, lately, winning six of their last ten games. Shiny free agent toys Zach Parise and Ryan Suter have found their game, and have been carrying this team on their backs, along with trade deadline acquisition Jason Pominville lending a hand. The Wild were dealt a blow Monday, when it was announced that Danny Heatley would be out for the rest of the regular season, and could miss significant time in the playoffs, due to arthroscopic shoulder surgery. Ether way, the Blackhawks returned Patrick Sharp from his top secret separated shoulder, so the strong got stronger. Live from still wintery St. Paul Minnesota, it's the Blackhawks and the Wild...
The Blackhawks controlled a majority of the first period play, out shooting the Wild 11-4. Neither team managed a goal. We've seen this before, with the Hawks dominating early, while laying an egg later in the game. This was a good time to start working on their 60 minute play.
The Hawks actually kept the pressure in the second period, with 16 shots, compared to 10 Wild shots. Along with those 15 Blackhawks shots, they were able to manage a goal late in the period. This is where the Hawks have struggled, so a strong third period against a solid opponent on the road was an absolute must.
The Wild played a much better third period keeping the shots close. Minny actually even led with 6 to the Hawks 4 but, like the first period, theere were no goals. Despite a late Wild flurry, the Hawks walked away with a 1-0 road shutout. Good tuneup for playoff hockey.
- In his first shift, Shooter took advantage of a reaching Zach Parise and laid him out, deep in the Wild zone. That's a way to get the blood flowing and test the ol flipper in your first shift back.
- Finally some good from Gorilla Salad. He drove hard to the net looking for a rebound and Cementhead Mike Rupp roughed him up after the whistle. When everyone in the rink and on TV expected Carcillo to pull some dumb shit, he actually kept his head and drew a penalty. Maybe, JUST MAYBE, he's finally learned. ::grunt:: GRIT! SANDPAPER! ::slobber:: #MeatballStatus
- Clayton Stoner must have been high, because he tried a cross ice pass with Hossa bearing down. Hoss stepped in front of it, skated in all alone, took a half backswing and bet Backstrom for a 1-0 Blackhawks lead with just under five minutes remaining in the second period.
- Again, 31 to 20 in shots is right where the Hawks need to be. The third period drop offs are concerning, but if they are only allowing seven shots a period, I'll take it.
- Once again, the Hawks led a team in faceoff percentage against a team that is 4th overall in the league. If you think it's coincidence that Handzus playing for Bolland improves the faceoff percentage, you're wrong, even though this was Zus's first game under 50%. Sharp picked up the slack, taking a good portion of Kruger's faceoffs (for good reason). El Capitan, and Shooter were 68% and 67% respectively. Kruger and Shaw were brutal a the dots, going a combined 2 for 12.
- Sharp set up Kane for a half break-a-way in the third period, and Backstrom bested Kane. The pass was a blind backhand bank pass off the boards that landed right on Kane's stick. That Patrick to Patrick ESP is something that the Hawks will really need come playoffs.
- Emery wasn't peppered but came up big when he needed to. Third shutout of the year, in his third game in a row. You still can't convince me that there is enough evidence to remove Crawford as the starter, but Sugar Ray is certainly playing well. Crawford has done nothing to LOSE his job.
- The Hawks lost a chance at the lead about ten minutes into the game. A long shot took a funny bounce and hit Backstrom, but laid in the crease to his right while he was on his back like a two dolla whore. El Capitan and the crew crashed the net, but couldn't get it in the net before the ref lost site of the puck.
- Ryan Suter hit Sharp hard in the third period, and he fell awkwardly into the boards, hitting his left shoulder. He looked like he was in some pain. Purely speculation, but I wouldn't be surprised to see him take a day off here and there to make sure that shoulder is good to go. It was a bit scary to see him wincing on the bench.
