The Chicago Blackhawks have had nothing short of an exciting week.
After winning 2 of their last 3 games, the Blackhawks have finally advanced in the Central Division standings.
Last week, the Hawks defeated a point streaking Phoenix Coyotes team and an even tougher opponent, the San Jose Sharks.
Both games resulted in high scoring games for the Hawks, in which the Hawks scored 5 goals each. The only loss came from the Nashville Predators.
Goalie Nikolai Khabibulin was given the job in net for the night while Crawford was given the night off.
However, after letting up 2 goals in the 1st period, Khabibulin was injured after taking a slapshot from Predators’ defenseman Shea Weber.
Crawford then took over to let up an additional 5 goals, giving the Hawks a 7-2 defeat.
However, with Colorado on a 3-game losing streak for the first time this season, the Hawks were offered an opportunity to which they took in stride.
Colorado’s struggles actually opened up the top three positions in the Central’s standings giving St. Louis, Minnesota, and Chicago the opportunity to advance.
Chicago now holds first place in the standings with a record of 14-3-4 and 32 points (as of 11/17/2013).
Minnesota follows with 30 points, St. Louis with 29 points, Colorado with 28, Dallas with 24, Winnipeg with 22, and Nashville with 20.
Although the Hawks have claimed the No. 1 spot in the division, they will have to keep their point streak going in order to hang on to their lead.
With Minny and St. Louis creeping up in the standings, the Hawks must take play at the top of their game in order to beat their upcoming opponents.
The Hawks will square off against the Colorado Avalanche, Winnipeg Jets, and Vancouver Canucks in this upcoming week.
Two of the three opponents are from the Central Division while the Vancouver Canucks will be a tough opponent to beat, given the intensity between the two teams.
Blackhawks News
Aside from advancing in the standings, the Hawks have come across some more exciting developments.
On Thursday night, November 14, the Blackhawks traded forward Jimmy Hayes and defenseman Dylan Olsen to the Florida Panthers in exchange for forward Kris Versteeg.
Kris Versteeg was apart of Chicago’s hockey team from 2007-10 after being acquired from the Boston Bruins.
He played a significant role on the 2010 Stanley Cup Championship team for the Hawks as he registered 14 points in the 22 post-season games leading the Hawks to their first Stanley Cup in almost 50 years.
Sadly, Versteeg was traded away during the offseason after winning the Cup due to salary cap restrictions.
Since then, Versteeg has played with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Philadelphia Flyers, and the Florida Panthers.
I am sure I am not alone I saying that I am so excited that Versteeg is back in a Hawks’ sweater.
He brings a lot of experience, offensive and defensive skill to the lineup. He can also be used on the Hawks’ specialty units, especially the struggling penalty kill unit.
This trade was a win in my book. The experience and skill of Versteeg outweighs the “potential” that Hayes and Olsen had to offer.
Jimmy Hayes never really amounted to the expectations the Blackhawks had for him. Although he was a good player and contributed some good things for the Hawks, he just couldn’t make the cut.
This made Hayes expendable along with Dylan Olsen. Olsen was a 1st Round Draft Pick that never really amounted to anything.
For being a 29th pick overall, Olsen was used more as a trade asset than an effective defenseman.
Hopefully those guys work out for Florida. In the meantime, we Hawks fans will be loving the return of Kris Versteeg.
In other news, the Blackhawks have decided to reassign forward Brad Mills to Rockford.
I expect him to stay in Rockford for the time being, as long as the Hawks do not sustain any more injuries.
Also, due to Khabibulin’s injury, the Hawks have recalled goaltender Antti Raanta from Rockford.
Hopefully, when the time comes, 24 year-old Raanta can give Corey Crawford a solid effort as a backup in net. Raanta was named one of Finland’s top three players by tournament coaches in 2013.
It would be nice to see him get some playing time so long as he plays up to his potential.
Speaking of injuries, forward Marian Hossa was left out of Sunday’s lineup against the Sharks due to an upper-body injury.
No time frame was disclosed for the injury, but knowing Hossa, he may be out for some time.
Hopefully Hossa is not out for too long, but the main thing at this point in the season is getting completely healthy so that later complications do not arise when it comes time for playoffs.
Frank’s Three Stars of the Week
1st: Brandon Pirri
2nd: Patrick Sharp
3rd: Patrick Kane
Pirri: Brandon Pirri has turned up his game as of late. Last week I mentioned that I knew he had it in him to start producing more and, well, I guess he must have listened! The 22 year-old forward has registered 4 points in his last 3 games. These points came from 3 goals and an assist. Recently, Pirri has found a knack for being near the puck at the right time. These kind of players are the most dangerous, especially when they are on a point streak! Keep it up Pirri, we need you to keep producing.
Sharp: Sharp has continued producing at an amazing rate. He has 9 points in his last 5 games, 4 of them coming from his last 3 games played. He scored 2 goals against San Jose, including his first career penalty shot goal on goaltender Antti Niemi. He also contributed an assist against the Sharks giving him a 3-point night. Sharpie is on a roll, lets hope he continues showing us how it’s done.
Kane: Patrick Kane also has 4 points in his last 3 games and 7 in his last 5 games. Although Kane is known for is scoring, he has contributed his points in the form of 3 assists and only 1 goal in his last 3 games. Although everyone enjoys watching Kaner score, it is good to see him assisting others.
Frank Markasovic
Sports Editor