Recap
The Blackhawks opened their home schedule on Tuesday night with a 3-2 victory over the St. Louis Blues. Next up for the Hawks are the Dallas Stars on Thursday night in Dallas.
The Hawks would come out flying in the first period and score the lone goal of the period. A spectacular effort was behind the goal as the Hawks had a 3 on 0 rush. The Blues got caught in the offensive zone after Nick Leddy saved an odd man rush. He passed the puck to Patrick Kane who executed a give and go with Patrick Sharp. Kane made a nifty forehand to backhand move for the goal. In the second period the Hawks would score another goal on the power play. Corey Crawford would make a great poke check to save a breakaway chance which would immediately lead to a goal. Brent Seabrook deflected a Duncan Keith shot past Brian Elliott.
The third period would feature the St. Louis Blues throwing everything at the kitchen sink. However, the Hawks would get on the scoreboard again when Viktor Stalberg would fire a wrist shot past Elliott. But the shutout would not last as Andy McDonald got the Blues on the scoreboard after some sloppy play by the Hawks in their own zone. The relentless Blues attack would continue as they registered 16 shots on goal in the third period. Ten minutes later the Blues would score on the power play which is the first power play goal the Hawks have allowed all season. T.J. Oshie would score on a rebound shot from David Perron. Crawford had no shot as it was a bang bang play. In the final moments the Hawks would weather the storm as Crawford was stellar as he faced a steady barrage of shots.
What it means
The Hawks are now 3-0-0 for the first time since the 1972-1973 season. This was an important victory as the Hawks were able to get a four point swing in a division game. The Hawks will try for a 4-0-0 start when the play Dallas on Thursday.
3 stars of the game
3. Patrick Kane- Kane played another great game and is in midseason form. There is no doubt that playing in Switzerland helped keep him on top of his game during the lockout. Kane scored his second goal of the season and was active all over the offensive zone.
2. Brian Elliot- Elliot played great considering he faced a barrage of shots on odd man rushes early in the game. He made 24 saves on 27 shots and kept the Blues in the game early when they were sloppy defensively.
1. Corey Crawford- Crawford has been a huge target of fans and media alike but his performance was sensational tonight. He made 32 saves on 34 shots and had bad luck on both of his goals. But Crawford stepped up his game in the last five minutes and made one big save after another to close out the victory.
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