All Systems Go in Hawks Victory

Published: 21^st Jan 12 12:05 am

Blake Schuster
Blake Schuster

RANT It!

Tommy Giglio-US PRESSWIRE

All business.

That might just be the best description of the Blackhawks right now. And after Patrick Kane and Duncan Keith found their way back onto the score sheet in Friday night’s 3-1 victory over Florida, it seems as though the top team in the Western Conference finally has all its units in sync.

“Our team is so much more effective when we alleviate puck pressure with the defense joining the rush,” coach Joel Quenneville said of his team’s complete game, “All of the sudden there is one more option, were encouraging them to get involved.”

Jonathan Toews opened up the scoring against the Panthers with his 27^th goal of the season in the 17^th minute of the first period, and Keith followed suit two minutes later.

And although Andrew Shaw’s four game goal-scoring streak was broken, don’t think that the rookie wasn’t productive.

Shaw finished with two shots on net, four hits, and two takeaways, to go along with a blocked shot. With the Ontario native now playing over 17 minutes a night it’s clear that coach Joel Quenneville has enjoyed playing with his new toy.

While Chicago’s 2-0 cushion going into the second period built a great amount of momentum, it might not have been more treasured by anyone than backup goalie Ray Emery, who was getting his first start since the Blackhawk’s 5-2 victory over Minnesota on January 12^th with Corey Crawford getting the night off.

“We stayed focus, we got a lead, and did a really good job defensively to keep that lead,” Emery said.

With the win tonight Emery now owns an 11-3-2 record with a 2.57 goals against average. And even though the Blackhawks have yet to record a shutout this season, it hasn’t affected the win-loss column.

Kane and Keith, however, couldn’t have found a more appropriate time to start factoring back into the Blackhawks offense. With one home game left before Chicago embarks on its tedious nine game road trip following the All-Star break, the Hawks will most certainly need as many contributors as they can get in order to return home in the same position they left, sitting near the top of the Central Division.

“Anytime you can score to break out of a slump it’s a great feeling,” Kane said, “A lot of guys have been producing around here so it’s nice to come out and score a big one.”

The Blackhawks next play in Nashville Saturday night, before a two day break will have them playing the Predators again at the United Center, in the Blackhawks last home game for the next three weeks.