Wanna blog? Start your own hockey blog with My HockeyBuzz. Register for free today!
 

Game 3: Hawks 2, Cats 5

January 18, 2021, 4:46 AM ET [125 Comments]
Theo Fox
Chicago Blackhawks Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
The Blackhawks fail to score what seems to be the requisite six goals needed to win a game in 2021 falling to the Panthers by a score of 5-2.

--

Starting Lineup

The starting lineup for Sunday's game was the exact same as Friday's lineup:

Likewise, the starters for the opening shift remain the same as the first two games:

--

Game Recap

1st Goal: Ekblad (0-1)

Although the official scoresheet states Aaron Ekblad scored the goal, replays show Carter Verhaeghe clearly deflected Ekblad's shot from the point so he should get credit.

Alex DeBrincat got a paw on the shot before Verhaeghe redirected the puck home. Duncan Keith had inside positioning but wasn't able to hinder Verhaeghe enough to prevent the attempt.

2nd Goal: Yandle (0-2)

Keith Yandle had an empty net to rifle the puck into after a Three Stooges domino play where Eetu Luostarinen took out Dylan Strome, Adam Boqvist, and Collin Delia in one fell swoop.

3rd Goal: DeBrincat (1-2)

This goal was a tale of two backdooor plays on the man advantage by DeBrincat. Against the Panthers, he was cocked and ready for a one-timer in the circle during the latter part of the sequence.

However, in the last game versus the Lightning, DeBrincat was in motion sneaking from the point down to the lower circle receiving the puck from Strome and shooting it while in stride.

4th Goal: Murphy (2-2)

What to like about Connor Murphy's goal was the fast execution by Pius Suter with the faceoff win, Keith with the reception and pass, and Murphy with walking the line before shooting.

5th Goal: Luostarinen (2-3)

This goal was simply the result of poor gap management by Keith who picked up Luostarinen too late and couldn't close in quick enough to even have a chance to defend him adequately.

While he was able to manage his gap well, Murphy could have done more to pester Verhaeghe who worked his way down the left boards to center the puck for Luostarinen driving the middle.

6th Goal: Hornqvist (2-4)

Patric Hornqvist's attempted pass to Jonathan Huberdeau ended up being his own goal after Calvin de Haan unfortunately and accidentally deflected the puck through Delia's five hole.

7th Goal: Huberdeau (2-5)

Keith made his second mistake of the night that led to a Panthers goal by trying to clear the puck from behind the net and sending it up the middle which is particularly horrid on the PK.

It didn't help matters that David Kampf not only lost the puck battle with Alexsander Barkov but also lost his stick which freed him up to send a pass over to Huberdeau for the marker.

--

Game Notes

Offside Goal

Despite the correct call being made to disallow Patrick Kane's goal, Suter showed great patience, poise, and strength to draw two defenders to him which got Kane open for the one timer.

Duncan Keith

So far this young season, Keith has been terrible defensively with misreads on plays and ill-advised decisions. Also, he either loses inside positioning or fails to get it too often.

Nikita Zadorov

While the physicality is present, Zadorov activates more than he should for a team that could use conservative defending to prevent odd-man rushes and openings around the crease.

Adam Boqvist

As an example of his bad habit of improper coverage, on a play where he whiffed on a shot attempt at the blueline, Boqvist gravitated to the puck carrier rather than getting to the slot.

Ian Mitchell

In just three games into his rookie year, Ian Mitchell is proving to be one of the best -- if not the best -- blueliner on the team with his solid positioning, defensive coverage, and crisp passes.

Calvin de Haan

Not to be outdone is veteran de Haan with his steady, dependable defense which complements the roving style of Mitchell nicely to form the Hawks most reliable D pair so far this year.

Pius Suter

Until necessary to change up the lineup, it would be ideal to keep Suter at center. He thinks and plays like a pivot, battles for and wins pucks, creates space, and crashes the net.

--

See you on the boards!

Join the Discussion: ยป 125 Comments ยป Post New Comment
More from Theo Fox
» One Last Shift
» What's the Plan?
» Teaser Ad
» Power Source
» Cut the Mustard