Kevin Lankinen was a wall in net leading the Blackhawks to 3-0 victory and a sweep of the Panthers with a 41-save shutout including several outstanding stops one of which was on a 3-on-0 late in the 2nd.
Another key factor in the game was Nikita Zadorov turning in one of his best games in the Chicago sweater playing a physical brand of hockey that set a tone, agitated the opposition, and left lots of marks.
Both special teams for the Hawks also contributed to the win as the power play went 1-for-3 on better puck movement and the penalty kill was a perfect 6-for-6 on clogging and shutting down lanes.
HE DID THE THING AGAIN!
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) March 26, 2021
Congrats to Kevin Lankinen on his second career shutout! #CHIvsFLA pic.twitter.com/095TwyfUl0
Kevin Lankinen denies the Panthers on a
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) March 26, 2021
*checks notes*
*squints*
*checks again this time*
3-on-😮!#LankTheTank@NBCSChicago | #CHIvsFLA pic.twitter.com/PawnocbDSE
Starting Lineup
The starting lineup had only one change being Matthew Highmore in for MacKenzie Entwistle:
#Blackhawks lineup vs. Panthers:
— Charlie Roumeliotis (@CRoumeliotis) March 25, 2021
DeBrincat-Suter-Kane
Kubalik-Kampf-Hagel
Janmark-Carpenter-Strome
Highmore-Soderberg-Kurashev
Zadorov-Murphy
Keith-Mitchell
de Haan-Boqvist
Lankinen
Subban
LAST CALL FOR GAME SNACKS!
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) March 26, 2021
Grab 'em now, then head to your official #Blackhawks watching couch.@budlight | #CHIvsFLA pic.twitter.com/fFYCFONm1K
Scoring Recap
1st Goal: Kane (1-0) PP
Kaner the Cleanup Crew@NBCSChicago | #CHIvsFLA pic.twitter.com/YWPQQOvXCR
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) March 26, 2021
2nd Goal: Suter (2-0)
💫Snazzy Suter💫 We are living for this spin move at the end* @NBCSChicago | #CHIvsFLA
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) March 26, 2021
*ð˜¸ð˜©ð˜¦ð˜µð˜©ð˜¦ð˜³ ð˜©ð˜¦ ð˜¥ð˜ªð˜¥ ð˜ªð˜µ ð˜§ð˜°ð˜³ ð˜´ð˜µð˜ºð˜ð˜¦ ð˜±ð˜°ð˜ªð˜¯ð˜µð˜´ ð˜°ð˜³ ð˜¯ð˜°ð˜µ pic.twitter.com/uRdQPCQv3g
3rd Goal: Hagel (3-0) EN
(No video available)
Hagel put the final nail in the coffin with an empty netter from the top of the circles in the Hawks end.
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Game Notes
FINAL: #Blackhawks 3, Panthers 0
— Charlie Roumeliotis (@CRoumeliotis) March 26, 2021
Shot attempts: 73-34 FLA
Shots on goal: 41-21 FLA
5-on-5 scoring chances: 23-10 FLA
5-on-5 high danger chances: 9-3 FLA pic.twitter.com/haAhn5LZV8
Despite being peppered and making his own saves in a contest where the Panthers dominated in the realm of shots and scoring chances, the Hawks team defense also helped Lankinen's cause by blocking 22 shots.
Penalty Kill
While the penalty kill was another factor in the 3-0 shutout going 6-for-6, the Hawks took too many penalties including 2 for tripping, 2 for delay of game, one for slashing, and one for interference.
Send a Message
The hit that Zadorov landed to punish Patric Hornqvist for hounding Lankinen after covering the puck is the kind of message that the Hawks need to send to opponents in order to protect their teammates.
Answer the Bell
Another message-sending hit by Ryan Carpenter led to MacKenzie Weegar picking a fight that he couldn't finish as Carpenter downed him with an uppercut. Play physical and be ready to stand up for yourself.
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Player Notes
Adam Boqvist
Although he's the least strong of the defensemen, Boqvist is the most consistent at maintaining inside positioning in his zone and staying aware of where opponents are in and around the slot.
Ian Mitchell
Having the lowest TOI of the blueliners at a shade over 12 minutes, Ian Mitchell still made those minutes count with steady defense and better passing with more short passes and less long bombs.
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See you on the boards!