Blackhawks Week That Was - 12/20

12/14 - Blackhawks at Toronto - 7-2 Loss

• Two more powerplay goals against in this one. The Hawks bit themselves in the ass, in the first period, with three straight first period penalties.
  
• Joffrey Lupul and Mason Raymond each had four points, which should just about tell the story
  
• Antti Raanta didn't get much help, but he didn't help himself either. Kent Simpson came in and gave up a goal on his first shot against, just 28 seconds into his first NHL period.
  
• Duncan Keith had a rough night. He was a minus four and looked completely uninterested, at times.
  
• As bad as the Hawks played, they won 53% of their faceoffs.
  
• The Toronto official scorer claims there were 75 (30 to 45) total hits, which I cannot fathom.
  
• Under the radar, Pat Kane had 2 goals on 8 shots while playing the second most TOI for the entire Blackhawks team.
  

Here are the video highlights:

12/15 - Blackhawks vs Kings - 12/15

• The Hawks had an excellent first period, opening up a 3-0 lead with a shorthanded goal, a power play goal, and an even strength goal. Three first period goals would have told the story of a possible rout, but that wasn't to be. The Hawks were shutout the rest of the way.
  
• Sheldon Brookbank at forward makes me very stabby.
  
• Raanta rebounded nicely from the thrashing he took in Toronto, the previous night, with 21 saves. He had an excellent save in the second period on Kopitar that made the highlight reels. Unfortunately the kid is snake bitten as far as shutouts go. He may just be that guy that will always give up at least one, but he's not too shabby, otherwise.
  
• Dan Carcillo was a plus 1 in his 11:53 of TOI. So there is that, LA.
  
• The Hossa shorthanded goal was all Toews. He pressured Jake Muzzin, who coughed the puck up, and dished to Hossa for an easy one timer. Nice to see Kopitar getting back to cover Hossa...oh wait.
  
• The Sharp powerplay stroke was set up by some great patience from Toews. He drew 3 defenders, and dished to a wide open Shooter. Two apples and 77% at the dots for El Capitan.
  

Here are the video highlights:

12/17 - Blackhawks at Nashville -

• How in the hell do the Hawks get some many faceoff violation penalties? A minute and a half into the game, no less. Literally TWO SECONDS after taking a 1-0 lead. Consequently, the Blackhawks had their worst game of the season at the dots. THIRTY SIX percent. OVERALL! Everyone, but Kruger, was cock whipped at the faecoff dots.
  
• If Shea Weber DOESN'T score from that spot, on the powerplay...well...yeah.
  
• Kane's roof shot on Hutton was just absolutely sickening. He was less than ten feet from Hutton and roofed a backhand over Hutton's left shoulder. How do you even prepare for that? As a goalie, you have to just shrug your shoulders, because it's impossible to see that coming.
  
• Raanta continued to show that he's capable of, at least, the backup position. He saw as many powerplay shots as he did even strength ones. Let's hope they can somehow bury Khabibulin on long term IR.
  
• As "clown shoes" as the powerplay was all last year, the Hawks role reversal has been unexplainable. The penalty kill has been absolutely horrid, and the penalty kill has been money in the bank. Third in the entire league behind the Pens and Caps. The PK, well, third worst behind the Panthers and Isles. Quite honestly, I'd rather it be the other way around.
  

Here are the video highlights:

12/20 - Blackhawks vs Canucks - 3-2 Shootout Loss

• Antti Raanta and Eddie Lack both had tremendous games. Even though the shot totals were low, there were several quality chances. Both deserved the win, and none of the goals cleanly beat the goalies. When it looked like the Canucks were going to eat Raanta alive, in the shootout, he shut the door for six straight shooters.
  
• Crazy 8s continues his red hot play, with a goal and assist, leaving him three points behind Sid for the league lead.
  
• The Hawks opened up a 2 goal lead in the second period, and proceeded to blow it.
  
• Both teams were 0-4 on the powerplay, which was a little surprising.
  
• The Canucks Zac Dalpe played a game low 3:14 but still got a chance in the shootout.
  
• Henrick Sedin absolutely sucks in shootouts.
  
• The Hawks were 49% at the dots which isn't terrible, but isn't great either.
  
• The Blackhawks absolutely HAVE to score more than one in eight shootout chances.
  
• It won't show on the score sheet, but Ben Smith had a great night. His drive to the net late in the second was really nice.
  

Here are the video highlights: