Three Stars:
- Brent Seabrook, 1 G
- Andrew Shaw, screen; last game on first line
- Corey Crawford, 29 saves
I suppose the biggest news isn’t the result of this game, but we’ll get to that. I don’t like the annual throttle back. But it’s become a tradition so we don’t tire our guys out. I guess we have a long late spring ahead of us. Let’s get into it.
The throttle back has become a tradition for the Blackhawks, and one we should learn to do without. During this time of the year, when the snow is melting and we start preparing for spring, the Blackhawks lose a ton of games. And it usually stops us from being a contender for the President’s Cup. But this year, it’ll stop us from beating Dallas for the first seed in the Central (and therefore the West). This is also the time of year that could kill Patrick Kane’s Hart chances if we let it go far enough.
The game we played last night was evidence of said throttle back. The only two who brought their A-game were Brent Seabrook and Andrew Shaw, and Crawford (to some degree).
Our lack of offensive production was a result of a few things, mainly that the Predators are all defense and Pekka Rinne was on fire, as he is trending upward.
Our lack of defense is a sign that we’re not done with the trade deadline just yet.
Someone really needs to help out our centers on faceoffs. Artem was below 40% and Danault and Rasmussen were around the same. The only two guys we have that are great at faceoffs are Toews and Shaw.
Although maybe the throttle back this year is to let Dallas overtake us. I would much rather face the predictable opponent – St. Louis – first than a resurgent Avalanche or a hot Pekka Rinne. Especially if we play like that.
I like to think the Andrew Ladd trade was more about depth than it was replacing a perfectly fine first left wing. Because Shaw is the heart and soul of this team, and to replace him because a 40 point season isn’t good enough? He has more points than Hossa.
But this trade allows Shaw to lend experience, grit, and scoring ability to a line desperately in need of it. If we’re going to win the cup we need three scoring lines and a shut down. By replacing Desjardins on the third line with Shaw, we could have that scoring line, and if Shaw reaches 40 this year it becomes all that more impressive. Meanwhile, it would also mean the re-combination of Kruger and Desjardins, 2/3 of the excellent shut down line from last year. Putting Panik or Sekac with those two would allow for better offense or defense respectively.
We’re most likely not done with the trade deadline, Dan Hamhuis has been offered a Chicago deal (He has a NTC) and should he reject it we would most likely be after Kris Russell.
Next game: Washington on Sunday. Interesting matchup for a couple reasons. But the most major depends on a comeback strong March.