Saturday, February 19, 2022

Double Shutouts: But Only One Team Wins


So, in the previous game the Blackhawks gave up seven goals against the Blue Jackets and if I told you the Hawks shut out the Stars in regulation and OT, you would think it was a win, right? Unfortunately, the Hawks failed to score as well and the game was decided in the skills competition aka: the shootout. Both goalies stubbornly gave up a goal a piece during the 3 shooter round and it took extra shooters to decide a winner. Jacob Peterson (who?) the 12th shooter, ended the game 1-0 with the Hawks still coming away with one point.

Random Thoughts:

  • A scoreless game you would think might not be exciting and for the most part it wasn't. It was dull, especially the first two periods and it never got interesting until OT. Both teams has some chances, with Kane and DeBrincat with point blank chances, but for the most part the Hawks offense was pretty inoffensive. The Stars had more quality opportunities and this is another game that Fleury kept them in and earned the point. He made an amazing stop off Hintz in the dying seconds of the second period that looked like a sure goal and if he scored it would have been devastating, as goals at the end (and beginning) of a period have been the Hawks Achilles heel all season.
  • Speaking of Jacob's or Jake's, interesting decision by the Hawks having defensive defenseman, Jake McCabe taking part in the shootout. Maybe, coach King had a hunch, but why not Dach or Seth Jones, if we're choosing a d-man? The shootout is a crap-shoot anyways, so why not.
  • Jerk of the game: Since his scoring skills have been slowing degrading, I've been noticing the Stars, Jamie Benn has been becoming a bit of a jerk. Last night, after MacKenzie Entwistle had his face rammed into the corner glass by the Star's bench as he skated past their bench on the way back to the Hawks bench, Benn squirted Entwistle in the face with water. It's not a big deal, but it's a jackass move, especially as captain.. He earlier gave rookie, Lukas Reichel a late, cheap hit which has been more common with Benn lately.

 

Up next: Jets/Oilers, Saturday afternoon; Hawks/Panthers, Sunday afternoon.

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