Following two straight losses on their recent trip out East, the Blackhawks returned home on Saturday night to face a familiar division foe in the Columbus Blue Jackets. Saturday also marked the return of Brandon Saad to the United Center for the first time since his trade to Lumbus. This was a matchup that featured offensive struggles of late for the Blackhawks, and season long defensive/goaltending struggles for the Jackets. All in all, it was setting up as one of those infamous "frustration" games for the Blackhawks.
Despite the distraction of another Chicago team playing catch on Saturday night, the Blackhawks game got underway as scheduled, much to the delight of puckheads. There wasn't much to get thrilled about earlier on. Andrew Desjardins had the best chance to put the Hawks ahead, but old Stone Hands couldn't convert. Other than a standing ovation for Brandon Saad during a tv timeout, the first period was a complete bore and the game would end up being scoreless after 20 minutes of play.
As the second period got underway, the play continued to be much of the same as the first period early on. The best chances for the Blackhawks in the first 10 minutes of the 2nd came from Kane and Panarin. As is the case when the Blackhawks face a backup goalie, both were denied following great saves by Curtis McElhinney. The final 10 minutes of the period would feature the Blackhawks we've become accustom to. Anisimov put the Hawks on the board first following a great pass from Panarin. The just 65 seconds after Anisimov's tally, Teravainen, this time on the power play, increased the Hawks lead to two. After 40 minutes of play, the Hawks would lead the Jackets 2-0.
As the third period got underway, it was quite clear the Blackhawks would carry over the momentum from the second into the third period. Marian Hossa would continue the scoring for the Hawks as he opened the 3rd period scoring on a great individual effort on the power play. The Blue Jackets however would break Corey Crawford's shutout bid, as a point shot from Jack Johnson beat Crawford with just under 4 minutes remaining. Patrick Kane would reluctantly add an empty netter, after he wanted to give up the puck to Panarin, to increase the Hawks lead to 4-1. The game wouldn't end without some frustration boiling over for the Blue Jackets. In a scrum in the corner, Mr. Tough Guy, Kerby Rychel punched Teravainen twice, only to them receive a mouthful of fists from TVR. When the horn finally sounded the Hawks handed the Blue Jackets their 6th straight loss en route to a 4-1 win.
- Not often do we give credit to others here, but Curtis McElhinney made two fantastic saves early in the second period. The first was a glove save on a Kane wrist shot, and second was a stoning of Panarin on a breakaway.
- The AK-72 line is really fun to watch when their passing is on. Tonight was another example with Panarin's dish to Anisimov.
- The Blackhawks dominated the final 10 minutes of the 2nd period. In total they out shot the Blue Jackets 15-3.
- Marian Hossa is a beast. His individual effort on his power play goal was remarkable to see. Its hard to say Hossa has lost a step after seeing that.
- Even though he didn't get the shutout Corey Crawford had a strong game in net, making 22 saves.
- The power play started off slow, but rebounded nicely to end the night 2 for 5. That's something to build off of.
- Vincent Hinostroza had a nice night in his NHL debut. He kept things simple, and had a few chances.
- Thank you TVR for jumping in and standing up for Teravainen after Rychel wanted to go after the Hawks enforcer.
- The Blackhawks took two penalties in the first period. Thankfully the penalty kill bailed them out.
- For the first 30 minutes, this game was extremely painful to watch.
- Apparently Ryan Garbutt played tonight. I didn't hear his name once until that scrum in the final minute.
- This was the second straight game Desjardins had a golden opportunity to get on the scoreboard, but couldn't convert. I like his play as a role player, but when the team is struggling to score goals, you need to bury these opportunities.
- The Columbus Blue Jackets are not a good hockey team right now. I expected a lot more out of them, and its clear they are cracking under the pressure of elevated expectations.