If you’re one of those fans who likes to point out the negative, who is often caught saying, “yeah, they won but…”, then the Blackhawks are making life very easy for you these days.
In fact, even the most positive of fans, bloggers, analysts, etc, including myself, are having a tough time pulling the positives from each time the Hawks step on the ice recently.
The important thing about Friday night’s win over the New York Islanders is just that. It was a win. The Hawks got the two points. If you just looked at the result, and the fact that Chicago came away with the two points, you’re probably pretty happy.
But looking past that is where any type of complacency ends.
No one expected the Blackhawks’ defensive woes to go away in one night. But the assumption would be that the fact that the Hawks were hosting the Islanders, the lowest scoring team in the NHL, would allow those issues on the back end to disappear for at least one night. You know what happens when you assume.
The Hawks trailed twice early. Both of the goals were saves that Corey Crawford would have had last year. Of course, that wasn’t the case as his quiet slump, which is getting louder and louder, continues. It will be interesting to see if Ray Emery could steal some playing time from him with a solid performance against St. Louis on Saturday. Mind you, that says “steal some playing time”, not “create a goalie controversy.”
The second period was the best hockey we saw out of the Blackhawks for most of the night. They outshot the Isles 15-2, and got goals from both Ben Smith and a shorthanded goal by Jonathan Toews to give the Hawks the 3-2 lead heading into the third.
The Hawks defense would have none of that, though, as they surrendered another New York goal just 46 seconds into the period. PA Parenteau took the puck in the slot, which none of the Hawk defenders were able to find, and put it over Crawford’s left shoulder. It was a nice shot by Parenteau, but very preventable.
After Patrick Sharp sniped a power play goal, the Hawks blew yet another lead. As good as the defense is at screwing up, this one took home the gold medal. Coming on the ice on a line change, Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook got tangled up, allowing Nino Niederreiter to skate in all alone and rip one past Crawford, which he very likely could have saved.
Luckily for the Hawks, their offense is potent enough to give them the win on most nights, especially against teams like the Islanders. And lucky for Crawford that Al (Inigo) Montoya surrendered four goals as well, sort of hiding the fact that Crawford continues to play very poorly.
Though some might simply be happy with the fact that the Hawks were able to escape with the two points, there’s no avoiding these issues on defense anymore. They are painfully present.
The penalty kill is atrocious. A unit that started the season as one of the league’s best is now 30th in the league. That’s last place. In four opportunities on Friday, the Hawks surrendered two power play goals. To the Islanders.
The defense is bad. Corey Crawford is bad. The penalty kill is awful. Sure, the offense is enough to keep the Hawks in it on most nights, and give them the win on many other nights, but things need to get fixed, and quickly. Whether that’s personnel or logistical issues remains to be seen, but the good thing for the Hawks is that it’s December. There’s time to fix it.
Ray Emery takes his place in the crease on Saturday night. All eyes will be on him and the Hawks defense.
Oh, and hey Ben Smith. Nice to see you again.
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