Game 28: Hawks 4, Stars 2 (blackhawks)

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Game 28: Hawks 4, Stars 2

By Theo Fox

Mar 12, 2021 • 3:50 am

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The Blackhawks avenged their 6-1 whipping by the Stars on Tuesday by doubling them up 4-2 last night on solid goaltending by Kevin Lankinen, stronger special teams, and better defense including 20 shot blocks.

Lankinen was locked in between the pipes making 28 saves while also seeing 59 shot attempts and 31 scoring chances. On special teams, the power play went 2-for-5 while the penalty kill was perfect at 5-for-5.

Dominik Kubalik, Carl Soderberg, Duncan Keith, and Alex DeBrincat tallied for the Hawks on 8 shots through two periods. The Hawks had 4 shots in each the 1st and 2nd periods then 8 alone in the 3rd.

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Starting Lineup

The starting lineup saw Ian Mitchell scratched for a second straight game as Nicolas Beaudin slotted in for him and Lucas Wallmark took Reese Johnson's place:

Scoring Recap

1st Goal: Kubalik (1-0)

2nd Goal: Soderberg (2-0) PP

3rd Goal: Keith (3-0)

4th Goal: DeBrincat (4-0) PP

5th Goal: Hintz (4-1)

6th Goal: Klingberg (4-2)

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Game Notes

Inside Positioning

It's peculiar how the blueliners who are consistent at gaining inside positioning on the opponent are the youngsters. While the veterans do patrol the slot, they too often let the opponent get behind them.

Not Sealing Lanes

Whenever the Stars carried the puck along the boards, the Chicago defenders frequently let them squeeze by instead of sealing off the lane. A hit isn't always in order but at least get a body in the way.

Poor Passing Plague

The Hawks as a whole continue to struggle with connecting with tape-to-tape passes whether short or long ones. What's more is the fact that many inaccurate passes were unforced errors.

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Player Notes

Nicolas Beaudin

Beaudin had a decent defensive showing with net front coverage, inside positioning, and tight checking along the boards. However, he still struggled with performing when pressured.

Dominik Kubalik

Kubalik seemed shot out of a cannon on several offensive drives. He used his strength and size to plow through defenses and find open seams to get cocked and ready to hammer pucks.

Lucas Wallmark

Last night was Wallmark's best game after returning from the NHL COVID-19 Protocol List. He played intelligently at both ends of the ice, creating offensively and defending reliably.

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Rockford Updates

Despite the Griffins winning 3-1, Matt Tomkins played a sharp game for the IceHogs making 29 saves. He soaked up pucks rarely giving up any rebounds. His defense was largely to blame for the goals against.

Starting Lineup

Game Recap
1st Goal

Dmitry Osipov poorly placed a clear of the puck in his end that landed on a Griffins stick and eventually got to top AHL goal scorer Riley Barber who potted one from the top of the circles.

2nd Goal: Criscuolo (0-2)

Evan Barratt blocked Gustav Lindstrom's shot from the right circle but it changed direction to throw off Tomkins which left Kyle Criscuolo open to tuck it home on the left side.

3rd Goal: Lashoff (0-3)

After splitting 3 defenders up the middle, Brian Lashoff received Tyler Spezia's behind-the-back, between-the-legs pass from the left circle and deposited the puck through Tomkins' five hole.

4th Goal: Busdeker (1-3)

Michael Krutil's wrister from the right circle first hit a defender attempting to block the shot then got deflected by teammate D.J. Busdeker to fool Griffins goalie Pat Nagle.

Player Notes

Cody Franson has zero pace to his game except when he's on the power play. He's far from a good role model defensively.

Alec Regula needs a greater sense of urgency to retreat when the puck turns over in his offensive end and heads the other way.

Tim Soderlund has impressive energy and speed but needs to use his teammates more rather than hold the puck too long.

Tom Aubrun returns to the Hogs after being loaned to the Indy Fuel and rejoins Tomkins, Cale Morris, and Ivan Nalimov.

Chad Krys is out for the season and has one more year left on his ELC which may be his last chance to impress.

See you on the boards!

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