The Blackhawks took the ice in Dallas last night, sitting 9 points out of the last wildcard spot in the West and, one would assume, in desperation mode against the hosting Stars.
Chicago head coach Jeremy Colliton continued to juggle the lines, a la his predecessor Joel Quenneville, perhaps either looking to generate some renewed chemistry or to make assessments for next season. A few eyebrows were raised by the elevation of thus far disappointing forward Dylan Sikura, Stan Bowman’s self-described “big trade deadline acquisition” from last year, to the top 6, playing with Jonathan Toews and Brandon Saad.
Chicago Blackhawks lines and pairings
Brandon Saad–Jonathan Toews–Dylan Sikura
Dominik Kahun–Artem Anisimov–Patrick Kane
Alex DeBrincat–Dylan Strome–Brendan Perlini
Chris Kunitz–David Kampf–Marcus Kruger
Gustav Forsling–Brent Seabrook
Corey Crawford faced off against Anton Khudobin in net for Dallas.
FIRST PERIOD
The Hawks took advantage of a Taylor Fedun turnover at the Chicago blueline, sending Kunitz and Kampf off on a 2-on-1 that Kampf finished at 5:10 of the period. 1-0 Chicago.
However, at 6:23, after a Sikuira turnover, Alex Radulov scooped up a fat Crawford rebound right in front of the Chicago crease and buried it. 1-1.
The period featured a fairly high tempo with some quality chances both ways. The tie was finally broken at 19:24, after Murphy blocked a shot, kicked the puck out to a racing Kane while face first on the ice, who then found Alex DeBrincat in alone on Khudobin, his 37th goal of the year. 2-1 Chicago.
Shots were 14-11 for Chicago.
SECOND PERIOD
The back and forth action continued into the second period, with both teams trading quality chances. The Hawks held an advantage in shots through much of the period,
Chicago had a power play for a Dallas delay of game at 13:02 that the Stars killed without the Hawks registering a shot on goal.
The period ended fittingly on a brilliant Khudobin save on Kahun, and a fine stop through traffic by Crawford at the other end. Shots were 15-8 in favor of Chicago.
THIRD PERIOD
The long scoreless stretch of this game continued well into the third period. Midway through the period, shots were even at three a piece.
The Stars took yet another delay of game penalty at 15:25—clearly, it seemed the game would hinge on whether the Stars could kill the penalty then figure out how to dent Crawford in the remaining 2-plus minutes of regulation. They did kill it, and pulled Khudobin at 18:45.
The Hawks really couldn’t establish o-zone possession, until Brandon Saad, going for the empty net from his own blue line, iced the puck, giving Dallas a draw in the Chicago end. Ten seconds later, Stars forward Jamie Benn took a goalie interference call and that would ice the game for Chicago.
THE GOOD
Overall, the Hawks played a pretty solid game against a good team in their own building. Murphy, especially, was steady and effective most of the game—playing defense like an NHL defenseman should. Take note, Erik Gustafsson and Gustav Forsling. The Hawks kept their dwindling playoff hopes alive with the win, and gave themselves an example of how they should be trying to play the rest of the way and next year.
THE BAD
Opening the game with Saad and Toews, Sikura still appeared tentative and contact-shy. At some point, the Hawks may need to admit that this is a narrative that not even they can force right now. Some players make the transition from college and/or the minors relatively quickly. Some, like Sikura, don’t. It doesn’t mean he’s a bust (necessarily). It probably means he has some physical maturation and accompanying confidence to gain in order to assert his game at the NHL level. And the question is, can he do that while also playing against the big boys and not getting meaningful results night after night?
THE UGLY
Crawford played pretty well, but briefly appeared a bit woozy after taking a hard shot to his mask in the second period. There is a plausible theory that in every game he plays now, Crawford has the potential for re-injury and risks long-term serious health problems.
All I have on this one. Please comment below.