Mortal Combat (blackhawks)

blackhawks

Mortal Combat

By Theo Fox

Mar 23, 2021 • 3:16 am

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It's evident that the Blackhawks have hit a wall after a blistering start to the 2021 season storming to a 4th place perch in the temporary new-look Central Division. The Hawks are now in 5th after getting into a tailspin this month going 2-6-1 so far and losing the last 4.

The beginning of the season was just as bad starting off 0-3-1 before ramping up and ending January 3-4-3. February was phenomenal as the Hawks recorded a 9-3-1 record and didn't lose a game by more than one goal in five weeks dating back to the third game of the year.

Head coach Jeremy Colliton and crew have a team composed of a few veterans surrounded by a robust number of newbies, sophomores, and rookies buying into the team-first mentality and living up to the professed modus operandi based on work ethic and compete level.

All of this was accomplished while top centers Jonathan Toews and Kirby Dach have been out all season along with winger Alex Nylander. Center depth also took a hit when Dylan Strome went down with concussion symptoms which also knocked out all-terrain forward Andrew Shaw.

Franchise player Patrick Kane has been turning in a campaign worthy of the Hart Trophy for league MVP, snipers Alex DeBrincat and Dominik Kubalik have evolved into stronger three-zone players, and the youngsters have collectively surprised by swimming rather than sinking.

Even the goalie question mark seems to have been answered by a dependable tandem in Kevin Lankinen and Malcolm Subban. Collin Delia may have faltered but IceHogs starter Matt Tomkins has surged of late to possibly leapfrog up the depth chart as the 3rd string tender.

So with that first-half success in a season that was projected by fans and pundits to be cellar-dwelling all year long, did the Hawks peak early with their rebuilding resurgence or have they just hit a tentative lull in the journey with another wave coming soon?

No doubt, the Hawks have fallen back to earth with even Kane being a mere mortal over the past weeks. Regardless of the final scores, the team has remained competitive especially against the powerhouse Lightning and Panthers as well as Western Conference champion Stars.

That capacity to battle through the growing pains of a rebuild is one reason why the wall may not be insurmountable for the Hawks to bust through and make valiant strides toward reclaiming a playoff berth when all others have penciled them as a non-contender from the start.

While the Hawks may not be the most talented team from top to bottom, the team philosophy had them going places and proving doubters wrong. It worked once so it's not out of the question to work again. Some argue that while talent may slump, work ethic and compete level do not.

Another reason why the Hawks may be losing a lot of battles right now but could ultimately come back in the war is the possibility for Toews and Dach to return to the lineup. Toews' timeline is unknown still but Dach could be fully healed and cleared to play as early as April.

Assuming for a second that both rejoin the team this season, forward depth improves immensely and all forwards start to slot more appropriately so that they can perform to their water level in a sustainable fashion. Consider this as revamped forward depth:

DeBrincat - Dach - Kane Suter - Toews - Kubalik Janmark - Strome - Kurashev Hagel - Soderberg - Wallmark Highmore - Kampf - Carpenter

Of course, a few players could be shipped out at the TDL and some need to be healthy scratches or on the taxi squad. The possibilities for forward lines are much better when Toews and Dach are part of the equation. Don't forget Shaw isn't fully out of commission either.

Barring any trades, the blueline and goaltending are pretty much set:

Keith - Mitchell de Haan - Murphy Zadorov - Boqvist

Lankinen Subban

Playing out of their minds with Herculean efforts for a full season was definitely not practical for the Hawks. But working hard and competing for every puck on every shift no matter who the personnel is at least keeps them alive and kicking until the very end.

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Roster Updates

Reese Johnson was also reassigned to the IceHogs. In Saturday's game versus the Lightning, he was inconsequential in a chippy affair that could have used the hard hitting and feistiness he is known for.

Brandon Pirri and John Quenneville are tailor made for the taxi squad so it's suitable for them to be on it again. Their development won't be harmed by being practice players who can sub in if necessary.

Moving rookie Alec Regula up to the varsity team is likely just to make room for Beaudin, Carlsson, Kalynuk, and Bowey in Rockford than a merit-based recall as Regula still has a growth curve to get through.

Same with Mikael Hakkarainen who is in his second tour of duty on the taxi squad. While not a horrible prospect by any means, he also doesn't stand out which he needs to given the glut of bottom-6 prospects.

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Rockford Updates

The IceHogs fell to the Iowa Wild by a score of 5-3 even though power play movement and ability to make quick successive short passes on the breakout are better than what the Blackhawks have executed lately.

Starting Lineup

Scoring Recap
1st Goal

Poor PK structure led to Lucas Carlsson having to defend the slot against 2 Wild players including eventual goal scorer Gerry Mayhew.

2nd Goal: Franson (1-1)

Reese Johnson won the draw getting it back to Cody Franson at center ice who fired a long-range slapper that beat Wild goalie Hunter Jones.

3rd Goal: Entwistle (2-1) PP

While parked in the high slot, MacKenzie Entwistle redirected Franson's shot from the top of the key and down central avenue.

4th Goal: Mayhew (2-2)

Mayhew got a wrap-around to go against Matt Tomkins from the left side. Tomkins made the initial stop but the puck somehow trickled in.

5th Goal: Mitchell (3-2)

The Hogs moved the puck around the entire perimeter of the zone before Mitch Fossier set up Garrett Mitchell in the left dot.

6th Goal: Sheehy (3-3)

With Anton Lindholm on him like a blanket, Tyler Sheehy crashed the crease and got a blade on Gabriel Dumont's centering feed.

7th Goal: Dumont (3-4)

As Bowey and Lindholm covered the same Wild player in front, Dumont broke free to receive the puck and deposit it from the left circle.

8th Goal: Shaw (3-5) EN

Mason Shaw scored an empty netter from the neutral zone.

Player Notes

Beaudin played a fairly poised and balanced game with solid defensive coverage and up-ice carries to lead breakouts.

Bowey was lackadaisical on defense allowing opponents to gain inside positioning and not playing with pace in his end.

Carlsson flexed his defensive muscles clearing the crease and battling in corners. He also made smart pinches on offense, too.

Kalynuk turned in a similar effort as Beaudin with reliable defensive work and swift mail carrying to move the puck confidently.

Johnson was an impact forward playing physical and agitating. He also executed aggressive lacrosse-style faceoffs.

Although on an AHL contract, Dylan McLaughlin is one the Blackhawks may want to watch. Intelligent and silky smooth in all zones.

Despite average skating, Michal Teply is still deceptively effective and strong on the forecheck by using his long reach.

Noticeable all game, Evan Barratt churned out impeccable hustle each shift and sacrificed his body to make plays at both ends.

Using speed and shiftiness, Andrei Altybarmakian and Tim Soderlund were all over the ice disrupting plays, winning battles, and creating chances.

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See you on the boards!

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