Enter the depth. We’ve been singing its praises all season and in case you weren’t convinced, the Easter Sunday matinee against Detroit was the perfect example.
The Blackhawks stormed out to a 3-0 lead, scoring them all in a time frame of about 2:30. Involved in every goal? The delegation from the Rockford Ice Hogs.
On his first shift back with the big club, Jeremy Morin banged home some loose change right in front of Jimmy Howard. About a minute later, Brandon Saad deked out the Wings netminder and had an easy tap in. Howard couldn’t get any help from his team as Jakub Kindl flipped a puck into his own net after Jimmy Hayes gave a good stick check, keeping Kindl from being able to clear it behind the net. Hayes wasn’t credited with the goal – not even an assist – but that goal was all him.
Corey Crawford returned to the net after giving way to Ray Emery the past two games. Not tested early, Crawford didn’t face his first shot until eight minutes had elapsed in the opening frame. The Wings generated more offensive chances as the game progressed, but Crawford held them to the Easter Egg well into the 3rd period. With 33 seconds left in the game, Crawford was down and out and Brent Seabrook was caught…confused (?) as to who had the puck or where it was. Cory Emmerton had the open net, cutting their deficit to the eventual final score of 7-1.
When a team storms out to a lead like the Hawks did, you get concerned about coasting in neutral for the rest of the game and before you know it, the opponent has clawed its way back and you’re in a mad dash. Given some of the finishes the Hawks have had lately, it’s a valid concern.
You got the sense that the Wings came out for the 2nd resurrected with new life. Fortunately, that didn’t last long. Saad has truly begun to make a case for Calder contention. A beautiful setup for a goal by Jonathan Toews (that chased Howard), followed by a goal of his own eight seconds later (welcome to the game Jonas Gustavsson), Saad has showcased every facet of his game cementing his role on this team.
Dave Bolland and Nick Leddy made the game officially a laugher burying goals No. 6 and 7 respectively.
The win brings Chicago to within one point of the league lead – The Hawks and Red Wings will play one more regular season game while both are members of the Western Conference – Chicago is back in action against Nashville.
Source: midwaymadness.com
Photos: Chicago Blackhawks