The Chicago Blackhawks didn’t have far to go after their disappointing narrow 3-2 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning on Wednesday. They had two days and a short trek across the state of Florida to Sunrise, to face the struggling Panthers. While their loss Wednesday was disappointing, the fact that they hung in with the best Eastern Conference team, who also dressed two of the league’s hottest offensive players, was something to build on. With a few days rest, Corey Crawford was once again in net against Roberto “Bobby Lu” Luongo. Sooner or later the Blackhawks big salary players needed to make a statement and that is exactly what happened.
These are the Blackhawks starting lines:
Brandon Saad – Jonathan Toews – Richard Panik
Nick Schmaltz – Artem Anisimov – Patrick Kane
Patrick Sharp – Ryan Hartman – Alex DeBrincat
Lance Bouma – Tommy Wingels – John Hayden
Duncan Keith – Cody Franson
Connor Murphy – Brent Seabrook
Gustav Forsling – Jan Rutta
During the first period, the Blackhawks looked a lot look the team we all saw in the opening two games of the season, rather than the one we’ve all seen for the last 20 games. They came out blazing and out shot the Panthers an amazing 21-7. To go with those 21 shots, the Hawks also put two goals on the board.
It wasn’t the money players that opened up the lead, though, because it was the 4th line that started the scoring. Tommy Wingels worked hard behind the net while the Florida defense let him fly behind the net with little resistance and attempt a wrap-around. His attempt never made it to Luongo, but amazingly drifted through the slot area just long enough for John “#BigJohnStudd” Hayden to swoop in and snap a high glove side shot past the Florida netminder.
Six minutes after the Hayden goal, the money players joined the action, namely Jonathan Toews and Brandon Saad. Toews initially tried a tight shot from five feet to Luongo’s left, and was stopped. Shockingly, the Panthers all peeled off while Toews picked up the rebound and regrouped in the corner. As he circled, Toews realized he had all day to pick his target with both Saad and Richard Panik causing havoc in the crease. Toews snapped a perfect pass to Saad, who redirected the puck past Luongo for a 2-0 lead. This is how the first period ended.
The second period wasn’t nearly as dominant as the first, but the Blackhawks were still able to go into the intermission up 4-1. Florida finally decided to show up and actually out shot the Hawks 19-10, but Corey Crawford stood tall once again. Crawford held the Blackhawks lead despite giving up a goal just a minute into the middle period.
Panthers forward Jared McCann was, surprisingly, given way too much time to size up Crawford, and snapped a clean wrist shot past the Blackhawks goalie. To say there was was some miscommunication on this play might be putting it a little lightly. Nick Schmaltz, Jan Rutta and Gustav Forsling all left McCann to drift into the Hawks slot and pick his spot. That said, Crawford also had plenty of time and space to take an extra step out and limit McCann’s choices. Little harm was done, though, because the Blackhawks picked right back up where they left off in the the first period.
Six minutes after the McCann goal, the recently hot Patrick Kane put his name on the score sheet. Once again, the Panthers defense thought it was safe to allow a dangerous Blackhawks forward circle in the corner and regroup with little resistance. This time, though, Kane took it upon himself to measure up and surprise Luongo with a high shot over his shoulder for a 3-1 Blackhawks lead.
Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews added another insurance goal, with three minute remaining in the second period. Toews’ goal was basically an end to the Panthers night, even though they still had an entire period to play. This final goal is one of those you would see on “NHL Follies” or something of that ilk. Toews pressured Panthers defenseman Mark Pysyk who turned the puck over below the goal line. The puck popped up into the air about waste high and Toews swatted at it with one hand on his stick. That was enough to direct the puck towards Luongo and eventually into the net. Not exactly a goal that will show up on a Hall of Fame resume, but it counted nonetheless.
The teams actually played a third period but the shots were down, and there wasn’t much action. With the few Panthers flurries, Crawford looked dialed in, once again. When the final horn sounded, the Blackhawks left Sunrise with a 4-1 win, and headed home to play the Anaheim Ducks on Monday.
Pluses
- As I stated earlier, the big money players finally chipped in. Toews had a goal and two assists, Kane had a goal, and Saad had a goal and assist. This is all a good sign, but needs to continue on a more regular basis.
- It was really nice to see #BigJohnStudd get back on the scoresheet. If Ryan Hartman doesn’t start producing more, he’s going to lose his spot to someone like John Hayden; again.
- The Toews, Saad, and Panik line had some seriously inflated possession numbers which were all over 78%. The Duncan Keith and Cody Franson pairing wasn’t far behind, ending up over 63%.
- The Blackhawks basically stayed out of the penalty box, for once, getting only two minor penalties the entire game. Florida was even better, getting only one minor penalty late in the second period.
Minuses
- Giving up 38 shots is not going to win you a lot of games in the NHL. This needs to be fixed or wins like these will all be a faded memory while the Hawks decent into the depths of missing the playoffs. Remember, this is a team the Blackhawks SHOULD beat and were out shot by for two of the three periods. Lets call this what it was, a bum slaying.
- Patrick Sharp played a team low 10:50 and was, again, invisible. Can we end this ridiculous charade already?
- If the Blackhawks want Alex Debrincat to continue to produce, he needs better linemates. Sharp and Hartman are both struggling mightily and dragging the kid down the toilet.