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Game 42: Hawks 4, CBJ 3
April 11, 2021, 3:43 AM ET [196 Comments]
Theo Fox
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After shaking off an 0-2 hole within the first few minutes to start the game, Kevin Lankinen was razor sharp the rest of the way coming up with huge saves including several on breakaways and at point-blank range.

Wyatt Kalynuk banked his 1st NHL goal, Carl Soderberg scored after a spell of scratches, Dylan Strome bagged his 4th since returning from a concussion. and Alex DeBrincat tallied his team-leading 21st.


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Starting Lineup

The starting lineup with Soderberg returning after a 4-game hiatus:

And the starters for the opening shift:

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Scoring Recap

1st Goal: Del Zotto (0-1)

After a blocker save by Lankinen from in close, the Jackets moved the puck up to the blueline where Michael Del Zotto fired a shot that Lankinen got a piece of despite Duncan Keith in his sight line.

2nd Goal: Atkinson (0-2)

Kalynuk followed the puck carrier around the end boards but Kirby Dach got caught watching which allowed Cam Atkinson to get open in the slot and tuck home the centering feed from Jack Roslovic.

3rd Goal: DeBrincat (1-2) PP

With a few ticks left on the PP clock, the Hawks moved the puck from low to high before Calvin de Haan feathered a pass for DeBrincat to bury with a one timer from the left faceoff dot.

4th Goal: Soderberg (2-2)

Every Hawks player touched the puck as de Haan handled it after the draw and fed Kalynuk who sailed it to the net. Ryan Carpenter and David Kampf tried to make plays before Soderberg cashed in.

5th Goal: Kalynuk (3-2)

Kalynuk registered his 1st goal of his NHL career after taking a pass from Pius Suter and sent the puck on net that trickled past the goal line as Kevin Stenlund tried to save his goalie.

6th Goal: Strome (4-2)

Adam Boqvist hit DeBrincat with a stretch pass to start a pretty passing play with Dach moving the puck left to right before Strome finished with a one timer from the right circle.

7th Goal: Laine (4-3)

(No video available)

After the Hawks failed to clear the puck, Max Domi sent a cross-ice pass from the bottom of the right circle to Patrik Laine at the top of the left circle who launched a rocket past Lankinen.

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Game Notes

Quality vs Quantity

While the Hawks limited the Jackets to single-digit shots until the final minute of the 2nd, Columbus made them count with 2 goals in the first 3:13 of the game and had a clear edge on high danger chances.

Perpetually Poor Passing

Passing continues to be an Achilles' heel for Chicago with many of what they try to dish out being off target or heading to a receiver who isn't ready or in a position to do anything productive with it.

Conviction on Clears

Instead of getting the puck out with force, the Hawks have a bad habit of moving the puck from one area of danger to another. Although he's one of the team's strongest players, Murphy has the weakest clears.

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Player Notes

Adam Boqvist

Boqvist has been smothering in his defensive coverage by mirroring and getting stick on puck. He's also seemingly the only player on the team who can actually consistently connect with a stretch pass.

Calvin de Haan

Partway through the 2nd, de Haan left the game after suffering a hip pointer. This could be a chance for Riley Stillman unless it's time for one of rookies Ian Mitchell or Nicolas Beaudin to slot back in.

Kirby Dach

Dach is heating up more and more with 4 points in his last 6 games. In each game, he has also been a +1 or an even 0. Prior to then, he was -1 and -3 in his first pair of games back from wrist surgery and rehab.

Patrick Kane

Not taking away his all-world talent, Patrick Kane often skates himself into trouble taking the puck to the blueline then coughing it up to create a turnover and fast break in the other direction.

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Trade Predictions

With the trade deadline approaching at 2:00pm CST tomorrow, here are a few quick predictions on deals that the Blackhawks will make by then or perhaps later during the offseason:

By the TDL

* Mattias Janmark for a 3rd or 4th round pick.
* Soderberg also for a 3rd or 4th round pick.
* Nikita Zadorov for a prospect.

During the Offseason

* Brett Connolly or Carpenter for a 5th round pick.
* Collin Delia for a 5th round pick.

Next Season

* de Haan is dealt for a 4th round pick by the 2022 TDL.
* Alex Nylander also becomes trade bait if he shows no improvement after returning from knee surgery and getting re-signed.

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See you on the boards!

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