Shaw, Hayes Tally in Hawks Route
One of the initial concerns when Patrick Sharp was injured was how the front office would replace the 12.7 shooting percentage that the right-handed sniper boasted.
As it turns out they’ve replaced him pretty well, with a kid who has a 26.7 percentage.
Andrew Shaw has been playing with the grit and determination that Chicago general manager Stan Bowman was looking to acquire in the offseason, he’s also been taking off some of the pressure on the Blackhawks “Core Four” in the scoring department.
With five goals in eight games, including one tonight in Chicago’s 6-2 victory over the Buffalo Sabres, the rookie from Ontario is making the case to stay with the club when Sharp is able to return.
And it isn’t just his stick that is making Shaw stand out; he’s been using his average 5’10” 180 lbs frame in a power forward manner, getting to the net and staying there.
It’s exactly why Jonathan Toews was able to score his 25th goal of the season on a first period power play. After Shaw screened Buffalo goalie Jhonas Enroth, the last line of Sabre defense could only watch as Toews tapped in the redirected Seabrook blast on the right side of the goal.
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One of the initial concerns when Daniel Carcillo was injured was how the front office would replace his physical presence and knack for ugly goals.
As it turns out, the former Boston College standout Jimmy Hayes has done pretty well.
Hayes has added a larger physical presence to Dave Bolland’s checking line, and his skating ability has led to some keen scoring chances, which is partly why the 22 year-old has already tailed five points (2 goals, 3 assists) in nine games, including one tonight.
The kids called up from Rockford no doubt provided a spark to the Blackhawks when the outlook was poor, and as the Chicago club ventures into its toughest stretch of the season, with 10 of its next 12 on the road, the wave of momentum could not have come at a more important time.
With the Florida Panthers visiting the United Center before a home-and-home series with Nashville, the Blackhawks will have a chance to add to that momentum on Friday night.
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