| photo from suntimes.com |
The Blackhawks' offence is starting to become an issue, lack of second period goals aside. This game is their sixth in nine to be held to two goals or less, and only five Blackhawks have scored two or more goals so far. There are still seven Blackhawks who have yet to score, including supposed second line centre Brad Richards, and fourth liners Marcus Kruger and Jeremy Morin.
Despite still remaining scoreless, Morin had another strong game, registering four shots on goal in ten minutes of ice time (his highest of the season; this game marked the first of the season where every skater had at least ten minutes of ice time). His even strength Corsi through the first five games is 66.67% (46 for, 23 against, when on the ice in five on five situations), and with numbers like that, it's hard to imagine he'll be kept off the scoresheet for long.
Scott Darling continues to play well, allowing one goal on 25 shots for a save percentage of .960. This is the second game in a row where the only goal he's allowed has been from a bad defensive breakdown at the opposing team's blue line (last game, Richards had the puck bounce away from him and it led to a 3-on-1; this game, Brent Seabrook had a puck get away from him and he lost an edge trying to get it back, leading to a 2-on-0 which barely squeezed through Darling's five hole) and the second game in a row in which the Blackhawks have allowed odd man rushes to score short handed goals. They have now allowed more short handed goals than they have allowed power play goals. This, in addition to going seven for thirty eight on the power play, suggests that maybe the power play teams need to change it up, especially the point men on that second unit (Richards and Seabrook), but really, if neither unit is scoring, then they need to completely reshuffle it (Kane, Toews, Shaw, Saad, Keith, maybe?)
On another positive note, the Blackhawks may have been held to two goals or less for six games, but they've only allowed more than two goals in regulation two this season. This is down to great goaltending from every goalie they've dressed, and some spectacular defensive plays on odd man rushes. They're 5-3-1 on the season. And that's when they're not scoring. Imagine what they're going to be like when they finally get their offence going.
My Three Stars of the Game
3. Jeremy Morin. Potentially the best skater on the ice for the Blackhawks this game, in the first seven games of the season he's third for on-ice Corsi at 27.80, behind only Duncan Keith and Marian Hossa (28.26 and 28.87, respectively). Hard to imagine he'll stay that high up, but for a guy fighting for a spot on the roster, he's doing everything right except putting the puck in the net.
2. Scott Darling. For the second game in a row he has a save percentage of higher than .950, and has allowed only two goals in two games. Looking forward to hopefully seeing more from the Chicago native.
1. John Gibson. John Gibson shut out the Chicago Blackhawks, something only four teams managed to do in eighty two games last year. It's impressive, offensively challenged Blackhawks or not, and can go a long way towards a rookie goaltender looking for a spot on the regular roster.
Next game: October 30th vs. Senators
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