Reimer Stands Tall in Blackhawks' Loss to Maple Leafs

photo from cp24.com

Last night's game was a perfect example of how a goalie can steal two points for your team, as back up goaltender James Reimer made forty five saves on forty seven shots (twenty three saves in the third period alone, point blank shots from Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews in the last four minutes) to give the Blackhawks their fourth regulation loss in six games.

The Blackhawks finally got their power play going last night with a new look, going 2-for-4 on goals from Brad Richards and Brent Seabrook, but they were left scoreless in even strength play; their offensive struggles continue. The top line power play unit last night was Richards, Seabrook, Toews, Versteeg and Sharp, and it looked dangerous, registering eight shots in three power plays. The penalty kill also continues to be strong, killing off all three power plays for Toronto.

The Blackhawks seemed more disciplined in this game, halving their number of penalties taken in the Ottawa game, however Seabrook's boarding penalty was especially bad timing, happening during an essential power play near the end of the game while they were down 3-1. Bryan Bickell was also called for tripping four minutes into the game; not a good start for someone who got benched for the last period of the game on Thursday for a bad turnover that led to a goal.

Richards finally got his first goal of the season on the power play, and almost got his second, hitting the crossbar about twenty seconds into the late third period power play. He registered three shots on goal this game, and it was his first game this season where he's looked comfortable out on the ice.

The Blackhawks defence was loose and undisciplined on Thursday. This resulted in a change up of both D pairings and ice time; through two periods, Trevor van Riemsdyk led the blue line in ice time. Duncan Keith played less than twenty minutes for the first time since February 2013. It's only the third time this season he's played less than twenty five. This is probably due to a couple of things; back to back games means Quennville probably wants him rested for tonight's game, he wasn't on the top power play unit for the first time in a long time, potentially nursing a minor injury. He also wasn't playing for Seabrook for the majority of the game, Quennville split them up to play Keith with Michal Rozsival and Seabrook with van Riemsdyk, this could also have caused the bump/dip in ice time for many of the defencemen.

My Three Stars of the Game

3. Brent Seabrook. Seabrook got a goal and an assist in his first multipoint game of the season, and he played well with van Riemsdyk. This could be a recurring pairing, if Keith-Seabrook continue to struggle as a duo.

2. Peter Holland. Holland is the self professed Blackhawk killer. He has four goals in as many games against them, and he got the game winner last night after a great assist from Leo Komarov (currently second in assists for the Maple Leafs, after Phil Kessel)

1. James Reimer. Reimer was outstanding last night, facing an entire games worth of shots in the third period alone and only allowing two goals all game for a save percentage of .957. If he has another couple of games like that, the Maple Leafs could have the best goalie tandem in the entire NHL.

Next game: November 2nd vs. Jets