Sloppy Hawks Almost Pull Off The Comeback

photo from reuters.com

It was amazing that the Blackhawks made it out of the first period of last night's game without conceding a goal, but an equally sloppy second period left them with a two goal deficit to make up. Marian Hossa and Patrick Kane both had multipoint night, and Hossa even scored in the last minute of regulation to force over time, but Daniel Sedin and the Canucks handed the Blackhawks their second overtime loss in a row just over a minute in.

Kane Scores, Breaks Shutout Drought

photo from chicagotribune.com

I didn't write a recap for the Minnesota game on Tuesday. In all honesty, I didn't feel they deserved the attention, after the worst team effort of the season. Last night, they played like they deserved it. Led by Patrick Kane, the Blackhawks finally earnt a win against Winnipeg; it just took them until overtime to do it.

Kane scored the last goal that the Blackhawks scored, against Anaheim, in the third period. It seemed appropriate that he also scored the shutout drought breaking goal too, a breakaway in the second period, ending the drought at about 145 minutes of gameplay. He also assisted on the OT winner from Brandon Saad, giving him fifty eight points on the season and tying him for first place in the league. His longest streak without at least a point this season is two games, and of the 151 goals the Blackhawks have scored this season, Kane has a point on over a third of them. People are making noises about the Hart trophy, and while it's hard to make that argument when Kane is surrounded by players like Duncan Keith and Jonathan Toews, it's not completely unfounded. Kane is carrying the Blackhawks through this period where they can't seem to score many goals, or string together more than two wins in a row.

Brandon Saad ended a six game goalless streak last night. With his game winner, he became the last skater on the top line to score against the Jets this season, and he's second on the Blackhawks in game winning goals with four, only one behind Kane's five. He's currently fourth on the Blackhawks in scoring, with thirty three points on the season. He's on pace for fifty one, which would surpass his previous career high of forty seven, set last season, and is set to score twenty goals for the first time in his career.

The defence for Chicago was better last night than they've been in a few games, allowing only twenty one shots in sixty three minutes of play. However, after a turnover from David Rundblad led to a goal, he was benched for essentially the rest of the game, and they played with five defencemen from that point on. Johnny Oduya and Michal Rozsival had strong games for the first time in several games, on the ice for both goals and Rozsival picking up an assist on the game winner.

Corey Crawford was strong in this game too. He's been strong the whole roadtrip, really, but a couple of bad bounces and more than a couple of bad periods from the guys in front of him have caused the team to struggle. None of the losses this trip are on him, and if he hadn't made a couple of key saves (most notably on Dustin Byfuglien, the Jets' best player), the Blackhawks would have had bigger than a one goal deficit to overcome.

My Three Stars of the Game

3. Brandon Saad. Saad's been one of the few players that's been stepping up for the Blackhawks during their offensive struggle. Though he was held without even a shot on goal in the game against the Wild, he led the team in shots on goal against Anaheim with seven, and had four in the loss to San Jose. After going without a point in four games, he broke the streak in spectacular fashion with his OT game winner from Kane.

2. Dustin Byfuglien. Byfuglien has been a game changer for the Jets this whole season, and he was solid again last night. It's only his second game back at forward after spending the bulk of the last month or so on the blue line because of all the injuries Winnipeg had to their top four defencemen, and it looks like he can be the best player on the ice no matter where he's playing.

1. Patrick Kane. Once again, Kane is at the top of everyone's list for best player on the Blackhawks. After going two games without a point, he broke the streak and then assisted on the gamewinner to join Jakub Voracek at the top of the league in points.

Next game: February 8th, vs. Blues

Patricks Lead Blackhawks Past League-Leading Ducks

photo from blachawks.nhl.com

It was a game of milestones last night for Chicago. Duncan Keith scored his 400th NHL point. Patrick Kane took sole possession of second place in the league after a two goal, three point night, and Patrick Sharp matched his career high of four assists, last achieved in November 2013. The Ducks never stood a chance.

Late Goal gives Kings the Edge over Blackhawks

photo from bigstory.ap.org

Three times the Blackhawks had a lead in LA last night, and three times the Kings tied it right back up, before a late goal by Jake Muzzin gave them their first lead of the night, and that's all they needed.

Shaw, Kane lead Blackhawks past Struggling Coyotes

photo from foxsports.com

It's been a while since the Blackhawks had such an offensively dominant game. The last occasion would probably be the first meeting with Edmonton, a 7-1 rout that left the Oilers scrambling. This was more of the same, with six different Blackhawks registering at least two points in their first meeting this season against the Coyotes.

Another Goalie Win for Chicago

photo from chicagonow.com

Last recap, I said that Corey Crawford had to be better. Last night, he made forty two of forty four saves. I don't know if he's magically turned his slump around after one game, but I do think the momentum from this win will carry him forward. If he has another good game on Sunday (Antti Raanta is likely starting the game tonight against Edmonton) then it could do a lot for his mental game.

Goals from Kane, Seabrook lead Blackhawks past Avs

photo from espn.go.com

The way Chicago started this game doubtless worried a lot of people. It looked worryingly similar to the way they started the game against Winnipeg, a scrambling, rushed affair where they just barely had the shot advantage, but this time, they went into the second period tied with Colorado, instead of down 3-0, and what a difference it made.

With Heavy Hearts, Blackhawks Win It For Clint

photo from usatoday.com

Early yesterday morning, the Blackhawks lost one of their own. Assistant equipment manager Clint Reif passed away unexpectedly, and the Blackhawks dedicated their 4-0 shutout against the Maple Leafs to him.

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.

Islanders Snap Blackhawks Streak

photo from islanders.nhl.com

The Islanders gave the Blackhawks their first loss since November 23rd last night in a fast paced back and forth that really could have gone either way, and looked like it was going to right up until midway through the third period.

Three Third Period Goals Put The Blues Away

photo from bleacherreport.com

The Blackhawks were riding a three game win streak going into this game, and were fresh off a successful six game, five win road trip. They were also without Corey Crawford, one of their best players so far this season, for the first of at least seven games, and were just coming out of a hardfought weekend against Anaheim and LA. The game could honestly have gone either way.

Richards Line Topples Ducks

photo from nhl.com

The last time the Blackhawks faced Anaheim, they were shut out at home early in the season. This time, the Blackhawks are riding high, with seven wins in their last ten, and a red hot Patrick Kane, with twenty one points in twenty two games, and it was like watching two completely different teams.

Kane leads Blackhawks past Avalanche

photo from milehighsticking.com

Last night, the Blackhawks played an unfamiliarly loose and easy style of hockey, matching the Avalanche's speed and play. It was fast paced, and exciting, and technically probably not that good, but it was a lot of fun regardless, especially after a lucky goal from Bryan Bickell gave Chicago the lead late in the third period.

Kane Helps Chicago Edge Past Flames

photo from blackhawkup.com

Last time Chicago played Calgary, they outshot them 50-18, and lost 2-1 in overtime when they probably should have won. This time, they were outshot 27-22 and won 4-3 when they probably should have lost.

Kane, Versteeg, Richards lead Blackhawks past Stars

photo from nhl.com

Six different Blackhawks had a multipoint game last night, and every guy on the top two forward lines, and the top defensive pairing recorded at least one point. At the risk of jinxing the team as a whole, I think this marks the official end of the Blackhawks' struggling offence.

Shootout Success Beats Lightning

photo from lightning.nhl.com

Last season, the Blackhawks won four of their twelve shootouts of the year, and notoriously struggled with overtime. So far this year, they're three for three, and have only lost once in overtime.

Blackhawks Solve Second Period Problem, Defeat Senators

photo from ottawacitizen.com

Yesterday, I recorded an episode of my podcast, Two For Slashing. In it, me and my cohost Aaron talked about how if the Blackhawks can't start putting in a full sixty minutes of hockey and scoring in the second period, they're going to run into problems. They appear to have heard us, scoring not only a second period goal against Ottawa, but two (and one of those was on the power play, another area the Blackhawks have been struggling in, going 7 for 35 in the past eight games)

Return to Form for Blackhawks

from blackhawkup.com

Antti Raanta started his season strong last night, with a 4-0 shutout against an admittedly struggling Philadelphia team. His performance seemed to light somewhat of a fire underneath the rest of the Blackhawks, who have been struggling as of late with the offensive side of the game, being held to one goal in regular in three of their four games prior to this one.