by Patrick Stankus
Send a McRib to #Fatrick
After escaping Minnesota with two points on Wednesday night, the Blackhawks jumped over the wall and into Canada on Friday night to take on the Jets. Since the All-Star break, the Hawks have found a little bit of a groove of late, after a loss in San Jose to open the annual Ice Show Trip. Winners of their last three, two of which were against divisional opponents, the Hawks faced another division foe in the Jets tonight. With Friday being the first of a back to back, Corey Crawford got the nod in net for the Hawks, looking to improve on his recent resurgence following his appendectomy in December.
In what's become a nice change of late, the Hawks once again came out of the gate strong to start the game. It also doesn't hurt when your opponent takes two penalties in the opening ten minutes. Nothing like killing the momentum of the home crowd. Nevertheless, the Hawks took advantage of the Jets mistakes, and peppered the net with sixteen shots in the opening period. Despite going scoreless on those two power play opportunities, it was the Hawks who found the net first. With the minutes winding down, the #AK72Line put the Hawks ahead on a beautiful one timer from Panarin to Kane to head into the first intermission with a 1-0 lead.
As good of a start the Hawks had in the first period, the second period was nothing like that. The Jets capitalized on the sluggish Hawks, and tied the game in the first two minutes of the second period. As the period went on, the Hawks eventually found their legs and their pace they had to open the game. Just past the midway point of the game, the #AK72Line struck again. This time it was a reverse of the one timer in the first period. Kane fed the puck to Panarin, who teed one up, but was denied. Unfortunately for the Jets, Anisimov had his ass parked in front of the Jets net, and put home the rebound to give the Hawks their lead back. Down the stretch the Jets had a couple of chances to tie the game, but Corey Crawford stood tall, and once again, the Hawks took a one goal lead into the intermission.
In the third period, both teams clamped down on the opportunities in the first half of the period and a defensive struggle ensued. That style of play changed in the second half of the period. With third period meltdowns being a theme this season for the Hawks, it looked like we were going to be treated to another tonight. With just over six minutes remaining, Niklas Hjalmarsson opened the door for the Jets by taking a penalty. Luckily for Hammer, the penalty kill came through and preserved the Hawks lead. In the final three minutes all scoring hell broke loose. Duncan Keith put the Hawks up by two with a bomb from the blueline to make it a 3-1 game. Marian Hossa and Artemi Panarin added empty netters for good measure to even out a late Jets goal, and sent the Hawks out of Winnipeg winners by the score of 5-2.
- The Hawks opening goal was a thing of beauty. An active stick by Anisimov caused a turnover by Blake Wheeler, and opened the door for a perfect one timer from Panarin to Kane.
- Dirty goals have always been hard to come by for the Hawks, but Artem Anisimov continues to show how to get it done. He was right there on the doorstep to hammer home a Panarin rebound for the Hawks second goal.
- How many times has it been said? "Good things happen when you shoot the puck on net? Duncan Keith's third period goal was further proof of that. You don't need fancy stats to tell you that. Keep it simple and good things happen.
- Marian Hossa reached the 20 goal plateau with his third period empty net goal, which came shorthanded. Aren't you glad his play is declining this year?
- Niklas Hjalmarsson was a +5 tonight! You heard right, a +5. That's about as many Pearl Jam songs were tortured into hearing at the United Center.
- Speaking of Hjalmarsson, he and Seabrook had six blocks each. I'm putting this in there because I know how much the Tortorella style of coaching bothers some people.
- The #AK72Line had themselves a night. They had seven points between. All three players had a goal, while Kane and Anisimov each added an assist, while Panarin added two helpers.
- Corey Crawford had a solid night in net. He made twenty-eight saves on thirty shots.
- For awhile this game was looking like would be a frustrating goalie loss for the Hawks. For the most part Connor Hellebuyck was good in net for the Jets, much like Mr. Full Right has been in the past for the Jets against the Hawks.
- Following Hossa's empty netter, the Hawks took their foot off the gas, and the Jets cut the lead back down to two.
- As you know, I'm very critical of Michal Kempny when the time is right, and come to the defense of TVR when needed. Tonight, I can't defend TVR. I'm still trying to figure out what the hell he was doing on Bryan Little's goal.
- The forwards of the Jets had a rough night. Most notably were Blake Wheeler (-3), and Patrik Laine (-2).
- The Jet though that takes the cake (literally) is old Stay Puft Buff himself, Dustin Byfuglien. That fatso was a -5 on the night. As Gate would say....... WOOF!
