This afternoon at the United Center, the St. Louis Blues may have taken a step forward as a team. They were the patient, and in some ways more mature team today, riding another brilliant performance by Brian Elliott in net to a 3-2 win, and regaining home ice advantage and a series lead at 2-1.
The Blackhawks shelled Elliott with 46 shots, while his counterpart, Corey Crawford, saw 36. Both goalies were outstanding, the Blues got a tip on one goal and a bounce on another and so it goes.
Regardless, the Blues showed poise, patience and belief in themselves. And now the Hawks have to dig deep and find a way to win Game 4.
Some want to blame Patrick Kane for taking a bad late penalty on a swat with his stick at Alex Pietrangelo. Kane needs to redeem himself for that. And the Hawks need Kane to do that.
Some want to blame Jonathan Toews for not seeing the scoresheet for three games running. Yet Toews was a possession and chance-generating machine today. The Hawks need some bounces and energy and a little more pushback, because Elliott is not giving up any gifts.
Some want to blame Michal Rozsival. But here's something to know—in Joel Quenneville's mind, he's better any available alternative. And he is what he is at this late stage of his career.
Some want to blame Teuvo Teravinen.
Teravainen is not to blame for this loss or that of Game 1. However, he is not driving a strong line, and he has fallen back into timid play without the puck that is costing the Hawks possession. Teravainen's future and upside as a player is something the organization needs to assess this summer.
He has regressed, certainly, from last year's playoff performance where he he had less responsibility and pressure at right wing. Perhaps it is time to recall and re-insert the physical, workmanlike Dennis Rasmussen at 3C.
It's not like the Hawks couldn't have won today's game—they could have. But the old psychology of the St. Louis Blues appears to have changed. Can the Blackhawks overcome that?
Game 4 will shed some light.
All for now,
JJ