In a game neither team deserved to lose the Hawks outlasted the Blue Jackets and won
1-0 in OT. The Jackets may not have deserved to lose but most teams can’t win while only managing three shots on goal in the 3rd period of a scoreless contest.
The goal tending from Mason and Khabibulin was out standing and the Hawks did a great job of shutting down the Jackets especially in the 3rd period.
In the last period Columbus may have wanted to secure at least one point but the defensive effort throughout most of the contest from the Hawks was top notch once again. When they slipped and the Jackets had quality chances, Khabibulin was up to the task.
The Hawks could have come into Saturday’s game still feeling good from Friday night's big victory but they showed up like a veteran battle tested group for the contest in Columbus. They were in the game from the start and if not for great saves from rookie goalie Steve Mason the Hawks would have gotten an early lead.
Concerning the Friday Playoff clinching game at the UC, it was another workman like effort from the Blackhawks. The Predators are another desperate team and although injured were a tough opponent.
The Hawks had the schedule slanted in their favor concerning the Jacket game as Columbus played a grueling contest on Saturday night in Nashville. In the same regard the Hawks won the second of back to back games earlier in the week versus the Blues.
So what does the last three victories mean for the Blackhawks?
1. They now have a great chance of finishing 4th in the Western Conference.
2. If the Hawks split their next four games they will finish the season with 101 points.
3. The Hawks are now winning hard fought low scoring Playoff like games.
4. Khabibulin is back in top form and was just announced as the NHL's 2nd Star of the Week.
5. The Hawks have surrendered only two goals in their last three games as the deffensive effort from all has been outstanding.
6. Newcomer Sammy Pahlsson is starting to make his presence felt.
7. If the Hawks can win their next two starts versus the Preds and Jackets it is possible the outcome of the last two games against the Wings won’t effect their Playoff seeding.
8. In their last three games the Hawks have only taken a total of seven penalties.
9. The power play has been awful and that will have to change for the Playoffs.
10. The confidence is back and now everyone appears to realize the importance of each shift.
I haven’t made much of the Hawks frequently getting called for too many men on the ice this season. I know Q. is big on match ups but the quick line changes appear to have caused the Hawks more difficulty than they should.
Chicago leads the NHL with 14 bench minors.
Those types of penalties often come back to haunt a team and need to be avoided especially in the Post Season.
Another cause for concern is the ineffective power play.
The Hawks have to work their way out of that funk. They need to get more shots on goal and also get traffic to the net. Simple is often best when struggling to score and hopefully they will get back on track this week.
I can’t help but recognize the quality of teams that now comprise the Central Division.
It looks like the Ducks have the inside track of gaining a Playoff birth over the Blues and the Preds. Anaheim is ahead of the Preds and Blues in total wins and has also won the season series over St Louis.
St. Louis has taken their season series over Nashville. So it appears unlikely both will get into the Post Season but stranger things have happened. If the Blues and Preds finish dead even in points the St. Louis heads to the Playoffs.
Regardless if only three teams instead of four qualify for the Playoffs from the Central Division for this season the hockey world should be on notice. The lowly Central of the past is gone and now could very well be the best Division in the NHL.
That point could be debated but with the surplus of young talent and top notch goal keeping in the Central Division every team should have a very bright future. The Wings don’t have youth on their side but until proven otherwise in the Playoffs they are still the best team in the League.
What goes unnoticed is the quality of head coaches steering teams in the Central Division. That group led by Cup winners Babcock and Hitchcock are an impressive collection. The point also could be made that the Central features the preeminent group of head coaches from any Division.
I know there are others who have done great jobs this season but if Andy Murray and the Blues do get into the Playoffs he should win the Jack Adams Award. In my opinion the Blues have over come more adversity than other team in the NHL.
The only other downer of the weekend was a Patrick Sharp apparent knee injury from Friday night.
It is supposedly not the same knee that was hurt earlier this season. Regardless of where he is injured it would be best if Sharp can play in at least a couple of game before the Playoffs start. He needs to get his game back in form from already missing about five weeks of action.
Quenneville could also use a healthy Sharp to help establish the line combination to begin the Playoffs. Coach Q. has the boys dialed in and they need to keep the pedal on the gas for the last four contests.
The only mission left is to finish well enough to gain home ice for the opening round.
Al’s Shots
I want to thank all who entered the Hawk Greatest Memory Contest. There were a wide variety of memories entered; some from as far back as the 70’s while others were as recent as last season.
I couldn’t decide on one so I picked two.
The first was a recent memory from a Hawk fan of over 20 years, Alex Robb.
“My greatest Hawk memory came just before Christmas last year when the team came back on the ice after a win to greet the crowd and throw their sticks into the stands. I truly believe that this classy gesture was the turning point for a franchise long mired in mediocrity.”
Next was a great memory from the 70’s, which I have to admit I had forgotten about.
Hockey Buzzer djd sent this in …
“A shot, and a goal” as broadcast by Lloyd Pettit. Sneaking my radio
into bed and, with the volume barely audible, listening to games. I
heard Hull score his 51st against Maniago but my favorite was....
when the Hawks scored 5 empty-netters to eliminate Montreal from the playoffs in
1970.”
Hawk fans are loyal to the core and many live north of the Border. I even received a picture of a tattoo which a Canadian proudly displays on his arm. It depicted the Stanley Cup and the Hawks logo.
Gutsy move in that neck of the woods.
Thanks again to all.
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