That was a fun game! Putting aside for a second the many things that the team needs to improve upon, the Blackhawks are exciting to watch with their competitive spirit and emerging talent.
The Hawks made a powerful statement by scoring 3 power play goals in the 1st against the second-best penalty-killing team in the NHL to propel the team to a 6-4 victory against the Hurricanes.
However, a major blemish in the contest was when a 3-1 lead was erased in short order as the Hawks gave up a pair of goals in 8 seconds during the opening minute of the 2nd period.
Even though he still earned the win on 30 saves, this was the first time in 8 starts that Kevin Lankinen gave up more than 3 goals in a game and the second time giving up 3 or more goals.
Patrick Kane (1+3), Dominik Kubalik (1+2), Alex DeBrincat (2+0), and Mattias Janmark (1+1) led the Chicago offense with multi-point efforts and potting 5 of the team's half dozen goals.
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Starting Lineup
The starting lineup remained the same as the previous game despite a head fake in practice that made it seem as if Malcolm Subban would be getting the start between the pipes:
#Blackhawks lineup remains unchanged from Tuesday:
— Carter Baum (@CarterBaum) February 5, 2021
Janmark - Kurashev - Kane
DeBrincat - Strome - Kubalik
Hagel - Soderberg - Shaw
Highmore - Kampf - Suter
de Haan - Murphy
Keith - Mitchell
Zadorov - Beaudin
Lankinen
Subban
You might be stuck inside, but you can still use your outside voice when cheering on the team tonight 😉@budlight | #CHIvsCAR pic.twitter.com/6ZrNeXZba3
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) February 5, 2021
Scoring Recap
1st Goal: Aho (0-1)
Just 75 seconds in! pic.twitter.com/gpvSLJFHVE
— Carolina Hurricanes (@Canes) February 5, 2021
Even though he had the chance, Calvin de Haan didn't close time and space on Sebastian Aho. Connor Murphy and Brock McGinn also took away Lankinen's eyes enough so he couldn't react in time.
2nd Goal: Janmark (1-1) PP
Let's take this TV timeout to appreciate Kubalik's terrific setup on Janmark's PPG. @NBCSChicago | #CHIvsCAR pic.twitter.com/GExlKVvbUw
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) February 5, 2021
3rd Goal: Kubalik (2-1) PP
Kuby dooby Doo
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) February 5, 2021
Well done, you ðŸ‘#Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/B7R1pgRU6T
4th Goal: Shaw (3-1) PP
Every Mutt has its day@NBCSChicago | #CHIvsCAR pic.twitter.com/ngqwKwEj7G
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) February 5, 2021
5th Goal: Niederreiter (3-2)
Ni-NO doubt about it pic.twitter.com/KR2t3plnIT
— Carolina Hurricanes (@Canes) February 5, 2021
Beaudin at least made a valiant effort to tie up Niederreiter. However, Beaudin couldn't seem to position his stick in a way that would have given him better control of impeding Niederreiter.
6th Goal: Svechnikov (3-3)
Svech scores AGAIN pic.twitter.com/kahhZlaq0B
— Carolina Hurricanes (@Canes) February 5, 2021
It didn't help matters that Murphy got caught puck watching with his back to the rest of the Carolina players. He didn't realize Svechnikov was at the doorstep until it was too late.
7th Goal: Kane (4-3)
We see it too, Kaner!#Showtime pic.twitter.com/Su9CIsXrpu
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) February 5, 2021
8th Goal: McGinn (4-4)
Brock you like a Hurricane pic.twitter.com/DjJmXo6rOl
— Carolina Hurricanes (@Canes) February 5, 2021
de Haan would then have been able to stay in the crease to protect the house instead of chasing Aho. It didn't help that Murphy also followed the puck giving McGinn a free shot from the slot.
9th Goal: DeBrincat (5-4)
A pop fly or two but Alex DeBrincat finds the net!#CHIvsCAR pic.twitter.com/GuT9imj1pd
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) February 5, 2021
10th Goal: DeBrincat (6-4) EN
MEOW! DeBrincat makes it 6-4 #Blackhawks with an empty netter!#CHIvsCAR pic.twitter.com/YbEAHjWOLh
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) February 5, 2021
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Other Plays
Compete & Strength
Five minutes in, Kubalik displayed compete and strength protecting the puck as Martin Necas tried to jolt him at center ice. Kubalik then drew in two defenders to free up DeBrincat for a near goal.
Hustle & Skill
At the end of the 2nd, Kurashev demonstrated his hustle and skill with a spin move to fake out Jake Gardiner along the boards then tried to stuff the puck home from below the goal line.
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Player Notes
Dominik Kubalik
For the second consecutive game, Kubalik was one of the Hawks best players showing off much improved all-around play which is needed to avoid a sophomore slump and elevate his game to new heights.
Dylan Strome
While he didn't dent the scoresheet, Strome had a bevy of prime scoring chances. As Eddie Olczyk remarked, Strome must be doing something right if he's in position to receive pucks and shoot.
Brandon Hagel
Getting better with each game, Brandon Hagel leveraged his tenacity and speed to create several breakaway attempts generated by his excellent defense at even strength and on the penalty kill.
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Rockford Updates
The AHL has announced that due to the AHL’s COVID-19 protocols, the Cleveland Monsters will be unable to travel to Rockford for games Friday and Saturday.
— Cleveland Monsters (@monstershockey) February 4, 2021
DETAILS: https://t.co/rDtiyWYj3D https://t.co/5mdBAikgZy
The Hogs will start the 2021 season hosting the Chicago Wolves (Hurricanes + Predators) on Saturday instead. Game time is 3:00pm CST. The next game is a week later at the Iowa Wild.
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See you on the boards!