Exciting Shootout Loss Gives Blackhawks Points in Seven Straight

photo from officeboots.net

In the first period of last night's game, the Blackhawks outshot the Red Wings 17-6. They were completely dominant, and they had an excellent power play with over a minute and fifty of continuous offensive pressure. They did everything but score a goal in that first period, and it ended up costing them in the long run.


Despite the loss, I thought the game was the most exciting effort from the Blackhawks I've seen in a while. For the majority of the game, they out played the Red Wings, they outshot them, and they spent almost five full minutes in the offensive zone more than once. They faltered a little in the third period and allowed the go ahead goal, but Kris Versteeg tied it at two less than a minute later.

Corey Crawford continues to be strong for the Blackhawks, allowing two goals on twenty eight shots. He's now seventh in the league in GAA, with 2.24, and tenth in save percentage, with .922%. It's the eighth game in the last ten that he's posted a save percentage of over .926. He allowed two of three goals in the shootout for only his second shootout loss of the season. (He's allowed only six goals on twenty six shots, in seven shootouts this season.)

The top line continues to fly, with Marian Hossa's ninth point in six games, and Brandon Saad's eighteenth goal of the season. He's only one short of his career high, and easily on pace for his first career twenty goal season.

The fourth line was also good last night, the possession skills of Kruger and Smith meshing well with Patrick Sharp, who scored thirty four goals last year, and probably shouldn't be on the fourth line of any team, but that line is really strong right now, and should be getting some goals to back it up. Last night they combined for six shots on goal, and drew a penalty.

The Red Wings are the best shot surpression team in the league, and Chicago still managed to outshoot them 34-28. They also managed to successfully kill penalties from the top power play in the league, even though they were unable to convert any of their own shorthanded opportunities (Red Wings killing four of four penalties)

This is their third overtime loss in five games, but they've collected seven of ten points so far on this homestand, and eleven of the last fourteen. They haven't lost in regulation since back to back shutouts against San Jose and Minnesota. They're on the right track. They just need to start collecting that second point in regulation.

My Three Stars of the Game

3. Duncan Keith. Keith logged almost half an hour of ice time, and got the only two shots on goal for the Blackhawks during OT. He assisted on the Versteeg goal to force overtime, and leads the Blackhawks blue line in goals and assists (seven goals, twenty six assists)

2. Brandon Saad. Saad keeps going from strength to strength, extending his point streak to four games and five points. He's fourth on the Blackhawks with forty points on the season, on pace for fifty six points overall, nine higher than his career best, set last season.

1. Kris Versteeg. Versteeg was quiet last night until he scored the tying goal with just over ninety seconds left in regulation. It's his second goal in three games since returning from injury earlier last week, and he seems to be bouncing back well no matter which line he's playing on.

Next game: February 20th, vs. Avalanche