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Crawford And The Second Line Enough |
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The Blackhawks were good enough to outlast a talented (and better-coached than in many years) Edmonton Oiler club last night, 4-2.
Corey Crawford was amazing, period. Stopping a game's worth of quality chances in the second period alone, Crawford really deserves the credit in a win where the other team easily could have scored 4-5 goals.
And the second line was responsible for all four goals, and nine points (Kane 1/3, Panarin 2/1, Anisimov 1/1). One of those, the fourth, was largely created by a great read and pass by defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson. Marian Hossa didn't make the scoresheet, but his presence was felt—the lines were more evenly balanced.
The first line, even with Hossa back, struggled to generate chances and zone pressure, with Teuvo Teravainen the latest auction at left wing. That line will either have to adjust it's game or Teravainen will have to get much tougher along the boards and on the puck when taking physical pressure. Hossa is not "the problem" with that line, or the third and fourth lines, which aren't generating a lot of pressure either. Although the third line was better last night with Andrew Shaw at right wing.
The plain truth is, the Hawks' offense starts in its own end with transition and quick puck movement—and it really misses Duncan Keith. That's the bigger problem.
For the first line to be effective, especially right now, they have to establish and maintain offensive zone possession. Teravainen is great at getting the puck in the zone and setting up. But he folds like a rented chair with any kind of physical pressure. Sooner or later, the Hawks may want to go back to Marko Dano in that slot, who is a lot stronger on the puck.
Another good night last night for rookie Erik Gustafsson, although the Hawk blue line overall really struggled to get pucks out of their end. It seemed like Edmonton "schemed" the Hawk breakout pretty well, and the blame for the weak clears fell as much on the forwards as on the defense. Viktor Svedberg has had a couple of rough games in a row. This experience is good for him—he simply needs to read and react more quickly. Getting a more than a bit nastier wouldn't hurt him either.
The Blackhawks are off now until Thursday, when they get the chance to exact some revenge on the Devils at the UC. I'll have a preview. I'll also be back with a blog about a former high Hawk draft pick and more int he meantime.
JJ
Chicago Blackhawks Blogger • 
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