Late Rally Sends Blackhawks Past Wild

photo from bleacherreport.com

The Blackhawks had a 3-1 lead going into the third period, statistically their strongest period this season, but they ended up having to push late after giving up another two goals, the Wild tying the game ten minutes into the third period.


The top line is back creating the kind of offence you want from your top line, combining for four points (two goals, two assists), even if there was a little bit of line juggling going on (Patrick Sharp got his spot as top line left wing back for a few shifts) when Andrew Shaw had to go to the locker room after an elbow to the head that knocked his helmet off. Brandon Saad, though held pointless, had an excellent game, and should really have been credited with an assist on the Toews goal, as he did a huge amount of the work to get the puck to the net. Marian Hossa broke his several game goal drought with his sixth of the year.

The power play scored in its second straight game, from an admittedly lucky bounce, but it was enough to give them the go ahead goal late in the third, Patrick Kane's fifth game winner of the season. The penalty kill remained strong too, giving the Wild nothing and bringing their penalty kill percentage back up over 91%. The record for best penalty kill in a season is 89.58%, by the 2011-2012 Devils. The Blackhawks show no signs of slowing down on their own impressive penalty kill (8 PPG allowed in 91 power plays). I'd be happier if they were taking less penalties per game, but as long as they keep killing them off, then there's nothing really to worry about.

The Blackhawks were without Duncan Keith in the lineup last night, sidelined due to illness (Quenneville doesn't think it's mumps, thinks Keith will be back practicing with the team by Saturday's game against Columbus), and it showed, with sloppy, and at times downright horrific defending. Halfway through the game, the pairings were swapped, and Rundblad and Erixon played together for the first time since Erixon's trade (the two played together in the SEL before joining the NHL) and they looked good together, as did Seabrook and Oduya. Seabrook in particular had an excellent game, collecting a goal and two assists, and I think this game went a long way to proving that he's an outstanding defenceman playing with or without Keith. It also went a long way towards proving exactly how important Keith is to this Blackhawks lineup; there isn't really anyone on the Chicago blue line that compares to him.

My Three Stars of the Game

3. Jonathan Toews. Toews was one of three players on the Blackhawks to record a goal and two assists. He now has twenty five points in thirty one games, and is second on the Blackhawks for total points.

2. Brent Seabrook. Seabrook leads all Chicago defencemen in goals and points (tied with Keith). He's been having a spectacular season so far, and is currently on pace for fifteen goals this season. His previous career high is nine.

1. Patrick Kane. Patrick Kane's thirty fifth career game winner wasn't the prettiest, but it got the job done. He leads the league in game winning goals, and is sixth for just goals, with fifteen of them. He leads the Blackhawks in goals, assists and points, and is the only point per game or more player for Chicago. After a slow start to the seasons, it seems like Kane is finally hitting his stride.

Next game: December 20th vs. Blue Jackets