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Game 17: Hawks 3, Wings 2 |
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The Blackhawks and Red Wings were mired in a tight affair with its share of offensive pressure and sloppy play by both squads. Malcolm Subban and Thomas Greiss each kept their teams in it.
Dominik Kubalik ended his 4-game goal-scoring drought netting a pair including the overtime game winner to seal the 3-2 victory for the Hawks who are now even at 4 wins and 4 losses in OT.
The PP was nullified going 0-for-3 and continues to gradually regress toward a sustainable season pace. However, the PK went 2-for-2 and trending upward again to the top third in the NHL.
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Starting Lineup
The starting lineup included the return of Lucas Wallmark from COVID protocol and Reese Johnson getting his second straight start:
And the starters for the opening shift:
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Scoring Recap
1st Goal: Janmark (1-0)
After Philipp Kurashev and Nikita Zadorov kept the play in the zone, Carl Soderberg drew 3 defenders to him and sent a behind-the-back pass to Mattias Janmark on the opposite side.
2nd Goal: Kubalik (2-0)
Excellent hustle by Brandon Hagel created this goal as he recovered the puck in the neutral zone, chipped it to himself off the boards, and centered it to Kubalik who redirected it home.
3rd Goal: Namestnikov (2-1)
Vladislav Namestnikov sent a pass that hit Patrik Nemeth's skate and careened back to his side where he lunged to poke the puck past Subban. Nicolas Beaudin got caught puck watching.
4th Goal: Djoos (2-2)
After taking a feed from Frans Nielsen, Christian Djoos worked his way down the center lane, deked around Alex DeBrincat, waited for Subban to commit low, and wired the puck top shelf.
5th Goal: Kubalik (3-2) OT
Beaudin drew 2 defenders to him in the corner in the Hawks end then got the puck to Pius Suter springing him loose with Kubalik on a 2-on-1 the other way. Kubalik buried Suter's dish to win it.
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Other Plays
Net Coverage
The Hawks are improving at having someone constantly in the slot to protect the net. Whoever is there gets inside positioning, engages physically, and gives the goalie clear looks.
Another area that is improving is not getting baited to vacate the slot by chasing the puck behind the net. Defenders are also increasingly playing the body along the boards and in open ice.
Controlled Exits
Despite improvements in defensive coverage, the Hawks need to work on controlled exits. There is too much ringing of the puck around the boards or stretch passes where neither connect.
Aimless ringing and long passes tend to end up in either a direct turnover or a 50/50 puck. Quick shorter passes as teammates work hard to get open would be an obvious viable solution.
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Player Notes
Malcolm Subban
Although getting better in each successive start, Subban still needs to improve his rebound control either by gobbling up the puck outright or redirecting shots to safer areas on the ice.
Brandon Hagel
Hagel seems to literally be a puck magnet as the biscuit just finds him. Part of this skill is his active stick and hustle but another part is his ability to read plays and anticipate.
Philipp Kurashev
Kurashev continues to defy his critics who have previously questioned his capacity to push the pace. One way he is doing this is by keeping his feet moving and being strong on the puck.
Reese Johnson
Averaging a hit every minute and a half of ice time with 17 hits in a little over 25 minutes of TOI across 3 games, Johnson is making his presence felt despite limited deployment.
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Rockford Updates
Game Day
While the Blackhawks started a 6-game road trip last night, the IceHogs begin a 4-game homestand tonight hosting the Chicago Wolves at the BMO Center. Game time is 6:00pm CST.
MacKenzie Entwistle
MacKenzie Entwistle's reassignment to Rockford will be good for him to actually play. He's gotten great experience practicing with NHL players but that can only go so far for his development.
While he is projected to be a bottom 6 forward at the NHL level, Entwistle should play top 6 minutes for the Hogs. He is also a weapon on both special teams and in key defensive situations.
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See you on the boards!
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