Recap: Wild 2, Blackhawks 1

  

The Blackhawks started fast last night, but seemed to run out of gas in the latter two periods of the second game of a road/home back-to-back.

 

The Chicago Blackhawks squandered a hot start, dropping a 2–1 decision to the Minnesota Wild Wednesday night at the United Center. The United Center ice seemed to be tilted in the first period. The Hawk offense was buzzing, generating quality scoring chances throughout the frame. Chicago fired 14 shots on goal to Minnesota’s five.

The Blackhawks broke through 12 minutes into the game when Brent Seabrook chipped in a rebound from below the goal line for his second tally of the season. The goal came on the heels of the first healthy scratch of Seabrook’s career, certainly boosting the defenseman’s confidence and creating an early feel-good vibe in the game.

Despite the strong offensive showing from the Hawks—an astounding 39–11 shot attempts advantage—Minnesota goalie Devan Dubnyk stifled the Blackhawks the rest of the period, keeping the game within reach for the Wild.

Minnesota came out for the second period reinvigorated, creating scoring chances throughout the frame. Blackhawks goalie Anton Forsberg denied a net front shot from Wild forward Jason Zucker off a nice cross-ice pass from Minnesota captain Mikko Koivu. The Wild finally cashed in on a shot from the point by Jonas Brodin midway through the period. Brodin’s fourth goal of the season deflected off Blackhawks forward Tommy Wingels, and Forsberg was unable to react in time to make the save. After 40 minutes, the United Center scoreboard read 1–1, with the shots favoring Chicago 23–15.

The third period proved to be pretty even in play, but the Wild got the breaks. Wild defenseman Ryan Suter sniped his sixth goal of the season on a perfect shot over Forsberg’s shoulder three minutes into the period to give the Wild a 2–1 lead. The Blackhawks were unable to convert on their chances the rest of the way, and the Wild walked away with a hard-fought, come from behind win in what initially appeared to be the Blackhawks’ night.

The loss drops the Blackhawks’ record to 21–16–6, a total of 48 points. Chicago entered the night in the second wild card position in the Western Conference standings. The Wild improved their season record to 23–17–4, reaching 50 points to leapfrog the Blackhawks in the standings.

Panik trade

Despite the action on the ice, perhaps the most significant event of the day happened off the ice. Prior to pregame warmups, the Blackhawks sent right winger Richard Panik and prospect Laurent Dauphin to the Arizona Coyotes in exchange for winger Anthony Duclair and defenseman Adam Clendening.

Panik, 26, had a rollercoaster tenure with Chicago. The Slovakian winger was acquired from Toronto in exchange for Jeremy Morin during the 2015–16 season, and saw huge success last year flanking Jonathan Toews, registering 22 goals and 22 assists, smashing his previous career highs. Unfortunately for Panik and the Blackhawks, Panik could not repeat his performance on the ice this season after general manager Stan Bowman rewarded him with a two-year, $5.6 million contract over the summer. Panik has registered just six goals and 10 assists this season.

Dauphin, 22, was acquired from the Coyotes in June as part of the Niklas Hjalmarsson trade. Dauphin has spent the beginning of the season playing for the Rockford IceHogs. Dauphin will report to the Tucson Roadrunners of the American Hockey League.

Duclair, 22, is an intriguing addition. His combination of speed and skill provide the Blackhawks with a package they have lacked in recent years. Duclair has not lived up to expectations with the Coyotes the past season-plus after posting 20 goals in 2015–16. Reports surfaced earlier this month Duclair requested a trade.

Clendening, 25, is a familiar name to Blackhawks fans. The Blackhawks selected Clendening in the second round in the 2011 entry draft. Clendening showed signs of his potential while in Rockford, but could never crack the Blackhawks lineup. He was ultimately flipped to Vancouver in 2014 for Gustav Forsling. Clendening has since bounced around the league, including stops in Pittsburgh, Edmonton and New York before joining the Coyotes this season. Clendening will report to the IceHogs, but does provide another depth option on the blue line should the need arise later in the season.

The deal immediately appears to be a big win for the Blackhawks. Chicago rids themselves of Panik’s $2.8 million cap hit for the rest of this season and next season, while Duclair has a $1.2 million cap hit and is a restricted free agent at the end of this season. The cap savings give the Blackhawks additional flexibility should they choose to be active prior to the trade deadline late next month. The deal also furthers Bowman’s goal of making the team younger and faster.

Additionally, Duclair’s unique package of attributes could greatly benefit the Blackhawks on the ice. It is not difficult to envision Duclair causing havoc with his speed on a line with Nick Schmaltz and Patrick Kane, opening space for the duo to generate offensive chances. Of course, Duclair would also be able to contribute offensively as well, being a former 20 goal scorer. The trio could form a formidable line and finally restore a potent one-two punch for Chicago’s offense.

Another option, should Joel Quenneville not want to break up the Ryan Hartman-Schmaltz-Kane combination would be a third line of Duclair, Artem Anisimov (when healthy) and Alex DeBrincat. Duclair adds to Chicago’s forward depth, and depending on lines come playoff time, the bottom six could include names such as Anisimov, Hartman and Dylan Sikura, in addition to the slew of depth forwards the team already has in DeBrincat, Patrick Sharp, John Hayden, Tommy Wingels, David Kampf and Lance Bouma, giving the Blackhawks much-needed flexibility come playoff time.

Duclair is expected to make his Blackhawks debut when Chicago next takes the ice Friday, hosting Winnipeg in the second game of the Blackhawks’ six-game homestand. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

Pluses:

— The offense showed more flashes of excellence in the first period.

— The Blackhawks looked very fast in the first period of dictated the pace of the game, dominating the first 20 minute, despite only scoring once.

— Nick Schmaltz extends his point streak to five games with an assist on Seabrook’s first period goal. Schmaltz now has 12 points (six goals and six assists) in his last eight games.

— Chicago put 35 shots on goal, which is encouraging. On most nights, 35 shots should be plenty to win the game. The offense is generating the chances they need to get results. Though they did not capitalize on their early chances, the chances were still there, indicating a trend in the right direction.

Minuses:

— The Blackhawks level of play decreased after the first period, allowing Minnesota to get back in,and later take over, the game.

— The Hawks squandered the game by not taking advantage of early opportunities.

— Forsberg made two minor mistakes in the whole game and they cost him. He slid slightly too far to the right when challenging Brodin’s game-tying goal and dropped to his knees slightly too soon on Suter’s game-winning goal.

adsense

Center Ice Forums Recap: Wild 2, Blackhawks 1

Viewing 8 posts - 41 through 48 (of 48 total)
  • Author
    Posts
  • #3447
    BK
    Participant

    [quote quote=3445]You lied. Pure and simple. I never….ever…said Q can do know wrong. In fact, I said earlier than Q has made mistakes.

    YES–Q knows a helluva lot more about hockey than **YOU** do.

    Hey, let’s take a poll. Here’s the scenario/question– Assuming Kane skates on average 20 min a night. The Hawks are desperate for points, they’re down by a goal in the Wild game. Who would you play an extra 6 min trying to score the tying goal…..(Kane skated 26 min in the Wild game) would you skate Kane, one of the most dynamic players in the league. Or Jurco.

    Jurco would get ONE vote. Yours.

    You’re a loser.

    Bud.

    back to the 12 year olds. They’re about your speed.

    [/quote]

    Not at all you 100% implied it. “Q wong 3 cups so clearly his choice is right and yours was wrong”. So keep up the backtracking.

    You can take that poll but try not spinning it and actually use the scenario we talked about.

    The poll would easily show that playing 12F/6D with Jurco being used in non-offensive shifts being the correct choice. This is common sense and has been what I have said all along. Take a peak at any other hockey forum or article by analysts and you will see that EVERYONE questioned his choice. Even some from here. It was a terrible choice.

    SO next time you go to a game make sure you don’t try to teach ANYTHING to anyone because no needs or wants USA hockey to take a step back and we don’t need the Blackhawks meatball population to grow.

    Your inability keep up is mind boggling and I amazed at how shitty you are at spinning things.

    Keep those ankles bent and those burgers flipped bud.

    #3449
    Chico Maki
    Participant

    You lied. I never…EVER said Q is always right. I DID say his experience is a LOT better than yours. I’m not you, I don’t need to backtrack. I have facts on my side.

    The “scenario” is THE TRUTH. What actually happened–which is what I said, in the poll. That poll would get ONE VOTE for Jurco–yours. Don’t you feel ridiculous?

    You’re flat out wrong. Kane routinely plays 20+ min a night. That night, he played 26. A few nights earlier, he played, 23, and few nights earlier, again over 20. The Hawks needed to win that game or at least get a point. You DO NOT play Jurco 6-8 min and sit Kane. Jurco gives you nearly a zero chance to score. I’ve seen Kane play in overtime playoff games where he’s the quickest guy down the ice–in double overtime. the extra 6 min of ice time did NOT affect him in the Wild game.
    if the Hawks had a lead in that game, you would have seen Bouma and Wingels skate those extra min.

    EVERY amateur “coach” thinks they know more than the professional. You’re no different. I’m sure you also think you could have been ….should have been..an NHL player. LOL But, due to some other coach you’re stuck being the assistant French fry manager at Burger King….and you think you’ve got all the answers teaching 12 year olds. We all find our own level, eh bud?

    #3454
    BK
    Participant

    [quote quote=3449]You lied. I never…EVER said Q is always right. I DID say his experience is a LOT better than yours. I’m not you, I don’t need to backtrack. I have facts on my side.The “scenario” is THE TRUTH. What actually happened–which is what I said, in the poll. That poll would get ONE VOTE for Jurco–yours. Don’t you feel ridiculous?[/quote]

    You 100% implied and and back Q in his choice because “He won 3 cups and has a mustache”

    Your scenario is a dream world for you because I explained how the situation would be played out. You are a dunce if you think any other way because I walked you through it. You would be your only vote because only a bender would think that 11F/7D is the right choice. Congrats on being a bender and having your love of Q blind you to the stupidity of that roster choice.

    The only person who is ridiculous is the person thinking 11F/7D is the right choice. Spoiler: It is you.

    [quote quote=3449]You’re flat out wrong. Kane routinely plays 20+ min a night. That night, he played 26. A few nights earlier, he played, 23, and few nights earlier, again over 20. The Hawks needed to win that game or at least get a point. You DO NOT play Jurco 6-8 min and sit Kane. Jurco gives you nearly a zero chance to score. I’ve seen Kane play in overtime playoff games where he’s the quickest guy down the ice–in double overtime. the extra 6 min of ice time did NOT affect him in the Wild game. if the Hawks had a lead in that game, you would have seen Bouma and Wingels skate those extra min. [/quote]

    Here is where we can all see you don’t understand things well. The 100% needed to get a point but your “never wrong” and “always knows more than everyone” coach decided to play 11F/7D. I have already explained how you play Jurco and how it keeps Kane fresh (remember dumbass he played the night before in Ottawa, this is called a back to back with travel and kills recovery even more). You just don’t understand because you have neanderthal levels of hockey intelligence from what we can see here. You might not realize this because you are a bender but playing 20 minutes is much different than 27 for even NHL forwards, hence why everyone called it out. Kane did not have the jump he had earlier in the game and you are just too stupid to see it. Yes, those 5-7 minutes Jurco plays and the constant D pairings have an impact on the game and we part of the reason why the Hawks did not win. The main reason? No but we all know you will try to get your crayons out and do some mental gymnastics here.

    [quote quote=3449]EVERY amateur “coach” thinks they know more than the professional. You’re no different. I’m sure you also think you could have been ….should have been..an NHL player. LOL But, due to some other coach you’re stuck being the assistant French fry manager at Burger King….and you think you’ve got all the answers teaching 12 year olds. We all find our own level, eh bud?[/quote]

    Again, here is your lie. Saying you know more about 1 hockey lineup choice and saying you know more about hockey are 100% different. Stop being a dumbass and realize this. Everyone thinks his roster choice against the Wild was terrible (even people who write here).

     

    Your assumption on me is hilariously wrong. Think I should be in the NHL? What? No. I peaked playing in Juniors and lost my passion for playing the game. I would have never made it to the NHL or pro hockey. Stop trying to deflect.

    Keep those ankles bent and those burgers flipped bud (and it sound like you should stay away from 12 year olds seeing as you keep bringing them up…creepy).

     

    #3457
    BK
    Participant

    I am growing tired of this circle so lets just end it here.

    You clearly think I am wrong and a dumbass and I clearly think same about you so lets just leave it at that and argue about other shit.

    #3458
    Chico Maki
    Participant

    So, I WAS right, English IS a second language for you.

    I never said anything of the sort.  What I DID say was, I trust Q’s judgement more than YOURS–because he’s won 3 Cups and has been in the pro business for 40 years.  You pretend to coach 12 year olds.

    HAHAHHA!!  No, in reality, if that poll was ever taken,  Jurco would receive ONE vote. Yours.  I played out the entire FACTUAL scenario.  The team needs to win games.  the team needs points.  NO ONE (but you) would ‘think” (LOL) skating Kane LESS and Jurco MORE would give them a better chance to win.

    Repeating something that is untrue doesn’t make it true, Donald.   Repeating the BS about “inconsistent D pairings” was the reason they lost is ludicrous.  They gave up TWO GOALS. And neither were the fault of “inconsistent D pairings”.

    And your boy Schmaltz STILL get ridden off pucks.  That too is a fact.  Yet, you continue to claim he, and Debrincat, are “proven players”.  yet, you refuse to use your own metric on a guy like Duclair.  What you are is a JOKE.

    ANOTHER flat out lie by you.  Where did I say I know more about hockey than other people?  See, when you’re cornered by your ludicrous claims you resort to making things up.

    hey, ace, who brought up your “level 2 coaching”?   It wasn’t me.  if you weren’t trying to imply something or pump yourself up, you would have kept silent and got more french fries started in the deep fryer.

    Didn’t you say you were done?  or was that a lie, too?

    And, you prove you’re clueless when you continue to name call.  Small minds do that.

    #3459
    Chico Maki
    Participant

    No, you’re “wrong” because you’re trying to pass off OPINION as facts.  And when you’re confronted with FACTS to counter your OPINION, you resort to calling others names.

    #3463
    BK
    Participant

    [quote quote=3458]And, you prove you’re clueless when you continue to name call.  Small minds do that.[/quote]

    Might want to read your post.

    Oh well until next arguement.

    Keep being a bender and keep those flame broiled patties flipped.

    #3512
    Chico Maki
    Participant

    It wasn’t me who resorted to name calling when you were proven wrong.

    Now….back to making French fries for you.

    Bud.

Viewing 8 posts - 41 through 48 (of 48 total)
  • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.