Chicago Blackhawks' Three Players Who Have Stepped Up
Dec 11, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks goalie Scott Darling (right) is congratulated by right wing Marian Hossa (left) and defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson (center) following the third period against the Dallas Stars at the United Center. Chicago won 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
The Chicago Blackhawks have seen good play of late from some of their athletes
As of this post, our beloved Chicago Blackhawks have been skating without their captain, Jonathan Toews, for nine consecutive games, their starting goalie Corey Crawford for five consecutive games, and star defenseman Brent Seabrook for two consecutive games.
Losing a key player for a prolonged period of time is a difficult challenge for any team to overcome, but to lose three of your top players in three different positions can be all but a death knell.
Since the loss of Toews and the later salt-on-the-open-wound that was the sidelining of Seabs and Crow, the Blackhawks have posted a record of 5-3-1. By most measures, this a fairly commendable performance sans three of your franchise’s top talents.
The question now is how have the ‘Hawks been able to fare so well, and can they keep it up until their trifecta of horrid injury luck comes to an end?
Perhaps the only silver lining to any top player being held off the ice for multiple games is that it creates a production void that gives otherwise lower-profile players an opportunity to fill. While the first line (fka the second line) of Patrick Kane, Artem Anisimov, and Artemi Panarin has been humming along per usual for the ‘Hawks, they certainly aren’t the only reason our boys in red, white, and black boast a winning record with their limited roster.
Here are three Blackhawks who have really stepped it up as of late.
Dec 11, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Trevor van Riemsdyk (57) clears the puck from in front of goalie Scott Darling (33) during the third period against the Dallas Stars at the United Center. Chicago won 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Trevor van Riemsdyk
After showing so much promise at the beginning of his career with the Blackhawks, van Riemsdyk’s fall from grace amidst injuries and poor performance to date have him all but on the precipice of being traded. During Seabrook’s hiatus however, TVR has demonstrated he may have a bit of a bounce back left in him.
At this point, no one expects van Riemsdyk to set the world on fire in the least, and as predicted, he’s only notched one assist in the past three games. However, TVR has made his most critical contribution the to Blackhawks’ in the TOI column.
Through the past three games, van Riemsdyk as averaged around 21 minutes a game. Successfully chewing up this amount of ice time is crucial for the Blackhawks’ blue line because it allows the likes of fellow defensemen Duncan Keith, Brian Campbell, and Niklas Hjalmarsson to stay all the more rested night in and night out.
Additionally, TVR has lately shown some incredibly apt ice vision; stinging long cross-ice passes to generate offensive drives on more than a few occasions.
While TVR’s recent success isn’t going to silence the many critics he’s accumulated over the past few years, he’s certainly making a better case himself lately. A case for what is something only time will tell.
Dec 9, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks goalie Scott Darling (33) makes a save on New York Rangers right wing Michael Grabner (40) during the first period at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
Scott Darling
It’s no secret that Crawford’s play has been a critical keystone thus far this year. Until he was sidelined with appendicitis, Crow was serving as an important anchor between the pipes while the team in front of him has been sorting out their identify for the season. Many fans speculated with angst at the possible worst-case scenario of Crawford being out for multiple games. Thus far however, Darling has allayed all fears.
While there aren’t too many doubters of Darling’s talent in Blackhawks Nation, consecutively getting the start in net for multiple games is certainly new territory for the Illinois native. Yet, over the past five contests, Darling has an average save percentage of .95 whilst facing a cumulative of 145 shots. While his win-loss record of the 2-3 leaves something to be desired, Darling is certainly pulling his weight for the ‘Hawks, and picking up right where Crow left off as a stabilizing presence in goal.
Nov 25, 2016; Anaheim, CA, USA; Chicago Blackhawks right wing Marian Hossa (81) moves the puck down ice against the Anaheim Ducks during the third period at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Marian Hossa (and the Triple H Line)
Perhaps no one on the Blackhawks miss Brandon Saad and Patrick Sharp more than Marian Hossa. In Saad and Sharp, Hossa had a proven winger to help him flank center Jonathan Toews. In their absence, Hossa’s output suffered noticeably last year, so much so that he began the 2016-2017 campaign bouncing around lower lines as a proverbial orphan. Then Hoss landed on the same line as Ryan Hartman and Vincent Hinostroza, and the rest as they say, was history.
Hossa’s recent renaissance in the wake of Toews’ absence has by far provided the most glue to hold the ‘Hawks together, and while Hoss’ three goals in the past five games are certainly a testament to his seemingly ageless abilities, he certainly couldn’t have done it without his line mates in Hartman and Hinostroza.
It really makes sense when you look at it. For many years, Hossa has had to play second fiddle as a winger for Toews, and while he experienced success, it was still ultimately Toews’ line; fashioned around his strengths and style of offense.
Now with Hartman and Hinostroza, Hoss has two young, talented, and hungry forwards he can mold in his own playing style. While Hartman and Hinostroza aren’t necessarily inking up the stat sheet, their aggressive, two-way play under Hossa’s influence has been paramount and has generated many-a-scoring opportunities.
While it’s anyone’s guess what will happen to this line once Toews returns, until then the Triple H line has a golden opportunity each game to further establish their already very promising chemistry.
FOR THE DAGGER!
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