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Hawks give a point away but seem to have something going on

October 23, 2019, 8:50 AM ET [639 Comments]
Tyler Cameron
Chicago Blackhawks Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT


The Chicago Blackhawks did not give up a single goal until 1:33 remaining in the 3rd period. After watching the defensive struggles last year, fans would look at that and say "Niiiice."

The problem, however, was that the Hawks only had 1 goal themselves.

The Vegas Golden Knights were playing their 4th game in 6 nights and the Hawks had them on the ropes. It was all but over until Nick Holden slid one under Lehner with the goalie pulled and then Vegas ultimately winning in a shootout.

What a disappointment.

I will say this though, overall, the Hawks played their best game of the year. They played really well in Sunday's loss vs. the Capitals as well. It's not fair they only got 1 point out of those 2 games.

I will say M.A. Fleury was almost single-handedly the reason for the Golden Knights stealing that extra point. He was incredible.

What is promising though is there play in the last 4 games.

First 3 game stats:
0-2-1
9 GF / 3.33 per game
12 GA / 4.00 per game
33% PP
60.0% PK
46.1% CF
43.5% FO


Last 4 game stats:
2-1-1
10 GF / 2.50 per game
10 GA / 2.50 per game
6% PP
84.7% PK
52.2% CF
52.9% FO


You don't even need to look at the trends above to know that the Hawks are playing well.

While last night's loss was a miss of an additional point, you can tell this team has something going on.

As much as I would never trade in the Globetrotting Elite Skill of the 2010 Hawks, it's been fun to see this 2019-20 team compete in a different way.

They continue to hit, block shots and the commitment to team defence is higher than I've seen it in the last 2 years.

I'm not the only one to see this play; check out these comments from someone who has been on the ice and watching from the bench:



"We're going to be very dangerous."

Lehner is confident and I believe they are building towards something as a team but at 2-3-2, they need to start securing more points. It's time to be dangerous now and they might be close.

You've seen the positive trends above and what I am liking is that the Hawks are currently 15th in the league with GAA and 20th overall in GF per game.

I like that because I think we all know that this team can score. Right now, the bottom 6 is outplaying the top 6 and while that's a problem, water always finds it's level.

How good was Brandon Saad last night? Wow. This is the best hockey I've seen him play since his return to Chicago.

There are so many great things working Chicago right now but really need those top scorers to step up. They could have been the difference last night.

Jonathan Toews is frustrated right now. He's not playing great hockey. He needs to be better.

I think it's time to reunite Dylan Strome and Alex DeBrincat. Heck, play Kirby Dach with those guys and put Shaw-Toews-Kane together. Then you leave your bottom 6 as is.

Ryan Carpenter played over 17 mins last night and I'm not even mad! This guy was a nice signing and is turning into a role player for Coach Colliton that you can win with. He's been working relentless all over the ice and dominating at the dot.

The biggest blow from last night was the loss of Connor Murphy. The Hawks had to play through the 3rd period down a dman.

It looks like Murphy will be out "a couple of weeks" with a groin injury. He suffered the same injury in training camp so let's hope this isn't a nagging thing that hinders him all season because Murphy and Keith were settling in nicely as the top pairing the last few games.

Erik Gustafsson is playing with little to no confidence at this time so I would leave him on the 3rd pairing.

My thinking is moving Calvin de Haan up to play his offside and pairing him with Keith. He played a little RD last night and is one of the Hawks better pure defenders and can handle the additional ice time.

Slater Koekkoek will likely draw in next game but there will be an additional body joining the back end. In terms of who they call up from Rockford's, I am sure we will hear today.

Dennis Gilbert has struggled a bit since he was sent back to the AHL. It could very well be him as the Hawks – if they go with my thinking above – would want someone defensively-minded to play with Gus.

Philip Holm, Adam Boqvist and Lucas Carlsson are also options.

I wouldn't mind seeing Adam Boqvist get the call up to play vs. Philly on Thursday and pairing him with Slater Koekkoek while Erik Gustafsson watches a game from the press box.

It's obvious that #56 is struggling right now and think he needs a jolt. The Hawks could really use him on the PP.

EDIT: Dennis Gilbert has been called up from Rockford with Connor Murphy being placed on LTIR.


In net, I think Lehner should get the start on Thursday and if they win that game, give him the next one.

I love Corey Crawford, but the Hawks have been playing better in front of Lehner and CHI needs the points.

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There was a rare in-game trade that took place last night.

The Blackhawks have traded Aleksi Saarela to the Florida Panthers for defenceman Ian McCoshen.

I have heard that Saarela wanted out once he didn't make the Hawks out of training camp. He was not helping create the "right culture" in Rockford so the Hawks cut ties with him.

It's too bad because it seemed like Saarela could have helped the Hawks this year at some point.

In return, the Hawks get (another) defenceman to add to the organizational depth.

McCoshen is a former 2nd rounder (31st overall) and has 60 NHL games under his belt.

He is 24 years old and can skate for a bigger guy (6'3 / 218 lbs). I'm not sure if he will amount to anything but he will join Rockford and hopefully make an impact down there.

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Lastly, I have to say Congrats to #77.

Kirby Dach gets his first goal and at 18 years 274 days young, he's the 6th youngest Blackhawk to do so.



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The Hawks play their "revenge game" on Thursday vs. the Flyers. Looking forward to seeing if the Hawks can keep up their strong play.

See ya out there!

TC

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