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As has often been the case with the Blackhawks over the last few seasons, adversity has brought out their best 6 games into a tough West Coast road trip.
Last night at the Honda Center, the Hawks played arguably their best defensive games of the season, shutting out the Anaheim Ducks, 2-0.
Niklas Hjalmarsson and Michal Rozsival had 10 shot blocks between them, and at one time Anaheim held a 15-3 shot margin. Corey Crawford tracked the puck exceptionally well all night, but the Ducks helped by missing the net quite a bit. The Hawks killed all five penalties against them, including a 5-on-3, and are now 22nd in the league, which is remarkable only because they have languished in the 28-29 range much of the season.
Marian Hossa had a goal (a nice one) and an assist to pace the Hawks offensively. Jonathan Toews had a similar goal, making a nice move around an Anaheim defender and placing the puck over the shoulder of a hapless Jonas Hiller.
Chicago was also 54% in the faceoff circle.
The Hawks are now 3-0-2 on the road trip, going into Phoenix tomorrow night. Patrick Kane will miss the game, having had to return to his hometown of Buffalo, NY for the funeral of his grandfather.
I'll be back tomorrow with a preview of the Coyotes' game.
JJ