UA-59049186-1 Blackhawks 3, Canadiens 2 - Good if it Goes

Blackhawks 3, Canadiens 2

Box score (Yahoo)

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Two of the NHL’s best met at the United Center Sunday night as the Canadiens came into Chicago to take on the Blackhawks. The Blackhawks got out to a good start, outshooting Montreal in the first and taking a 1-0 lead into the first intermission. The goal came off the stick of Gustav Forsling – his first NHL goal. On a power play early in the second, the Canadiens tied the game when a Shea Weber pass took an unfortunate hop off Michal Kempny‘s stick and went over Corey Crawford‘s shoulder and into the net. Less than two minutes after tying the game, the Canadiens took the lead when an Andrei Markov beat Crawford. Not one of Crawford’s finer moments. Just under eleven-and-a-half minutes into the second, Marian Hossa put a big rebound of a Nick Schmaltz shot into the back of the net to tie the game at 2. Just under five minutes after that, Patrick Kane gave the Hawks the lead on a magnificent goal where he worked between three Montreal defenders and shot the puck while being tripped. This would prove to be the game-winner, as nobody would be able to score in the third, despite both teams having great chances to do so.

A few things

  • I’ve made up my mind on this (for now) (I think): keep Vinnie Hinostroza up until Tyler Motte gets back. Hinostroza played well on the top line with Toews and Kane. He still needs to just play; sometimes he’d try to make a play where there wasn’t one to be made, others he was slightly hesitant with the puck. Will that end up hurting the Hawks at some point? Maybe. Will he get moved off the top line at some point? Knowing Q, safe bet. But that speed and skating ability are definite assets.
  • Crawford gave up a really lousy goal, but other than that, was excellent. He made a couple fantastic saves, including a couple on former Hawk Andrew Shaw.
  • Artem Anisimov made his return to the ice. He looked fine.

My picks for 3 stars

★★★ Al Montoya, G, MTL (32 SV, 3 GA)

★★ Corey Crawford, G, CHI (21 SV, 2 GA)

★ Patrick Kane, RW, CHI (1 G (GWG))

Twitter: @KSchroeder_312

E-mail: schroeder.giig@gmail.com

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