"I guess it's gotten to the point where if you're outshot numerous times, we still feel comfortable and confident we can win games with our goaltending and our defensive play."
—Jonathan Toews, post-game comments, 1-6-17
After Scott Darling made 40 saves to lead the Blackhawks to a 2-1 win versus Carolina last night—and the Hawks were eoutshot yet again, maybe its time to just see it for what it is. The Hawks are no longer the darlings of the Corsi and Fenwick set. They're more the hockey equivalent of an aging heavyweight boxer, relying on defense and a few big punches to win.
"Our goaltending has put us in a great spot this year. That could be the difference to where our record is and where it could be by playing so much in our own end."
—Joel Quenneville
Still trying to figure out lines past the AK72 powerhouse, and not fully healthy, the Hawks nonetheless got balanced, albeit limited scoring last night, with a goal a piece from the Toews line and AK72.
And while Carolina blocked 12 shots, the Hawks blocked 19. Good news and bad—Carolina launched a whopping 59 shots toward Chicago's net.
But then, there was Darling.
The temptation is to dismiss suburban Chicago-native Darling as nothing more than a glorified minor leaguer/marketing feel-good story. And while he gives up more rebounds than Corey Crawford does, and can flop around like a salmon at times, he also uses his size very well, and moves surprisingly well fior a man his size.
And like Crawford, he has flourished under the tutelage of Hawk goaltending coach, Jimmy Waite.
In the meantime, the Hawks are back on a winning track, doing it how they have all year. Should we assume this is it—that this is the roster and Chicago will ride this formula up to and into the playoffs? Not so fast.
Rumors have been heating up a bit and I did hear late yesterday that the Hawks have some interest in LWs Jamie McGinn and (confirming the rumor reported earlier here and by Eklund) Detroit's Tomas Vanek.
I'll have a Nashville preview tomorrow.
JJ
Quotes courtesy of nhl.com