Five Thoughts On Chicago Blackhawks' Win Over Dallas
Feb 4, 2017; Dallas, TX, USA; Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Brent Seabrook (7) and goalie Corey Crawford (50) celebrate the win over the Dallas Stars at the American Airlines Center. The Blackhawks defeat the Stars 5-3. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
With a 5-3 win over the Dallas Stars, the Chicago Blackhawks have now won two games in a row on the road.
It wasn’t always pretty, but the Chicago Blackhawks managed another win last night. Last Thursday against the Arizona Coyotes, the Hawks were dominating, but then let Arizona back into it. In this game, it was an exciting back and forth affair, where the Hawks pulled away in the end. Yes, you read that right; the Hawks closed it out in the end. That hasn’t happened in a while. Here are five thoughts about last night’s game.
5. Crawford hits a milestone. With this win, Corey Crawford earned his 202nd victory. This moves him past Ed Belfour as the third winningest goalie in Chicago Blackhawks history. He sits behind Glenn Hall (275), and Tony Esposito (418).
Crow has made it very clear he’s working hard to get back to the form he was in before his appendectomy surgery. His save percentage in January was a not-so-good .894. So far in February, he gave up three goals on 27 shots in Arizona (.889%), and three goals on 34 shots in Dallas (.912%). He’s still a work in progress, but building up some wins has got to be a confidence booster.
4. Kane’s awesome goal. While we’re talking about milestones, Patrick Kane scored his 17th goal of the season last night in the third period. It was timely, in that it was the game-tying goal right after Tyler Seguin scored to give the Stars the lead. Kaner’s goal was also a beauty.
This was also Kane’s 268th career goal, which passes Jeremy Roenick, and ties Tony Amonte for the sixth most goals in Blackhawks history.
Nov 23, 2016; San Jose, CA, USA; Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Gustav Forsling (42) controls the puck during the game against the San Jose Sharks in the second period at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports
3. Finally some production in the third. According to Scott Powers of The Athletic, the Chicago Blackhawks have been outscored 9-0 in the third period in the last four games. This is an interesting trend, as the Hawks have been notorious for having strong third periods (after mediocre second periods) in the past. But Thursday in Arizona was a step in the right direction. They didn’t allow any goals, but they also didn’t score any either.
Last night, the Hawks allowed two goals in the third, but they answered with three goals of their own to put away the game. Hopefully they can build on this ability to close and win games.
2. Everyone is contributing. Yes, the usual suspects scored in this one. Kane had a goal, and Jonathan Toews contributed with an empty netter. Artem Anisimov and Marian Hossa each had two assists. These guys are expected to put points on the board; but they can’t do it every night. After all, they are up against the other team’s top defense most of the time.
That’s why it’s refreshing to see other players pitching in. Ryan Hartman and Tanner Kero from the fourth line worked together to start the scoring and tie the game in the first period. The Hawks also got two goals from the defense in this one. And not your expected D-men (Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook) either.
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No, it was Gustav Forsling, who just recently was recalled from the Rockford IceHogs, who scored his second NHL goal with a shot from the point to make it 2-1 in the second. He’s been working on being more aggressive with his shot. He had four shots on goal last night.
Trevor van Riemsdyk also earned his second goal of the season. His was the game-winning goal. He followed up on a shot after Anisimov crashed the net.
If the Chicago Blackhawks can continue to get contributions for everyone throughout the lineup, it could spell good things as they inch closer and closer to the playoffs.
1. Hartman is humming. I mentioned earlier that Hartman scored a goal in this game. He also contributed with a goal against Arizona, and now has 12 goals on the season. That’s two more goals than Toews.
But Hartsy also made a great defensive play when it really counted. At the end of the game, Hartman made a diving block to save an easy tap-in for Dallas’s Jamie Benn. If Benn had scored, it would have tied the game, and probably taken things to overtime.
If the Stars miss the playoffs by one point, blame Ryan Hartman. pic.twitter.com/5bm3YN7a6Z
— Pat Iversen (@Pat_IversenSBN) February 5, 2017
Honorable Mention. I know fighting is being phased out of today’s game. Which is why you don’t see many good fights anymore. If you’re a fan of these things, then I’m sure you appreciated when Jordin Tootoo and Antoine Roussel dropped the gloves last night.
I love how Tootoo washes his hands of him at the end.
The Chicago Blackhawks have improved to 32-17-5, for 69 points. But the first-place Minnesota Wild won last night as well. They are now 32-12-5, for 73 points. These two teams will square off against each other this coming Wednesday in Minnesota. Can the Hawks pull off three wins in a row, on the road? It should be a good one.
