The Blackhawks remain winless in Miami as the Panthers swept them with a 6-3 victory after scoring 5 unanswered goals including 2 empty netters. Just another example of the Hawks inability to hold leads.
Kevin Lankinen again played strong making 32 saves but -- as the story goes -- had little help defensively. The PK went 1-for-3, the PP gave up a shortie, and the faceoffs were horrendous at 25-for-65.
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Starting Lineup
The starting lineup had the same players but the forwards were mixed up again as David Kampf advanced to the 1st line:
Blackhawks' lines first time through the order, featuring some changes:
— Ben Pope (@BenPopeCST) March 15, 2021
DeBrincat-Kampf-Kane
Kubalik-Suter-Hagel
Janmark-Soderberg-Kurashev
Highmore-Carpenter-Wallmark
De Haan-Boqvist
Keith-Murphy
Zadorov-Mitchell
Lankinen
Let's drop the puck!@budlight | #CHIvsFLA pic.twitter.com/Yi3mlHYjPs
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) March 15, 2021
Scoring Recap
1st Goal: Kane (1-0)
Think fast!
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) March 15, 2021
Turnover = forced. Goal = scored. @NBCSChicago | #CHIvsFLA pic.twitter.com/PpPdJHdizD
2nd Goal: Tippett (1-1) PP
Tipp tac toe 💥 pic.twitter.com/Bu7R7yUutY
— Florida Panthers (@FlaPanthers) March 15, 2021
3rd Goal: Kurashev (2-1)
Can you Phil the love tonight?
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) March 16, 2021
Philipp Kurashev ends his goal drought with one heck of a shot! @NBCSChicago | #CHIvsFLA pic.twitter.com/DhstAkl0za
4th Goal: Hagel (3-1)
Brandon Hagel earned this one and that's all we have to say about that. @NBCSChicago | #CHIvsFLA pic.twitter.com/EfFqTK2dKQ
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) March 16, 2021
5th Goal: Ekblad (3-2) PP
AARON EKBLAD. THAT'S ALL. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/1zoMcNJKWf
— Florida Panthers (@FlaPanthers) March 16, 2021
6th Goal: Forsling (3-3)
First as a Cat and it's a big one 🙌 pic.twitter.com/bVAp9ocYw5
— Florida Panthers (@FlaPanthers) March 16, 2021
7th Goal: Barkov (3-4) SH
Luck of the Finnish â˜˜ï¸ pic.twitter.com/pGzz2qIG0y
— Florida Panthers (@FlaPanthers) March 16, 2021
8th Goal: Verhaeghe (3-5) EN
(No video available)
The first ENG started with a bad pass to the middle by Alex DeBrincat in his offensive zone.
9th Goal: Wennberg (3-6) EN
(No video available)
The second ENG was the result of the Panthers winning a board battle first to free up the puck.
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Game Notes
Help Yourself
NOT TO-DAY! What a save Kevin Lankinen (@KLankinen)! pic.twitter.com/T79d03DOc2
— NHL (@NHL) March 16, 2021
Board Rushes
The Blackhawks struggled with stopping the puck carrier rushing along the boards. Instead of just getting in the way, go for the hit.
Lateral Passes
Especially on PP, the Hawks made ill-advised lateral passes at the blueline which either led to offsides or turnovers.
Zone Entries
Whether lateral passes or other methods, the Hawks clearly need to find new ways to enter the zone on the PP. Simply brutal.
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Player Notes
Philipp Kurashev
Kurashev not only has underrated strength but also an underrated shot. It's powerful and accurate and whipped from anywhere.
Brandon Hagel
Hagel's trio of goals this season have been the garbage variety as he crashes the crease and fights for inside positioning.
Alex DeBrincat
DeBrincat needs to stop defaulting to Kane in the offensive zone which often leads to him committing unforced errors and turnovers.
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Rockford Updates
The IceHogs finish up a road trip in Grand Rapids with a game this evening against the Griffins then head back home to host the Iowa Wild on Friday and Saturday before being off for a whole week.
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See you on the boards!