Game 25: Hawks 4, Bolts 3 (blackhawks)

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Game 25: Hawks 4, Bolts 3

By Theo Fox

Mar 6, 2021 • 2:07 pm

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Seabrook may not have a storybook ending to his NHL tenure but he has a storied hockey career with numerous accolades including 3 Stanley Cup rings and a few gold medals (Winter Olympics and 2 WJCs).

With this chapter closed, there are two questions that arise. One question is whether #7 should be retired not just for him but for other Blackhawks greats Chris Chelios and Pit Martin.

The other question is whether Seabrook should have a role with player development or even coaching within the organization, not necessarily right away but at some point whenever he's ready.

Either way, that's another legendary Blackhawk retiring within a few months: first Corey Crawford and now Seabrook. While not retired, the futures of Jonathan Toews and Andrew Shaw remain uncertain.

On to the game, Malcolm Subban got inconsistent help defensively as he stood on his head with 39 saves to keep his team in it by stoning the Lightning on high-danger scoring chances time after time.

Alex DeBrincat collected his 100th goal of his career and 200th point on the first of a pair on the night to continue his hot streak as he's now 7th in the league in points and 2nd in goals.

The Bolts brought it last night from start to finish playing a blend of speed, relentlessness, finesse, and power to attack the Hawks in waves. But like Thursday, the Hawks kept pace until the end.

This time, though, the outcome was different. No OT loss with a fraction of a second left but a shootout winner by Philipp Kurashev who painted the top right corner to beat Curtis McElhinney.

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Starting Lineup

The starting lineup remained the same as the previous game except for Subban patrolling the crease:

Scoring Recap

1st Goal: Cirelli (0-1)

2nd Goal: Killorn (0-2) PP

3rd Goal: DeBrincat (1-2) PP

4th Goal: DeBrincat (2-2)

5th Goal: McDonagh (2-3)

6th Goal: Kubalik (3-3)

Shootout: Kurashev (4-3)

* DeBrincat (miss) * Kane (miss) * Kurashev (goal)

Lightning

* Hedman (miss) * Point (miss) * Stamkos (miss)

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Game Notes

Sloppy Entries

The power play units desperately need to practice new ways to not only enter the zone but also set up. Way too many easily stymied rushes and one-and-dones even if they can breach the zone.

Post Mates

The post is a goalie's friend. Subban had quite a few shots get past him but the post and crossbar saved his bacon. The Hawks also blocked 25 shots so the defense wasn't entirely porous the whole game.

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Player Notes

Adam Boqvist

Boqvist took a page out of Ian Mitchell's book by having his head on a swivel to scan the ice for attackers and barking out directions to teammates. Another solid defensive effort plus a pair of apples.

Philipp Kurashev

Kurashev's strength is underrated as he's tough to knock off the puck. Even when the other team is successful, he's resilient to not only get back into the play but also doggedly win the puck back.

Mattias Janmark

Someone who has a giddyup to make rushes on offense and then retreat with speed if the puck turns over quickly is Mattias Janmark. That combination makes him a great choice as a starter in overtime.

Matthew Highmore

What he lacks in skill at the NHL level he makes up in sandpaper and hustle, Matthew Highmore is gradually rising from the ashes after a spell of poorly played games earlier in the season.

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Roster Updates

The question now is what does general manager Stan Bowman do with those savings. Does he use it to upgrade the team to enhance a playoff push? Or does he use it to gain more futures?

Rockford Updates

The IceHogs now have 3 goalies on AHL deals: Nalimov, Cale Morris, and Tom Aubrun. Nalimov's presence will help push all goalies -- including Collin Delia and Matt Tomkins -- so one can ideally emerge.

Bringing on a mediocre job hopper in Nalimov does raise eyebrows, though, about why he is getting a shot yet former Blackhawks draft pick Alexis Gravel went unsigned back in the spring.

While Gravel's numbers last season and so far this season with the Halifax Mooseheads in the QMJHL are far from stellar, having another lottery ticket between the pipes is never a bad idea.

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See you on the boards!

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