Blackhawks Fall Short in Shootout Loss to Blue Jackets

photo from zimbio.com

Near the start of the season, the Blackhawks felt they had been robbed of a second point by the Calgary goalie, Jonas Hiller. Quenneville said the same thing last night of Sergei Bobrovsky, who made over forty saves in regulation and overtime, and then made eight saves in the shootout to secure a win for the Blue Jackets (their first win against Chicago since 2011, fourteen games ago).


Things just weren't clicking for the Blackhawks last night. They had a goal waved off early in the first period, and after that it was missed chance after missed chance, not to take anything away from Bobrovsky, who was probably the best player for Columbus.

Patrick Sharp finally scored his first even strength goal of the year, cashing in on one of many odd man rushes for the Blackhawks in the second period to tie the game, and again in the third period, an almost no goal tied it again. The Blackhawks spent the whole game coming from behind, and that's part of what hurt them.

Defence was excellent, as usual, Brent Seabrook especially having a phenomenal game, breaking up at least two odd man rushes for Columbus, and blocking a slap shot with the outside of his foot, causing him to limp off the ice. Nicklas Hjalmarsson also blocked two shots in the same shift, hobbling off the ice, but neither player missed a shift.

The Blackhawks allowed their ninth power play goal of the season with a second left on the power play after allowing just two of them in the last thirty two attempts. They remain top of the league with 91.4%. Their own power play continues to struggle, going scoreless in four attempts.

Corey Crawford had a decent first game back from injury, saving saving seventeen of nineteen shots for a .895% save percentage. He's still fourth in the league for GAA with 1.97, and his .927% save percentage is good for seventh.

My Three Stars of the Game

3. Patrick Sharp. Patrick Sharp is flourishing in the move to his off wing, and playing well with Bickell and Shaw. His fifth of the season opened the scoring for the Blackhawks, and felt like it was a long time coming.

2. Jack Johnson. Jack Johnson was only the second shooter of nine to score on Crawford, and the second skater to score a shootout goal on a Chicago goalie so far this season. He had an excellent defensive game, and showed that he can chip in on the offence when needed.

1. Sergei Bobrovsky. Bobrovsky has been having an excellent season, standing on his head behind a heavily injured team, and has been in net for every game of the seven game win streak, with excellent numbers to show for it. He looks more and more like the 2013 Vezina winner the further we get into the season.

Next game: December 21st, vs. Maple Leafs