Blackhawks at Montreal3-1 Win Recap

"SUPERTZAR"

by Gatekeeper
Chirp at Gatekeeper

The Blackhawks limped into Montreal tonight after barely making it out of Toronto with a point, the previous night. This time around it was the Blackhawks that came out slow, but then picked up their game. Enough with the formalities, because I'm tired and worn out. Also, give a listen to the podcast I did with the Talkin Hawks guys after the game. Think of it as a special little bonus for this recap.


The Good

• Late in the first period, the Wonder Midget finally scored his first NHL goal. Nothing too flashy, just well placed one timer through a screen that eluded Carey Price. It’s about damn time.
• The Blackhawks weren’t finished in the first period, though. Nineteen seconds later, Brandon Saad finished a 3-on-2 with a slam dunk into a wide open net. Just that quickly, the Hawks went from down one to up by one.
• The Blackhawks extended their lead halfway through the second period just as the powerplay was ending. This, of course, almost didn’t happen when the Wonder Midget tried a fancy blind backhand pass to no one, which led to a shorthanded partial breakaway. Corey Crawford bailed the kid out, and Debrincat then assisted on an Artem Anisimov power play goal at the other end that Cody Franson also got an assist on.
• After a pretty lucky first period, the Blackhawks had a much better second period, scoring the only goal, on the powerplay and out shooting the home team 12-7.
• Corey Crawford once again displayed his absolute mastery of the Canadiens in Montreal. If not for Crawford, the Blackhawks don’t win this game. The title is all Corey Crawford.

The Bad

• In theory, the scoreboard said that the Blackhawks had a good first period, but the eye test says otherwise. All the advance metric categories also indicate that the Blackhawks got their butts kicked.
• As good as the second period was, the third was that bad. The Hawks were out shot 16-6 and relied solely on Crawford to keep them in the game.
• It also didn’t take long for the Quenneville shenanigans to begin. Halfway through the first period Lance Bouma got benched in favor of a double shifting Patrick Kane. By the third period the fourth and second lines had been all mixed up for good with Hayden/Wingels/Kane playing together, and Bouma/Anisimov/Hartman playing together.
• Debrincat’s bad turnovers didn’t stop in the second period. He turned one over in the third period as well, that led to another Habs break-a-way. It wasn’t all bad, because the kid hustled back to tie the Canadiens forward, Paul Byron, up enough that he never got the shot off.
• The Wonder Midget wasn’t the only player that had bad turnovers. Franson had a pretty egregious one, and Gustav Forsling was spun around like a top a few times. If you’re ok giving up these mistakes early, it’ll only make these players better for the late playoff push. I still think Debrincat and Forsling could use seasoning in Rockford, at some point.

The Ugly

• It only took the Blackhawks 1:15 to give up a terrible goal, when Ryan Hartman flubbed a pass and the puck ended up past Crawford. The Habs spent a majority of the rest of the period with the puck; until the final 2 minutes.

The Lineblender
Left Wing - Center - Right Wing
Brandon Saad - Jonathan Toews - Richard Panik
Ryan Hartman - Artem Anisimov - Patrick Kane
Patrick Sharp - Tanner Kero - Alex Debrincat
Lance Bouma - Tommy Wingels - John Hayden

Duncan Keith - Brent Seabrook
Michal Kempny - Cody Franson
Gustav Forsling - Jan Rutta

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Blackhawks at Canadiens 4-2 Win Recap

"And It Ain't So Bad" 

by Patrick Stankus
Send a McRib to #Fatrick

With the dog days of the regular season for a playoff bound team fully upon us, the Blackhawks traveled north of the border on Tuesday night to take on the Montreal Canadiens. The Hawks were coming off a big win at home on Sunday against the division leading Minnesota Wild. With both teams in action, there was a possibility the Hawks could leapfrog the Wild with a win and a Wild loss tonight. Prior to the game, the Hawks got some good news from the injury department, as Scott Darling was cleared to return..... to the bench. Anyway, lets get this Eastern Canada trip underway.

The first few minutes of the game was nothing more than two teams getting their legs under them, with a couple of chances here and there. Thankfully the pace of the game picked up as the period went on, otherwise we were all going to fall asleep. While the Habs peppered the Hawks net, all the Hawks could do on the offensive side was throw four shots at Carey Price. Despite only registering four shots, it was the Hawks who found themselves on top at the end of the period. Unfortunately, it all wasn't positive for the Hawks. As time wound down, Artem Anisimov had his leg rolled up on, and left the game.

In the second period, the Hawks looked much better. For much of the period, it was end to end action at a brisk pace. It was much more enjoyable than the opening twenty minutes. The Hawks did try to make it interesting. During the middle stage of the period, the Hawks managed to kill off two penalties to keep the Canadiens off the scoreboard. Between the Canadiens' power plays, the Hawks did manage to increase their lead to two, thanks to a goal by Johnny Oduya. Down the stretch, the Canadiens had a few great chances, but Corey Crawford was unbelievable, and the Hawks went to the intermission up by two.

With a two goal lead in their pocket, the Hawks wasted little time in adding to their lead in the third period. Artemi Panarin scored forty-seven seconds into the period to give the Hawks a 3-0 lead, and basically put themselves on cruise control. That cruise control style of play came back to bite them in the ass, as the Canadiens scored two goals in under four minutes to cut the Hawks lead to 3-2. Luckily the Hawks finally woke up, with Toews adding an empty net goal to seal the deal, and the Hawks escaped from Montreal with a 4-2 win. Next up for the Hawks is a trip to Canada's capital, Ottawa, to take on the Senators.

The Good

• Patrick Kane opened the scoring in the first period, after a great set up by Artem Anisimov. The assist by Anisimov gave him a new career high in points at forty-five. Scary part is, there's still 3 1/2 weeks left in the regular season.
• Johnny Oduya tallied his first goal in his second stint with the Hawks after one timing a loose puck from the point. I've seen Oduya make this play before (when it comes to one timing a puck from the left point towards the net), except A LOT more was on the line, and it wasn't him who scored.
• With Anisimov injured, #DickSchmaltz took his place on the #AK72Line, and was excellent. He set up Panarin's goal in the third period with a nifty pass from along the boards, and Panarin did the rest.
• The final will say he gave up two goals, but Corey Crawford was outstanding tonight. He made several spectacular saves. In the end he made forty saves en route to the win and remains unbeaten in regulation against Montreal in his career.
• Who didn't enjoy Tanner Kero laying out Andrew Shaw?
• TVR played a team low 14:52 for all you TVR haters. Not to be outdone though, Michal Kempny's ass was in the press box again, so I win.
• Patrick Kane had himself a night. Not only did he have three points, but he also moved ahead in the league lead in scoring. Although as I am writing this, Connor McClavicle and Edmonton are still playing tonight, so it could change. Regardless, I'm sure Kane being in the scoring lead will get some committed bloggers upset. Isn't it McAwesome?

The Bad

• I love the heart of Ryan Hartman, but son you're going to get yourself killed laying out in front of a Shea Weber slap shot. Put that one in the memory bank next time you think that will be a good idea.
• Speaking of Shea Weber's slap shot, let's ask Corey Crawford's mask how it feels. In the second period, Crawford's mask was the victim of a Weber bomb that knocked him on his ass. 
• For the most part, the Hawks looked pretty good tonight, except for some sloppy play in the second period. During that stretch, they took two penalties, but did manage to kill both of them off. They were also guilty of taking their foot off the gas late in the third period, and the Canadiens managed to score two goals in under four minutes to make it interesting.
• CSN decided to put Adam Burish on during the intermissions, and post game tonight. Actually, he was a lot better than Jamal Mayers. Maybe this is like #DickSchmaltz. Baby steps into a bigger role with the team. Or it could just be because Burish is broke and will work for food.

The Ugly

• For reasons unknown, Pat Foley decided to say Corey Crawford is better goalie than Carey Price. His basis? Crawford has two Jennings Trophies to Price's one, and Crawford's two Stanley Cups to Price's zero. Jesus Christ, shut the hell up Pat. If we're going to judge players based on championships, then Colin Fraser is an all time great.
• What the hell were the Canadiens thinking on Kane's goal. Its like Moses' parted the Habs defenders to give Kane all the time and space he wanted.
• Remember when I said the Hawks got good news from the injury department before the game? Well that was the kiss of death, as Artem Anisimov went down with a lower body injury at the end of the first period. Anisimov had to be helped off the ice, and as Captain Obvious would say, it didn't look good. (Update) - Post game Quenneville said it wasn't as bad as originally feared, and Anisimov will be re-evaluated in a few days.
• Anisimov missing the last two periods of the game probably didn't help, but the Hawks were crushed at the dot 39%-61%. WOOF.

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Blackhawks vs Canadiens3-2 Win Recap

"My Last Serenade"

by Gatekeeper
Tweet to Gatekeeper

Sunday night the Blackhawks welcomed the red hot Canadiens to Chicago for, "One of those great six o'clock starts". The Hawks also welcomed back their former mangy mutt, and now overpaid agitator Andrew Shaw, as well. The Montreal Canadians came in on a hell of a hot streak, but that hot streak involved all world goalie Carey Price. The Hawks didn't face Price, Sunday night, which was an advantage right off the bat. Chicago native Al Montoya was in net for the Habs, and his last start really didn't go so hot, to the tune of a 10-0 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets. After this game the Blackhawks were hitting the road for their annual pain in the ass circus trip and 7 straight on the road until the 29th, when they return against the Panthers. Perfect timing after just ending a 7 game winning streak, eh?

The Hawks organization started out with a Denis Savard tribute called "One More Shift". It was pretty cool and I know my brother was at full mast. The biggest Savard fan I've ever known. This is for you, Skeeter:


Following the short Savard ceremony, the Blackhawks came out with a little jump in their step. For a while, at least. The one thing that you'd imagine them gaining even more momentum on is the powerplay, but that's been proven wrong time and time again. They eventually took a 1-0 lead but they certainly didn't have the same pep in their step. Shots ended up in favor of the Blackhawks 9-7 and the Habs carried over a powerplay into the second period.

To say that the Blackhawks didn't start the second period well, is a bit of an understatement. They gave up two pretty soft goals in the first three minutes of the period. Thankfully, they were able get back on track and score two goals in the latter minutes of the period to take a 3-2 lead into the final frame. Overall, the Hawks also out shot the Habs pretty heavily 13-5.

The third period started out really well for the Blackhawks but they were not able to solve Al Montoya. In the latter stages of the period, the Canadiens were able to use 4-on-4 play and a pulled goalie to generate some pressure but the Blackhawks were able to hold on for the 3-2 win.

The Good

• Not only did they honor Denis Savard, but they honored Andrew Shaw with a little scoreboard tribute.
• Gustav Forsling put the Blackhawks up 1-0 with about eight minutes remaining in the first period. Andrew Desjardins and #DickFuckingPanik created some traffic in front, while Al Montoya's defenseman knocked his stick out of his hand. This gave Forsling an advantage on the shot, and he beat Montoya glove side.
• Following another failed powerplay the "Can't we just trade or LTIR him" Marian Hossa scored his 9th goal of the season. Al Montoya made the save on a long Nick Schmaltz clapper, but the rebound laid right at the feet of Hossa, who jammed it in.
• With just under 4 minutes left in the second period, Patrick Kane paid his homage to Denis Savard with a highlight reel goal of his own. After the refs missed a puck hitting the netting in behind the net, the play worked back around and Kane dangled through Jeff Petry and Max Pacioretty, then beating Al Montoya to give the Blackhawks a 3-2 lead.
• With about 7 minute remaining, Andrew Shaw looked to have a wide open net and Corey Crawford kicked it away with an incredible toe save.
• This might be the most complete and dominant game that the Blackhawks have played in quite a while. They had a few minute lapse in the second but, otherwise, they were spending most of their time in the Habs zone. The Blackhawks out shot the Habs 35-23.

The Bad

• A minute into the second period, Duncan Keith had to take a penalty when Daniel Carr got in on a partial break-a-way. The Habs tied the game on a bizarre goal. Shea Weber tried to center the puck from the goal line extended, and it went off Michal Kempny's stick and into the top corner of the net.
• A couple of minutes after the Weber goal, Andrei Markov found a lane at the blue line, after Hawks neutral zone turnover and beat Corey Crawford cleanly. That's one Crawford would love to have a "do over" on.
• It took about 25 minutes for Joel Quenneville to fire up the lineblender, swapping 1st and 4th line left wings. Hinostroza ended up with the golden ticket while Hartman went down to the shithouse.
• With Al Montoya playing a great game and about 3 minutes left, Ryan Hartman got him all fired up and Montoya came up swinging. All this led to a 4-on-4 situation.

The Ugly

• The powerplay opened up struggling to get the puck out of their own end and, if not for Corey Crawford, they would have given up yet another ugly shorthanded goal.
• Pat Foley sat and told everyone watching the broadcast that Andrew Shaw was never drafted. Andrew Shaw was drafted in the 5th round(139th overall), in 2011.
• Max Pacioretty took a deflected puck right in the yap and left the ice bleeding pretty heavily, in the first period. Ouch.
• I still have no respect for Alex Radulov. He's an over rated bum slayer who dominated an inferior league and caused the Predators a bunch of drama.
• With his team trailing by a goal, and about 12 minutes remaining, the $5 million Andrew Shaw took the puck in his own corner and threw it to Richard Panik. The problem is that Shaw no longer plays on hte same team as Panik. Then he almost broke Michal Kempny's neck with a borderline hit, very late in the third period.
• Jordin Tootoo sat for this one. THANK YOU, JOEL QUENNEVILLE! Coincidence that they played their best game of the year? It's nice when you have 4th line skill that you can roll up 3 lines and not lose much.

The Lineblender
Left Wing - Center - Right Wing
Hartman - Toews - Kane
Panarin - Anisimov - Hossa
Desjardins - Kruger - Panik
Hinostroza - Rasmussen - Schmaltz

Keith - Campbell
Kempny - Seabrook
Forsling - Hjalmarsson

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Blackhawks vs Canadiens5-2 Win Recap

"11th Hour"

by Gatekeeper

The weather in Chicago was frightful but the Blackhawks play was Africa hot, as of late. The Blackhawks came into Sunday night's game riding a 10 game winning streak, and sitting atop the Central division. Patrick Kane came in hot as well, getting his first regular season hat trick against Toronto, on Friday. The Canadiens, on the other hand, came in 1-3-1 in their last 5 and 3-6-1 in their last 10. Even better yet, they are the team responsible for keeping #AllStarJohn Scott out of the All-Star game, since they traded for him and buried him in the AHL. Eat a dick, Mark Bergevin. Can't you find an ounce of compassion to put just a little fun into that piece of shit All-Star garbage? Anyway, on to this frosty Sunday evening tilt with the Montreal Canadiens.

The Blackhawks started the first period in promising form, but that was quickly snuffed out. The Blackhawks scored in the first couple of minutes of the game, but the Habs came right back and tied the game. All that aside the Blackhawks also led in shots 10-6 as well. After the initial two goals, the game kind of settled in.

The second period was more promising than the first. The Blackhawks built a 2 goal lead after a slow start, and out shot the Canadiens once again, this time 14-10. The Canadiens put themselves in quite a hole, heading into the final twenty minutes.

The Canadiens tried to make the game interesting, cutting the Blackhawks lead to just one goal. As has been typical for the Hawks during this streak, they came almost immediately back which put the game away. The Hawks were out shot for the first time in the game, but they made their shots count. This was all good enough to extend the Hawks winning streak to 11 games.

The Good

• It only took two minutes and forty seconds for the Blackhawks to take a 1-0 lead and it was two of the least expected player that were in the middle of the play. Gustafsson made a really nice play a the Habs blue line and deked a Habs forward and was in with Richard Panik. Gus fed Panik with a saucer, and Panik one timed it past Scrivens for the lead.
• Late in the second period, the Blackhawks took a 2-1 lead during a short powerplay. Marian Hossa led the rush and sent a difficult pass to Kane. Kane had to spin to receive the pass, and because of that could not get a shot off. He dished back to Jonathan Toews. Toews was not able to control either, but kicked the puck just past the far post to a circling Marian Hossa. Hossa was able to scoop up the puck and wrap it around the post. Toews got credit for the goal, but I didn't see it that way.
• With under a minute left in the second period, the Blackhawks used a little help from the referee. A negated icing thanks to a hustling Andrew Shaw turned into Jonathan Toews circling from behind the net and reaching around Scrivens to tuck the puck into the net.
• Artemi Panarin extended his honeymoon just over a minute after the Habs cut the lead to 1 goal. He chipped and chased the puck into the Canadiens zone, and dumped the puck off to a foolishly wide open Patrick Kane. Kane just one timed the puck past Scrivens and the lead was back to two goals.
• Corey Crawford played yet another solid game, stopping 27 of 29 shots including one highlight reel toe save.
• The Hawks 4th line was all over 9 minutes, which is much better than we have seen with Bickell playing there.
• The Blackhawks won 55% of their faceoffs.
• Erik Gustafsson made his triumphant return. Everybody hop aboard the #GusBus.
  

The Bad

• Four minutes after the Panik goal, the Canadiens tied the game. Jeff Petry was given about a day and a half to walk in and size up Corey Crawford. Crawford made the save but the Hawks defense was sloppy cleaning up the rebound. Lars Eller scooped up the puck and beat Crawford.
• In the third period, the Canadiens took advantage of a Trevor van Riemsdyk delay of game penalty and cut the Blackhawks lead to just one goal, briefly. Corey Crawford made a couple of saves, but eventually Max Pacioretty was able to out muscle Niklas Hjalmarsson and direct the puck into the net.

The Ugly

• As we've become accustomed to the Blackhawks gave up a shorthanded breakaway on their first powerplay and then had it negated with a penalty of their own.
• With this loss, the Canadiens have lost 16 of 20 games for the first time since 1940
• Bryan Stinkell was sent to Rockford before the game, after clearing waivers.

The #Fatrick Stankus Fatsy Stats

• Duncan Keith and Niklas Hjalmarsson had a rough possession night a worst on the Hawk.
• Best possession defensemen were Trevor van Riemsdyk and Michal Rozsival, of course they had very few defensive zone starts, so that certainly helped. At forward Patrick Kane and Artemi Panarin led the Blackhawks.
• Alex Galchenyuk got completely worked, for the Habs.
• Max Pacioretty led all players on the ice with a +12 corsi.

The Lineblender
Shaw - Toews - Hossa
Panarin - Anisimov - Kane
Desjardins - Danault - Teravainen
Panik - Rasmussen - Garbutt

Keith - Hjalmarsson
Gustafsson - Seabrook
Rozsival - van Riemsdyk

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Blackhawks at Montreal2-1 Win Recap

"Devil's Son"

by Gatekeeper

The Blackhawks headed to the birthplace of Corey Crawford, Thursday night, to face the historic Canadiens. Before the game, the Blackhawks announced that Erik Gustafsson was injured at the morning skate and Artem Anisimov hopped a flight from Chicago to make the game. This meant that the #Scrozsival monster was going to grace us with their presence. Just swell.

The first period went quite well for the Blackhawks as they came out with some energy. After a few solid chances both ways the Blackhawks traded goals with the Habs, before taking the lead back. They also out shot the Canadiens 12-11 before the period horn sounded.

To the naked eye, the Blackhawks were in deep trouble for most of the second period. If you just read the box score, it told a different story, though. The Hawks were only out shot 12-11 but it certainly didn't feel that way. Just before the period ended, I mentioned that it was one of those "just a matter of time" moments, before the Habs tied the game. Luckily the Canadiens ran out of time.

The third period was even worse for the Blackhawks, but their goalie was unbeatable. The Canadiens peppered the Blackhawks with 17 third period shots, and not a single one ended up in the net. How the Blackhawks managed 10 themselves is a miracle. It seemed like the entire period was in the Hawks end. After weathering the storm, the Blackhawks walked away and headed to Toronto with a hard fought 2-1 win, Joel Quenneville's 783 regular season win, a 9 game winning streak, and a tie for first place in the division.

The Good

• Halfway through the first period, Andrew Shaw used his recently found offensive game to set up Jonathan Toews for a back door goal. Shaw lost a defender on the half boards and made a bull rush towards the net. He tried to take a shot that Michael Condon bit on, but Shaw never got the shot off. Shaw instead dumped the puck off to Jonny Toews, who found a wide open cage in front of him.
• A few moments after the Canadiens goal, Ryan FartButt grabbed the lead back for the Blackhawks. The play was a fairly harmless one, with FartButt finding a loose puck at the half boards, and just unleashing a clapper that surprised Condon.
• Corey Crawford. Plain and simple. The hometown kid came back and made 39 saves. The series of saves he made in the second period were insane.
• The Hawks were over 55% at the dots. Only Anisimov was under water.
• In a game with a lot of action, there were only 2 minor penalties.

The Bad

• Just a few moments after the Toews goal, Paul Bryon scored a goal by going hard to the net. Byron drove the net and David Desharnais threw the puck towards him, from a tight angle. The puck hit Byron in the leg and ended up in the net.
• As previously mentioned, rookie Erik Gustafsson missed the game with a lower body injury that he got in the morning skate. Hopefully this won't last long.

The Ugly

• After having the luxury of #GusBus for a while, seeing the #Scrozsival pairing out on the ice is panic inducing. Every time they are on the ice together, the Blackhawks seem to get pinned in their own end.
• During a third period penalty kill, Marian Hossa took a Galchenyuk follow though right in the grill. He went down and didn't get up until the trainer brought a towel out. Clearly he was in some distress. Like the Terminator that he is, he only missed a couple of shifts and was right back out on the ice.
• The Blackhawks defensemen did their goalie NO favors, and he bailed them out SEVERAL times in huge fashion.

The #Fatsy Stats

• Not Patrick Kane's best game. He was second worst in Corsi, behind The Great Suckderi
• That said, the Toews line was solid in possession numbers.
• Subban was up near the top of Canadiens players in possession, as you might expect.
• Montreal led in just about ever possession category, which just goes to show how important Corey Crawford was in this one.

The Lineblender
Shaw - Toews - Hossa
Panarin - Anisimov - Kane
Desjardins - Danault - Teravainen
Garbutt - Rasmussen - Panik

Keith - Hjalmarsson
van Riemsdyk - Seabrook
Rozsival - Scuderi

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Preseason: Blackhawks at Montreal5-1 Win Recap

"The Brave and The Bold"

by Gatekeeper

The Blackhawks travelled to Montreal, Friday night, to take on the Canadiens in their 3rd preseason game. The lineup was once again full of unfamiliar names, and lacked big names like Duncan Keith, Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane. Nonetheless, the kids were out to make an impression on the coaching staff, which was fun for us prospect geeks.

Earlier in the day, the team announced that 10 players had been sent to Rockford and two other players (Tropp/Morin) were put on waivers to be sent there, as well. As the roster was taking shape, we could probably expect this to be the last game for a few of these kids.

All roster moves and press conferences aside, there was actually a game that actually happened.

The Good

• After Daniel Paille was stopped on a breakaway, while drawing what should have been a penalty shot, David Rundblad did the one thing he is actually pretty good at. Shoot the puck. It only took the Hawks a few seconds into the powerplay to open the scoring, as Ryan Garbutt redirected a long David Rundblad point shot past league MVP Carey Price.
• Just a little over a minute after the Garbutt goal, the line of Andrew Desjardins, Garrett Ross and Kyle Super Baun-Baun played a little tic-tac-toe. Desjardins took an intercepted pass right up the gullet and took it the other way. After hitting the Habs blue line, he dropped the puck to the trailer, Kyle Baun. The Habs defense bit on the Desjardins "pick", as he drove the net. Baun was left way too much room to hit the stick of a wide open Ross, aka Shaw 2.0, on the back door for the tap in.
• The Baun, Desjardins, Ross line picked up his second plus of the night in their next shift. Desjardins got the puck deep, Ross kept the puck moving behind the net, and Baun eventually picked up a blocked Trevor Daley shot in the slot and pumped it past Price.
• Shortly after the Habs were able break the shutout, the Blackhawks line of the night (Desjardins,Ross,Baun) scored their 3rd of the night. Desjardins actually tried to send a pass across the slot and it was tipped by Kyle Super Baun-Baun, beating Carey Price, who was cheating the pass and leaning the wrong way.
• Scott Darling was solid once again. He saved 30 of 31.
• Call me crazy, but Daniel Paille looks useful. He may not have a spot on this team, but he has shown he can contribute as a 4th liner.

The Bad

• Just 25 seconds seconds into the second period, Zack Kassian broke in on the Hawks defense and was able to squirt a shot past Scott Darling to finally put the Habs on the scoreboard. The bad part for them is that they were still down 3-1.

The Ugly

• About five minutes into the third period, Ryan Garbutt got himself into a precarious position as he was bearing down on the Habs Ryan Johnston. Johnston turned his back just before Garbutt got to him and ended up with a face full of end boards. I can't fault Garbutt, because he was committed to the hit already.
• Chris Desousa caught the Habs Gabriel Dumont lazily admiring his chip of the puck and labeled him with what looked like a good hit. As a result he was pulled into a slap and tickle. The drama was after, as he earned himself a 5/5/10 and was booted. I didn't really see it as that bad of a hit. If you ask me, and you didn't but it's my website, he left his feet AFTER contact. You can decide for yourself HERE
• Hawks centers were clowned at the dots, winning only 35%.

The Lineblender
Dano - Teravainen - Garbutt
Rasmussen - Tikhonov - DeSousa
Ross - Desjardins - Baun
Kopecky - Paille - Labrie

Svedberg - Visnovsky
Hejda - Daley
Pokka - Rundblad

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Blackhawks vs. Canadiens 4-3 Win Recap

                    Better Late Than Never

Whenever two Original Six franchises play each other there's always a buzz in the air. That was the case Friday night as the Montreal Canadiens paid a visit to the UC.

The Hawks got off to a fast start and opened the scoring just over two minutes into the game, by way of old man river Michal Rozsival. Late in the period, Ben Smith added your typical grinder goal to give the Hawks a 2-0 lead. The two goal lead didn't last long, as Montreal cut the lead in half just 28 seconds later.

The momentum from the late goal at the end of the first period continued over into the second for the Habs. The Canadiens added two more goals to give them a 3-2 lead after the second period.

The Hawks managed to battle back in the third period. El Captain pushed a loose puck across the goal line to tie the game at three. Then with just under 30 seconds remaining, Brandon Saad added some dollar signs to his name and netted what turned out to be the game winner, giving the Hawks a 4-3 win over the Habs.

The Awesome
- This is an honorable mention for Gatekeeper, Brandon Saad's beard is awesome. It puts our playoff beards to shame.

The Good
- The Hawks first goal, strictly because of this line; Rozsival from Bickell and Shaw
- Brad Richards and Kris Versteeg continued racking up the points. We're finally starting to see some chemistry. See what happens when you take your finger off the line blender.
- It may have only been 1 of 5, but still the power play tallied another goal. This is something I'd like to get used to seeing.
- I'll give an honorable mention to Carey Price. If it wasn't for him, the final score could have easily 6 or 7 to 3.

The Bad 
- Antti Raanta's rebound control was all over the place. Its a work in progress, but sooner or later its going to bite the Hawks in the ass.
- The Hawks allowed 41 shots to Montreal. You'd like to see that total come down just a little.
- Sergei Gonchar scored. Seriously, Sergei Gonchar scored.

The Ugly
- Blowing a 2-0 lead is never a good thing. To make matters worse, the Hawks allowed three straight goals to the Habs before they responded. Yes, in the end the Hawks won, but that's something that normally doesn't happen. Count your blessings.
- Speaking of blowing the lead, nice shift by the Hawks after taking a 2-0 lead. Allowing the Habs to score a late period goal, shifted the momentum to the side of the Habs, and it showed in the 2nd period.
- David Rundblad was a +2 on the night, which I didn't want to see. 1. because I wanted to see Klas Dahlbeck play, and 2. it probably means Rundblad will play Saturday night in Nashville.
- The "tripping" call on Patrick Kane was a joke, but I still say no to expanding instant replay.
- Apparently now any time Hossa hits the ice, we have to hold our breath. 


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Blackhawks at Montreal5-0 Shutout Win Recap

"New Pain"


The Blackhawks traveled to legendary Montreal, Tuesday night, for a tilt against the Habs. The Habs had been one of the hotter teams in the league at 8-3-1, and boasted one of the hotter goalies in the league. This didn't necessarily set up a warm and fuzzy for the Blackhawks.

The Habs came out with noticeably more energy than the Blackhawks in the first period, out shoooting the visitors 11-5. This would have been all peachy for the Home team if they weren't down going into the first intermission. Things certainly didn't get any better from there, as far as the Habs go.

The Blackhawks woke up in the second period and didn't look back. They led in shots 17-8, and scored the second goal of the game which then brought us to third period.

Our mighty Blackhawks opened up the game and applied boot pressure to the throats of the Habs, in the third period. They scored three goals, while out shooting the Habs 10-9 and holding on to that elusive shutout. Good on all accounts but the injury front, which we'll discuss later.


The Good

• Even though they were out shot early, the Blackhawks powerplay grabbed a 1-0 lead, just over halfway through the first period. El Capitan tipped a long Deuce shot past a helpless Carey Price, and it looked as though all the stars were aligning in Montreal. Glad to see Tazer heating up because they will need it. Drive to the front of the net; goal. Not a hard concept.
• Almost exactly half way through the second period three very unlikely characters aligned in a justice league of whipping boys, to put the Blackhawks up 2-0. Kris Versteeg banked a pass from the corner off Markov, and over Price, for a pretty fluky goal from Bickell and Rundblad. Still looks to me like the pass hit Kruger, but what do I know? Total garbage goal, but anything to increase Versteeg's value.
• Brad Richards scored his second Blackhawks goal, shortly into the third period, which then opened the flood gates. All he did was, again, drive to the net and tip a Sharp shot puck past Price. Nothing pretty, but certainly effective.
• Heading into the home stretch, Patrick Kane joined the fun, showing a little chemistry with his BFF, Jonny Toews. They weaved through the Habs zone while Ben Smith, wait for it; drove to the net. That opened up the slot for Kane, and El Capitan hit him on the tape for a pretty redirect.
• To finish the scoring, the unusual suspects of #DammitVersteeg, Ronnie Pickle and Strongbad struck again. This was another flukey goal, as well. Versteeg and Bickell worked the weave, similar to the Toews/Kane goal, but this time the shot went wide. A clearly aggravated Price over pursued and got dragged entirely out of the crease. Bickell dug the puck out from behind the net and Versteeg hit the gaping net. This was not a slam dunk by any means, because Versteeg and "missed open net" are almost as synonymous as Stalberg and "can't finish".
• David Rundblad wasn't noticeable, which means he wasn't abhorrently terrible. So, hey, one point for him.
• Faceoffs were split right down the middle, which we will call a win for the Hawks, because they were the road team. If it weren't for Brad Richards getting mushroom stamped (1 of 10), the Hawks would have been golden.

The Bad

• The new stat to watch is attempts blocked. The Hawks had 24 blocked. This cannot continue. If we can see this from watching on TV and seeing the stat line, the coaching staff has to realize this.
• Bourque, Subban, Markov and Eller were all -3 for the Canadiens. WOOF!
• According to the stat line, Hoss had a rough night. Four PIMs, no points, not on the ice for any goals, two missed shots. No worries.

The Ugly

• Patrick Sharp went knee to knee with Alexei Emelin and wasn't able to get off the ice under his own power or even put weight on his leg. After the game it was inferred that Sharp would be out quite a while, as in a matter of several weeks. all that being said, don't expect Teravainen to take his spot. Just not Q's style. Most likely we will see someone like Versteeg slide back up the lineup and Nordstrom come take his spot on the 4th line.
• This embellishment thing is stupid, and this is coming from a person whose team it benefited. It's completely subjective and now it's just going to go off reputation. You get players like Robidias getting away with a terrible one in Toronto the other night, because he's not a notorious diver, but the Habs get nailed twice last night on reputation alone. My brother brought up a good point, last night. The rule "should" be that if you get caught for the embellishment you forfeit the powerplay, as well as get a penalty of your very own. This will shape shit up real fast. This current situation is not consistent at all.

The Lineblender

Smith-Toews-Kane
Sharp-Shaw-Hossa
Saad-Richards-Morin
Bickell-Kruger-Versteeg

Keith-Seabrook
Oduya-Hjalmarsson
van Reimsdyk-Rundblad

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PreSeason : Blackhawks vs Canadiens3-1 Loss

The Blackhawks faced the Canadiens, last night, in a pretty boring game that ended up a 3-1 loss. This is the preseason so I'm just going to point out a few observations.

-Michal Rozsival had a terrible turnover after attempting an asinine pointless spin-o-rama deep in the Hawks zone and was luckily bailed out by Antti Raanta.

-Later, Rozsival and his partner Kyle Cumiskey, were walked through for the first goal of the game. Cumiskey has to be thinking, "how am I going to make team dragging this putrid bag of bones around". Brutal!

-AND not to be outdone, just a mere minute and a half later, Rozsíval was out on the ice and right in the thick of the Habs second goal. That guy is DONE.

-El Capitan set up Bryan Bickell for what turned out to be a really nice rush. Bickell's legs look fresh, which is really good news for the Blackhawks.

-Manchild set up an Andrew Shaw break-a-way with a nice strip of Greg Pateryn,at the Hawks blue line in a 4-on-4 situation. He chipped the puck up and Shaw took it in alone on Price. One of the lone Hawks bright spots.

-Carey Price made a pretty damn nice glove save on a wide open Duncan Keith, high in the Habs slot.. Price was spot on.

-Speaking of Keith, his pass to none other than the open bench door led to the Habs open net goal that iced the game.

-Raanta was alright on the night. He made 16 of 18 saves, and could have had better numbers if Rozsival was taken out back and shot between the second and third periods.

-When you out shoot a team 32-18, you NEED to win that game. Whatever, preseason.

-Shaw and Bickell were two of the best Blackhawks. Shaw had six shots, three hits and a goal. Bickell had three shots and three hits. It didn't show on the scoresheet but he had to really nice chances and could have easily had two goals.

-Jeremy Morin is Brandon Pirri. The only one to play less, last night, was Anus P Manshitter. Morin will be playing somewhere else, probably Florida, in the near future. It is another one of these, "get better through osmosis, not reps" Dr. Lineblender projects. If you don't have glaring natural talent, the Blackhawks won't help develop you at the NHL level. Just sit on the bench and play meaningless minutes until Bowman can finally unload you to Dale Tallon.

Pirri

Hayes

Olsen

next up, Jeremy Morin.

-Toews and Kruger were dominant at the dots, but Richards and Shaw got worked over heavily. In the end the Blackhawks still came out ahead, but there can't be that much variation.

Highlights, if you want to call them such:

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Blackhawks Week That Was - 1/17

1/11 - Blackhawks at Montreal
2-1 Overtime Loss

• Leave it up to Truck Nutz (Handzus) to screw up what would have been the game winning goal. First he falls down behind the net with absolutely no one around then he gets caught in the crease, which ended up resulting in a waved off goal.
  
• I'm not really sure what the hell Kane and Seabrook were doing in OT, but it was a complete clusterfuck.
  
• Crawford made some outstanding saves, none of which were better than the one he made without his stick and while the Hawks were on the powerplay.
  
• The Hawks were terrible at the dots. Shaw was the best Hawks center at 50%. Kruger and Handzus were in the 30 percentile range.
  
• Kane was a minus 2, with no points. Off night.
  
• Carey Price has definitely benefitted from the arrival of Stephane Waite.
  

Here are the video highlights: 1/12 - Blackhawks vs Oilers 5-3 Win

• Lets not beat around the bush. The talk of the game, and the league, was the goal that Patrick Kane scored on his own empty net during a delayed penalty. At least it didn't cost them anything but some embarrassment and a little schmutz on their faces. Click the link to enjoy the hilarity.
  
• While I've seen a lot of talk about how Raanta should have challenged Hemsky more on his goal there is much more to it. Deuce, Carter Seven and Truck Nutz all left enough room for Hemsky to not only drive the net, but drive through the crease. Of all three, I would have liked to see Seabrook drill Hemsky before he was even able to get to the net. It was clear that Mr Norris Trophy was beaten, and Seabrook had a beat on Hemsky.
  
• It was nice to see Shaw get some time with some talent again, and score. Funny how you put a guy with some wheels out there with Saad and Kane, and things happen.
  
• The Toews goal was just FILTHY. He made Dubnyk turn into putty.
  
• The Hawks were back to dominating the faceoff dots. They were 61% as a team and El Capitan led the way, winning 17 of 23 faceoffs (75%).
  
• The birthday boy, Marian Hossa, had a goal and an assist. Not too shabby for being 35.
  
• Former first overall pick Nail Yakupov was a minus 3, and so was Nick Schultz. Not going to impress the coaching staff that way.
  

Here are the video highlights: 1/14 - Blackhawks vs Avalanche 3-2 Overtime Loss

• The SOLE reason the Blackhawks lost was one person, Semyon Varlamov. The guy made 46 saves, including 13 while shorthanded.
  
• While Varlamov was huge in net, the Hawks defense wasn't exactly stellar. You can put the first Avs goal on Crawford because it was pretty shady but the second Avs goal, 61 seconds later, was all on the Hawks PK. The overtime goal was again on the Hawks defense. Hjalmarsson had a chance to clear the puck and didn't. The defense turned into a complete shit show after that, leaving Barrie wide open to snipe Crawford on the back door.
  
• Shock&Shaw had another strong game, tying up the score in the third period and having an assist on the Oduya goal. That's 2 goals and three points in the two game since he was demoted.
  
• The Hawks were really strong at the dots once again, winning 58% of their draws. El Capitan was insanely good, again, winning 21 of 29 faceoffs (72%).
  
• The Hawks going 0-5 on the powerplay certainly didn't help their woes. If they convert just one of those, which would be below their average, we're not even discussing overtime.
  
• The Blackhawks prized power forward played only 9 shifts for 6:34 and was a minus 1. Either he's really still hurt, or Q just despises him. If he's hurt, then sit him and get someone that is capable of playing more than 3 shifts a period. If he's in the Chateau Bow Wow, then throw him on the 4th line of scratch him.
  
• Versteeg has gone Vercold, once again. He hasn't had a point in six games and is a minus 3 with 7 PIMs in those games. He hasn't had a goal in 9 games.
  

Here are the video highlights: 1/17 - Blackhawks vs Ducks 4-2 Win

• Well, Well, Well. Looks like the cold stiff corpse of Bryan Bickell made an appearance when it counted. His third period breakaway goal, with a guy draped all over him, ended up being the game winner. Back to the casket for you, sir.
  
• Speaking of cold stiff corpses, who is that number 23 guy? Versteeg's goal was a little flukey, especially because he barreled into three Ducks players and still managed to eventually poke the puck by Hiller. He was rewarded by getting hit at teh end of the second by Bryan Bickell and never returned.
  
• It amazes me that with talent like Hossa and Toews on the penalty kill, they are still 29th in the league. The Hossa shorthanded goal, in the first period, was mastery. Three one touch passes and Hoss was off to the races on a really nice 2-on-1.
  
• While the first Ducks goal was a really nice effort from Getzlaf, Hammer started it off with a needless blind backhand pass, and Johnny Oduya completely overcommitted to the slide. The second Ducks goal was a woof fest. Crawford just got eaten up by a fairly easy shot. This is just more fuel to the meatballs call for Raanta, which will be about as fun and entertaining as chewing on a bucket full of broken glass.
  
• The only Hawks center that wasn't great at the dots was Andrew Shaw, who was only 4 of 11. The overall they were at 56%.
  
• I know this is really getting picky, but Brandon Bollig on the ice late in a one goal game, just makes me want to drench puppies in gasoline and set them on fire. Why tempt fate? Also, how he was credited with seven hits, is beyond my comprehension.
  
• Nick Bonino and Nick Beleskey were minus 3 each for the Ducks.
  
• Patrick Sharp had six shots on net and a minus one. It is safe to say he has cooled off a bit.
  
• Remember when the Ducks fans and media wanted to trade Hiller because twenty nine year old Viktor Fasth was their future?
  

Here are the video highlights:

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Blackhawks vs. Canadiens - Win Recap

"The Princess and the Frogs"



With no time to sit and stew on Tuesday night's loss to the Penguins, the Hawks were back home to face the Montreal Canadiens on home ice. The Habs are quite the opposite of the Pens. They have trouble scoring and try to rely on their defense/goaltender. In the goaltender arena the Hawks were on the lucky side because they faced Peter Budaj instead of Carey Price. Montreal was also in the news recendtly because they fired Jacques Martin and temporarily replaced him with former Blackhawk for a minute, Randy Cunneyworth. To add to the circus, they told the press that they weren't hiring a fulltime coach that doesn't speak french, which Randy doesn't. Thanks for playing Randy.

The first periods was highly uninspiring. There wasn't much action and there was almost no hitting either. The teams went into the break tied 0-0. The second was a little better, with the Hawks scoring 2 goals, and the Habs managing one of their own. There was certainly more action, and a little chaos. The third opened up for the Hawks with a game icing goal, and then 2 completely worthless goals. Anyhow, the Hawks go into the XXX-mas break leading the league with a 22-9-4 record.

The Good

• Brandon Pirri's first game back with the Hawks was a good one. He didn't stand out, but he played with Sharp and Hossa, and didn't look out of place or tense. In fact, he opened up his first shift with a big hit I personally think he looks more comfortable out there than Morin or Smith ever did. This kid is going to be really good. Quenneville had no problem putting him out there for the PP and PK, and he showed some great composure with the puck. He was 10-18 at the dot, which is pretty good. I really like this kid.
• Bruno tied the game up about halfway through the second. He dug the puck out from behind the net and put it through the crease. It hit Subban's leg and headed towards the net, some think it may have grazed Tazer's stick on the way, but the goal was given to Bruno. 1-1
• Shooter followed up the Bruno goal, 37 seconds later, going in on a 2-on-1 with Pirri and beating Budaj on another shot that looked to go off his own defenseman. Before I could compose my thoughts on the Brunette goal, I was trying to gather in the handsomeness that is Shooter.
• When Stalberg wants to, his speed is lethal.
• Pick-to-Click-Vik scored his second goal, in 2 games, off a feed from Bickell to blow the game open. Bickell pulled his "one stride, and rip off a wrist shot that takes 3 days", that whizzed over the net. He had the right presence of mind to chase the puck down and throw it out in the slot where Stalberg was waiting. Vik let'r loose and it was 3-1 Hawks.
• Jonny Tazer thought to have closed out the Habs night with an empty netter, but the Hawks weren't done. Obviously, the Habs WERE done.
• Bickell was pretty much given free reign with Vik to score one of the most worthless goals you'll see this year. Could have come for a more worthless player.
• Great return for Crawford, and his outstretched goal stick save should be a candidate for save of the year.
• The Hawks held the Habs to just one goal on 22 shots. That's all we can really ask for.

The Bad

• With Lurch playing on the third pairing, him and Frank the Tank couldn't seem to figure out who was going to play the puck, because neither seemed to want to, early on. Still, when you have 6 generally competent defensemen out on the ice, the game seems much more complete. Consider this bloggers vote for Big Slow to be moved to forward, for good, if he must play. He'll hurt the team much less there and if he wants to fight, it's much easier to fill in a 4th line wing than it is a 3rd pair defenseman.
• Frodo was whistled for goaltender interference in the second, but what I don't understand is why. The two players were tied up and they bumped, but Budaj was out of the crease. You can't TOUCH a goalie? Frodo didn't do anything but bump into a guy that was in his way. If it was in the crease, I get it, but this wasn't. Anyway, Kostitsyn eventually tipped a long shot from the boards into the net for a 1-0 Habs lead. ::snore::
• Stromboli was a -2 in 17 minutes in his return to the UC. How's that contract working out for you, Camps?

The Ugly

• In this season of giving, I'm giving you this special present, and forever annointing Frodo, Frolik Navidad:
  

Here are your video highlights:

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Pepé Le Pew

As the season begins to draw to a close, the games we all thought were going to be blowoffs are the complete opposite. Each game is very important to the Hawks chances, which is really a disappointment. If anyone told you that the Hawks would be fighting for the 8th spot with 4 games remaining, you might have been smacked in the face, yet, here they sit. I can't say they really deserve to be in the playoffs, with the way they've played. Then again, I predicted a 45-28-9 record, which would be good for 99 points, and if the Hawks win out, that will be their record. Who would have thought the rest of the conference would have virtually the same record, through?

The Hawks didn't exactly look like they energized in the first period. The were badly out shot in the first three quarters of the frame, but managed to make up some of the deficit and finish with 9, to Montreal's 12, and no scoring either way. The second period was much more in the Hawks favor, as they out shot the Habs 13-12, and each team scored one goal. Twenty four shots is still too many shots against through two periods. The third period was ALL Hawks, but they couldn't solve Price. They out shot the Habs 20-9, but the game still went to OT. A failed OT penalty kill did the Hawks in, and they walked away with an OT loss.

The Good

• The Hawks first powerplay of the game was a direct result of a Pik-to-Click Vik pesky forecheck on PK Subban. Subban coughed it up and eventually had to interfere with El Capitan. Stalberg gets overlooked for his hustle far too often.
  
• Gee! Kane gets some space in the middle of the ice about 20 feet out, and what happens? HE SCORES! Go figure. I wasn't screaming all night about that or anything.
  
• Soupie's second period shot off the post was DEAFENINGLY loud. My ears were ringing for minutes after that one.
  
• The Hawks powerplay, late in the Third, resulted in 7 shots on net, but no goals. It's amazing that as below average as the powerplay has been, they are still second in the league.
  
• Seven shots on net for One Trick Bick and I can't recall any of them.
  
• Corey Crawford is the only reason the game wasn't out of hand early. He made huge saves all game long, and deserved a better fate.

The Bad

• In the first ten minutes of the game, there was a furious pace back and forth, but the Hawks were still out shot 8-3. The new lines of Stalberg-Toews-Hossa, Kane-Kruger-Brouwer, Kopecky-Frolik-Johnson, and Pisani-Dowell-Bickell showed a slight bit of flash, but not much. The new second line was definitely the best of the four. By the third period the lines were completely different. Go Figure.
  
• I'm getting VERY tired of Kane skating himself nicely into the zone and then completely out of the play. In games where you're not getting shots on net, you HAVE to take open shots, between the dots, from 15 feet. Or just skate it harmlessly away and turn it over. Just to make sure he keeps making questionable plays, he skated the puck around the net TWICE and failed to get a shot off within 3 feet of the cage. It might not be a perfect angle, but as Gretzky once said, "You miss 100% of the shots you don't take". Of course right after I jot all this down, he does exactly what I've been screaming at the TV about all night.
  
• Good choice on first intermission interviews, the guy that played the least. "So, Ryan, how were those 2 minutes and 19 seconds you played? Was the view from the bench as good as it seems? Did you actually break a sweat? Is your ass sore from sitting so long?" Brilliant.
  
• Cammalleri banked a shot off Seabrook from about 20 feet out, while no one on the ice notice that he was WIDE open. Mr. Kruger? That was your man. Just thought I'd point that out for you. Maybe that had something to do with why he only played about seven minutes.
  
• Toews, Johnson and Kopecky all did well in the faceoff circles. Dowell, and Frolik, not so much.

The Ugly

• Say goodbye to Troy Brouwer. That was a separated shoulder at the very least. We won't see him the rest of the season.
  
• Late game, offensive zone penalty, Tomas Kopecky. Shocking, I know.
  
• You can only let PK Subban fire at your goalie so many times before he finally hits the net, and he did. The guy has a howitzer for a shot, and that wasn't Crow's fault at all. Game over.

Here are the video highlights for your viewing pleasure:

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