Chicago Blackhawks' Who's Hot And Not: Second Line Finding Footing
After a bit of a malaise ahead of the All-Star break, the Chicago Blackhawks are finding some heat once again
After losing three in a row, the Chicago Blackhawks have rebounded with two offensive explosions. They have scored four goals and five goals in their last two wins.
They are riding high heading into Minnesota with two wins in a row. With a two-game winning streak following a three-game losing streak, there are many choices for who’s hot and who’s not this week.
I want some hot stuff — four hot Blackhawks
Artem Anisimov
The line Anisimov centers is usually the hottest on the Blackhawks. Some might argue that any line Ryan Hartman plays on gets hot, but we have to look at Anisimov first this week.
In his last five games, he has four assists. For the season, has 18 goals and 19 assists. If he records five more points this season, he will tie his total from a season ago.
Artemi Panarin
Remember when people said Panarin was struggling? Well he got the message. In his last five games, he has one goal and three assists.
When Panarin gets going, that usually means good things for his linemates Anisimov and Patrick Kane. Maybe it is all the soup he has been eating?
Ryan Hartman
It seems like this kid has come of age this season. Hartman stays out of the penalty box, which had plagued him in previous stints with the Blackhawks, and scores.
Hartman has 12 goals and 10 assists this season. In his last five games, he has two goals and one assist. He is now on the fourth line generating offense and seems to be having a better year than predecessor Andrew Shaw.
Tanner Kero
Tanner Kero has become a mainstay for the Blackhawks since being recalled before Christmas. He has centered the third and fourth lines and been a reliable penalty killer.
His offense has picked up as of late, as he has four goals and four assists this season. In his last five games, he has one goal and one assist. Kero was an accomplished scorer in college, so it is nice to see him contributing on offense as well as playing a solid defensive game in the NHL.
It’s Maury time .. you are NOT a hot player
Vincent Hinostroza
He used to be flying high with the the Triple H line with Marian Hossa and Hartman. Now Hinostroza is riding the pine.
He has not played since the end of last month, and his last point came on Jan. 20. With Tyler Motte possibly getting ready to return from Rockford, could Hinostroza be rejoining the IceHogs?
Andrew Desjardins
Andrew Desjardins had 13 points last season with eight goals and five assists. This season he has one assist for the whole campaign. Desi has only appeared in 33 games and now is being benched in favor of Jordan Tootoo.
Corey Crawford
Corey Crawford has not been right his appendix-removal surgery. After a poor All-Star Game showing, Crawford has continued to struggle.
Despite the Blackhawks winning their last two games, Crawford has allowed three goals in each of them. He has posted .912 and .889 save percentages in his last two starts. The NHL average is .912. He need to get back to the All-Star level form he had earlier in the season.
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