The Chicago Blackhawks are red hot right now! In the last week and a half they have accumulated a six game winning streak. All of these wins came from Western Conference opponents as well. You can say that the Hawks dominated their 7-game road trip with 6 wins and only 1 loss.
This past week, the Hawks played a total of 4 games in just 6 days. The Hawks played the following teams in chronological order: Edmonton Oilers, Calgary Flames, Dallas Stars, and the Phoenix Coyotes.
The Hawks started the week with a dominating win over the Oilers in what ended as a 5-1 victory. Although the Oilers are in last in the Western Conference and 27th in the NHL, the Hawks needed to start the week off with a dominating win, regardless of the opponent. This win got the ball rolling for the Hawks as they ventured to their next game while on the road.
Next up for the Hawks was the Calgary Flames. This game was awesome to watch, as the Hawks were down 2-0 in the 3rd period when Patrick Kane scored a goal almost halfway through the period. This sparked the energy that brought the Hawks their victory as Patrick Sharp scored just 56 seconds after Kane did. Then, just as the game neared the end of regulation and appeared to be heading into overtime, Patrick Kane scored the game-winning goal with just 18 seconds to spare on the clock.
The Hawks’ next victory came from the Dallas Stars. This game also came down to the wire as the Stars lead the game 1-0 until Patrick Sharp scored off a deflection in the 3rd period. The game went into overtime and ended scoreless resulting in a shoot out. Patrick Sharp tallied for the Hawks in the 2nd round but was matched by Rich Peverley as he tied the shoot out in the 3rd round. To many fans’ surprise, the shoot out went to round 11 when Ben Smith scored the game winner.
Finally, the Hawks ended their week against the Coyotes in Phoenix. The Hawks started off on the right foot as they took a 3-0 lead in the 1st period with tallies from Kane, Shaw, and Hjalmarsson. In the 2nd period the Coyotes made an effort to even the game as they scored twice making the score 3-2 at the end of the period. Although Phoenix remained hopeful, the Hawks has different plans as Bollig and Hossa scored a goal each making the final score a 5-2 victory.
This 7-game road trip could have been bad for the Hawks, as it is hard to win on the road. However, they came out on top and earned crucial points that have put them on top of the league for now. With a record of 20-4-4 and a point total of 44 (as of 12/2/2013) the Hawks have put themselves in a good position to dominate the standings.
However, as we all know, in this long hockey season, anything could happen. So long as the Hawks keep putting up points, they will remain at the top. But, in such a competitive division and conference, any point slump will yield a drop in the standings.
Blackhawks News
With goalie Nikolai Khabibulin injured and starter Corey Crawford well over-worked, the Blackhawks have recently turned to rookie Antti Raanta to take control in net. Raanta was granted his first start against the Calgary Flames last Wednesday. Antti Raanta played well in my opinion as he saved 20 of 22 shots on goal.
Antti also finished the week by starting his 2nd NHL game against the Phoenix Coyotes. He continued to impress me as he saved 32 of the 34 shots on goal. He now has seen the same amount of ice-time as Khabibulin and has a GAA of 2.16, save percentage of 9.17% and has won 2 of his 2 games he has started.
I expect to see a lot more of Antti Raanta this season as Crawford can only do so much single-handedly. Not to mention, Khabibulin is an absolute joke of a backup goalie in my mind, he’s 41 years old and can only do so much aside from the fact of being injured.
I believe that Raanta is the right backup for the Hawks and this is not based off his 2-game performance. This is because he is a young and developing goalie that can learn a lot from Crawford and can really benefit from this experience while playing up with the Hawks.
In other news, forward Jeremy Morin has been sent back down to the Rockford IceHogs With just 3 assists in his 9 games played and no significant injuries, Morin really has no place in the starting lineup.
As said before, I don’t believe that Jeremy Morin will be seen too much more this season unless, of course, there are injuries. However, I still believe that Jeremy Morin may be on the trade block for the Hawks. With all the upcoming talent the Hawks have in the pipeline and Morin’s lack of offensive stats, I think Morin could be used in a solid late season trade or perhaps in the future.
Also, it has been said that defenceman Michael Kostka should be returning from injury quite soon.
Whether or not he will play when he is healthy is still a question we will be waiting to have answered. Although Kostka only played in a handful of games, I remember him being pretty decent for the Hawks.
I imagine Kostka serving as a healthy scratch or even being sent down to Rockford when he returns.
Frank’s Three Stars of the Week
1st: Duncan Keith
2nd: Patrick Kane
3rd: Corey Crawford
Keith: Keith has recorded 6 assists in his last 4 games. He has contributed a lot offensively for the Hawks and actually has the 3rd most assists in the whole NHL. That includes forwards and defenseman, which goes to show how well Keith has played this season. He was also named the NHL’s Third Star of the Week. Keep it up Duncs!
Kane: Patrick Kane continues to produce offensively and has just come off a 12-game point streak. This streak was broken against Dallas last week, but regardless, Kane has been performing like the Kaner we all know and love. He has registered 4 goals and 1 assist in his last 4 games, 2 goals of which were game-winners. Kane leads the Hawks in points and is 3rd in the NHL in goals scored with 16.
Crawford: Corey has been solid in net for the Blackhawks this season. In his past 4 games he has won all 4, has only had 6 goals against and has recorded 110 saves. Crawford leads the NHL in wins, which does him some justice in the way he has played for the Hawks recently.
Frank Markasovic
Sports Editor