7 Thoughts On Blackhawks 5-1 Victory Over Ottawa
Patrick Kane returns from COVID-19 protocol to carry the Blackhawks to their first win of the 2021-22 season.
Well, it only took 10 games. After the Chicago Blackhawks put together their worst start in franchise history — going 0-7-2 through the opening nine contests of the season — win No. 1 FINALLY came on Monday night against the Ottawa Senators.
Here are 7 thoughts on the Blackhawks 5-1 victory over Ottawa:
1. Showtime Is Back
Following a four-game stint in COVID-19 protocol, forward Patrick Kane was cleared to return to the Blackhawks lineup on Monday against the Senators. Kane’s return proved to be just the jolt that the Hawks’ offense needed, as he recorded a hat trick, a primary assist, and a team-high six shots on goal to lead the way to victory.
Thanks to his big night, Kane jumped ahead of Steve Larmer for third in Blackhawks’ history with 408 goals, and he also surpassed Denis Savard for third with 1,097 points. All in a night’s work for No. 88.
2. Toews Starting To Heat Up
Don’t look now, but Blackhawks’ captain Jonathan Toews has six points in his last five games after tallying three assists in the win vs. Ottawa. Toews is still looking for his first goal on the season, but I believe it’s only a matter of time with the way he’s been playing recently.
Toews failed to pick up a point in each of the Blackhawks first five games, and it just felt like he wasn’t quite all the way back up to speed yet. However, in the last five games, not only has the point production picked up, but there have been several flashes of ‘Vintage Toews’ on the ice. Hard work down low, smart play along the boards, and strength around the net. Tazer’s bread & butter.
3. Hagel Stays Hot
Like Toews, forward Brandon Hagel has also started to get going in these last few games. Hagel went without a goal in the Blackhawks first seven games, but he now has three goals in the last three contests after finding the back of the net twice on Monday.
Most importantly for Hagel, the effort level continues to be through the roof each and every night. If Hagel can keep that up, then the offensive production should follow. Especially if he is going to play on the same line as Toews going forward.
4. Special Teams Continue To Be A Positive
With a power-play goal on Monday, the Blackhawks have now scored on the man advantage in eight of their first 10 games this season. Now, if they can just find a way to score this consistently at even strength, then there is a possibility of putting together a run here before things get out of hand. The Blackhawks powerplay currently sits seventh in the NHL at 26.3 percent.
On the other end, the Blackhawks penalty kill went 4-for-4 in the 5-1 win over Ottawa on Monday, boosting them up to fifth in the NHL at 88.6 percent. While the Hawks’ PK has been a bright spot all year so far, they did allow a power-play goal in back-to-back games vs. Carolina & St. Louis over the weekend. Nice to see them get back to business against the Sens.
5. Fleury Settling In
Marc-Andre Fleury was not deserving of a loss against St. Louis on Saturday after stopping 36 of the 37 shots that he faced. However, ‘Flower’ did not let that bother him, and he picked up right where he left off against the Blues to earn his first victory as a member of the Blackhawks. Fleury made 29 saves on 30 shots against Ottawa, including a couple of dandies during the first 10-15 minutes of the game. Without Fleury’s efforts early on, the storyline surrounding Monday’s game could be completely different for the ‘Hawks.
6. Strome’s Situation
I just don’t get it. Look, I know Ryan Carpenter has played well with Toews and Hagel in the last two games, but there isn’t any long-term upside with playing him there. We already know what Carpenter is, and that’s a bottom-six grinder.
As for Dylan Strome, there has been plenty of debate in recent years over what kind of player he will be in the future. What is known, is that Strome has a better offensive skillset than Carpenter and has performed well alongside playmakers in the past. But Jeremy Colliton doesn’t seem to care.
Strome skated with MacKenzie Entwistle and Reese Johnson on the Blackhawks fourth line during the 5-1 win over Ottawa (facepalm). Colliton continues to refuse Strome of any opportunity to succeed in Chicago, and at this point, why is he still even here? Personally, I don’t like the idea of trading Strome. But if Colliton isn’t going to use him properly, then what’s the point of keeping him around?
7. Tyler Johnson Update (Not Really Though)
Johnson exited the game early on Friday after taking a hit from Hurricanes’ forward Vincent Trocheck. While heading off the ice, Johnson was holding his arm/wrist and was in serious pain.
The two-time Stanley Cup champion has now missed both of the Blackhawks last two games, and his status going forward remains up in the air.
“I don’t have more on that,” Colliton said after the morning skate on Monday. “We’ve got to see how it progresses here.”