Analysis
The tale of 2 Blackhawks, and the struggles to play a full game
The Chicago Blackhawks almost pulled it off last night. After yet another night of playing asleep for 40 minutes, the team found another level in the third period managing to make it a game and almost pull off a comeback.
This is not a new phenomena for Chicago. There have been a handful of times this season where Chicago has struggled to compete for 40 minutes, keeping the game close by maybe a goal or two only to find another groove in the third period.
The number one example of this came recently on Nov. 2 against the Los Angeles Kings. Chicago entered the third trailing 2-0 and up to that point the Hawks had little going offensively. The Hawks found another groove in the third period scoring three goals, one in the final minute, to tie the game and send it to overtime. Chicago ended up winning in a shootout.
That was on Nov. 2, a little over a week later the Blackhawks won another close game now at home on Nov. 10 against Minnesota. It was a game where Chicago dominated play for 40 minutes, shutting down one of the best offenses in the league in Minnesota. From Petr Mrazek to the defensive play of Jason Dickinson, the Hawks had a good night – for 40 minutes.
The third period saw the Minnesota Wild come out flying, and it just seemed like Chicago had little going for them from there on out. It was a matter of when, not if, the Wild would score to tie the game.
Now, the Hawks managed to score a big goal in overtime courtesy of Philipp Kurashev, but if Chicago had played the third period like they had in the first and second period it probably would have ended with a regulation win for the team.
Which brings us back to last night. The Blackhawks were outshot 10 to 3 in the first period and 10 to 6 in the second period. I guess doubling shots on goal from period to period is a win, but it was the third period where things took another jump.
The Hawks registered ten shots on goal in the third managing to change momentum and really make a mark on the game, maybe it was the Pacific Time Zone, but the Hawks just didn’t start on time.
Chicago has a tough game on Saturday against Vancouver. The Canucks are a playoff team, better then Seattle, and definitely should prove for a big challenge for the Blackhawks. Time will tell which Blackhawks team we see on Saturday, is it the first and second period leaders who take their foot off the gas in the third? Or the Blackhawks who find another level in the third period failing to give up? Maybe Luke Richardson’s squad can put the pieces together and play a full 60 minutes? Time will tell.
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