New year and same old Blackhawks hockey. The team kicked off 2023 against the San Jose Sharks and right off the bat it looked like we were in for a long night. The Sharks played almost the entire first period in the Hawks zone and midway through the period were even out shooting the Hawks 11-1. It was amazing to see the first period end tied at zero because there was absolutely no reason the Hawks deserved to be close in this one.
Early in the 2nd period, Patrick Kane found the back of the net for the 2nd straight game and his 3rd in the last 5 games after going through an 8 game drought. This goal only happens after the amazing keep in by Ian Mitchell who finally gets back into the lineup after being health bombed the last three games. Getting the primary assist off an amazing keep in and having Kane immediately give you props has to be a confidence booster for the young defenseman. Mitchell seems to be stuck in roster purgatory as he is too good to be playing in the AHL but for some reason can’t crack the everyday rotation with the big club. As a fan it would be easier to accept this if there were 6 better guys in front of him, but that is just not the case in Chicago. Something has to give and you almost have to wonder if KD should do right by Mitchell and move him somewhere he can get a fair shot at.
After the Hawks took a 2-0 lead, the Sharks got two lucky bounces to tie the game up at 2. Interesting note on the Sharks first goal, with his assist Erik Karlsson breaks the franchise record for longest point streak. This seems to be a theme for the Hawks this year as they have been part of Ovi getting 800 and Josi becoming the Predators points leader. Lets hope the hockey gods will remember how much the Hawks gave others this season and they reward us come draft lottery time.
This game was all San Jose at this point as they scored 5 unanswered goals and knocked off the Hawks 5-2. That gives the Hawks 12 losses in their last 13 games and losers in 4 straight. It isn’t going to get any easier as the Tampa Bay Lightning make their wait into the Madhouse.
Tampa comes to town sporting a 23-11-1 record, which puts them comfortably in the 3rd divisional playoff spot in the Atlantic. Winners of their last 3 games, they are also currently 8-2 in their last 10 games. They have struggled on the road a bit this year with a record of 8-7 away from Tampa, but lets be honest, that means absolutely nothing when you’re playing a team as bad as the Hawks. There isn’t much that can be said that isn’t already known about this team. Three straight cup final appearances, amazing goaltender, amazing defensemen, and just an unbelievably skillful forward unit. This team has had very little roster over hauls and which is why they are always heavy favorites to contend for the Cup.
One thing I am really looking forward to is the reaction from the crowd for Brandon Hagel’s first shift back in Chicago since being traded last March. He has been having himself a great year putting up 28 points so far (14g + 14a) I know his run with the team was short lived but man, did he make the most of it and left an impression on this fan base and I hope he is given a warm welcome back.
Players to Watch
Nikita Kucherov 13 goals 40 assists 53 points
Steven Stamkos 17 goals 24 assists 41 points
Brayden Point 21 goals 16 assists 37 points
Projected Starter
Brian Elliott 7-2 3.31 GAA .894 SV%
Hawks Line Up at Morning Skate
#Blackhawks lineup at morning skate: Athanasiou-Domi-Kane T. Johnson-Toews-Raddysh Kurashev-Dickinson-Lafferty Katchouk-R. Johnson-Blackwell
McCabe-S. Jones Phillips-Murphy J. Johnson-Mitchell
Stalock Mrazek
*Entwistle, Khaira (injury), C. Jones are the extras
Pretty much what was expected, it’s good to see Kaner out there as he appeared to injury his knee towards the end of the game on Sunday. Stalock is back in net looking to build off his solid performances and bounce back after the loss in Columbus.
World Junior Update
Connor Bedard… that is the update. If there was any question that this kid wasn’t a generational talent, this tournament has answered that. In 5 games he has 8 goals, 13 assists for 21 points. He passed Eric Lindros for most points in Team Canada World Junior history and has the most goals in Team Canada World Junior history with 16. He also sent Canada to the semi-finals with a highlight reel goal and even threw down the Kaner heartbreaker celly (Bedard to Chicago confirmed). No matter who gets the right to draft him, it is going to be an absolute thrill watching this kid play in the NHL next season and for years to come.
Hawks Prospect Stats
Canada
Nolan Allen 1 goal 1 assist 2 points
Ethan Del Mastro 0 goals 2 assists 2 points
Kevin Korchinski 1 goal 3 assists 4 points
Colton Dach 0 goals 2 assists 2 points (out for the remainder of the tournament after suffering a shoulder injury in last round robin game)
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