The Blackhawks churned out one of their stronger efforts for large swaths of last night's contest versus the Canucks. However, breakdowns on defense and inability to capitalize on scoring opportunities at even strength are preventing this team from getting into the win column.
In press conferences, head coach Jeremy Colliton has talked about getting the team to progressively play the right way so that the wins will start rolling in. But how much patience does management show with this manner of future team growth when it was built to win now?
The Hawks need to start paying dividends given how much was invested in the offseason to upgrade the roster and kick the youth movement can down the road for at least another year. And if the payout doesn't happen sooner or later, who gets the boot?
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Game Summary
Starting Lineup
Hagel - Dach - Kane
Kubalik - Toews - Khaira
DeBrincat - Borgstrom - Strome
Johnson - Carpenter - Entwistle
McCabe - Murphy
de Haan - S Jones
Stillman - Gustafsson
Lankinen
Fleury
Scratches:
Gaudette, Hardman, Kurashev
Scoring Recap
1st Goal (0-1): Dickinson (Highmore, Hoglander)
2nd Goal (1-1): DeBrincat (Kane, Jones) PP
3rd Goal (1-2): Pearson (Hughes, Garland)
4th Goal (1-3): Boeser (Pettersson, Miller) PP
5th Goal (1-4): Garland (Poolman, Myers) EN
SOG For/Against: 30/25
PP: 1-for-4
PK: 3-for-4
Faceoffs Won: 45%
Thoughts & Notes
* Alex DeBrincat drew 3 penalties and scored on one of the ensuing power plays.
* While he made the obligatory mistakes but who hasn't on this Blackhawks team, Erik Gustafsson has actually been staying around the crease more to help protect the net and even playing the body.
* Riley Stillman continued to be a physical presence on the back end dishing out hits and getting under the skin of the opposition yet may need to pick his spots judiciously over the course of the season.
* The Hawks forwards -- especially the 4th line, Henrik Borgstrom, Dominik Kubalik, and of course Brandon Hagel -- were aggressive on the forecheck.
* Dylan Strome's hooking penalty on Jack Rathbone was a good example of a lower-than-needed compete level as he stopped moving his feet and water skiied to keep up with the puck handler.
* On the Canucks 2nd goal, Tanner Pearson created havoc in the crease first jostling with Seth Jones -- who went on to defend another part of the slot -- then had an easy time to deflect the point shot home as Calvin de Haan didn't do much to push him out of Kevin Lankinen's way.
Highlights
Goal by Alex DeBrincat
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Seth Jones
Despite earning a -2 last night, Jones has generally settled down over the past 4 games after a rough season opener to play some steady hockey both defensively at ES and on the PK and offensively moving the puck well and generating chances including on the PP.
Jones uses his long wing span to knock away pucks and neutralize plays as well as to reach and recover pucks when in pursuit in all zones. Although not the fleetest of foot, he plays with considerable pace to keep plays moving forward in transition and alive when on offense.
This isn't to say that Jones is Mr. Dependable now and on his way towards a Norris Trophy nomination. Far from it especially evidenced by his late coverage of Brock Boeser on the Canucks 3rd goal. Yet, Jones has been trending in a better direction and is becoming more of a team strength than a liability.
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Mike Hardman
A roster spot opens up now with Mike Hardman officially in concussion protocol after sustaining a head injury from a hit by Matt Martin during Wednesday's game against the Islanders. Before the injury, the Blackhawks were carrying 15 forwards and 6 defensemen.
Now, do the Hawks stay at 14 forwards and add back in a 7th defenseman? If so, who are the candidates? Ian Mitchell would make sense since he began the season with the big club and wasn't a liability in his lone game he played before getting reassigned to Rockford.
Another candidate would be Jakub Galvas who was impressive in training camp and already has 5 years of pro experience logged in his native Czech Republic and Finland. If he plays the same way he has in his first few AHL games, then an NHL cup of coffee could be in the cards.
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IceHogs Weekend Games
The IceHogs are in Des Moines for games on back-to-back nights versus the Iowa Wild tonight then back at it tomorrow. As far as starting goalies, expect Collin Delia to get his first start and Arvid Soderblom to get the other game (not necessarily in that order).
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Salute to Troy Murray
Get well soon, Muzz.
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See you on the boards!
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