Today is a brief blog with a look at a few storylines to keep tabs on over the final 8 games for the Blackhawks. Will their coach finally turn into a pumpkin and smash their hopes of a playoff berth?
1) Will more youth be served? If so, which youngsters will gain playing time and which veterans will sit?
2) How will playing time be shared between Kevin Lankinen and Malcolm Subban? Will Collin Delia ever get another start?
3) Is it possible for Patrick Kane and Duncan Keith to round out the season on a high note? Or are they just going through the motions?
4) With the penalty kill on the upswing, will the power play follow suit? Will Jeremy Colliton be open to trying new systems at even strength?
5) If the Hawks do end up failing to make the postseason, where will they end up in the overall NHL standings? And how will that impact their place in the entry draft?
These are storylines for the remainder of this season. The offseason and ramp up to the next season will surely have many more storylines with none more important and anticipated as the status of team captain Jonathan Toews.
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Rockford Updates
The IceHogs won just their 2nd road game of the season besting the Wild by a score of 5-3 in a physical affair with fights by Mitchell Fossier and Evan Barratt.
Starting Lineup
Scoring Recap
1st Goal: McLeod (0-1)
Not only did Dmitry Osipov lose a battle for the puck against Cody McLeod behind the net but he also didn't stick with him. As a result, McLeod was able to convert successfully on a wraparound.
2nd Goal: Busdeker (1-1)
Dylan McLaughlin momentarily lost the puck along the boards but recovered it then cycled around the top half of the offensive zone before sending a shot on net that D.J. Busdeker redirected home.
3rd Goal: Osipov (2-1)
Osipov first sailed a shot wide that Carson Gicewicz recovered and broke free from the defender to get the puck back to the point for Osipov to rattle off the post then off the goalie's back and in.
4th Goal: Dumont (2-2)
The Hogs lost a few 50/50 battles behind the net as the Wild worked the puck to the high slot where Gabriel Dumont got his initial shot blocked by Reese Johnson but tucked in the rebound.
5th Goal: Busdeker (3-2)
McLaughlin and Busdeker teamed up again as McLaughlin carried the puck from the circles in their end to the circles at the other end then fired a shot that got saved but Busdeker cashed in the rebound.
6th Goal: McLaughlin (4-2) PP
Cody Franson, MacKenzie Entwistle, and McLaughlin moved the puck from high to low to high on the power play before McLaughlin powered home a wrister from the top of the left circle.
7th Goal: Dewar (4-3)
Connor Dewar worked the puck from his end down to the slot on the other end then slid it over to Matthew Boldy at the doorstep for a shot. Ivan Nalimov made a stop but Dewar dove to bang in the puck.
8th Goal: Mitchell (5-3) EN
Garrett Mitchell added an empty netter at the end.
Player Notes
McLaughlin's goal and 2 assists moved him into a tie with Cody Franson for the team lead in points at 16 in 20 games (5 goals, 11 assists).
With his pair of goals, Busdeker is now tied with McLaughlin for 2nd on the team with 5 goals behind Chris Wilkie who has 7.
While Fossier's fight was a garden variety tussle preceded by pushing and shoving, Barratt's fight was instigated by Will Bitten who took offense to Barratt laying a legal open-ice hit on Dewar.
Michal Teply is growing more comfortable on the ice as his skating looks more confident and his shooting and playmaking are ramping up.
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See you on the boards!
Chicago Blackhawks Blogger • 
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