Chicago Blackhawks: Marian Hossa's Injury and Other Stadium Series Observatons
The Chicago Blackhawks were one with the weather Saturday night as they treated a national audience to a dominating performance against the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Blackhawks' 5-1 Stadium Series victory at Soldier Field proved once again that this team can rise to the occasion on a big stage.
The 'Hawks had lost their last two games and were just 3-4-3 in their last 10 coming into the contest. Along with the Penguins, Chicago had to face Old Man Winter in full effect, with near-constant snow and chilly conditions. After 60 minutes, it was clear that the Blackhawks successfully adjusted to the outdoor variables.
All isn't rosy in Chicago following an injury to Marian Hossa that could keep him out for a few games. However, there were a lot of positives to cull from the snowflakes Saturday. Here are some observations taken from a big interconference snowdown...I mean, showdown.
Marian Hossa Is Out...For How Long?
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Marian Hossa made it through the Olympic tournament healthy, but he came off the ice in the first period after being sandwiched against the end boards by Craig Adams in the 14th minute of the opening period. Hossa, who had just attempted to find Kris Versteeg with a pass, was coming around the Penguins net when he took what looked to be a pretty clean hit by Adams.
Video of the play can be found here.
Hossa is facing Adams on the play. The Penguins forward doesn't attempt to leave his feet and makes shoulder-to-chest contact. It does appear that Hossa's head could have bounced off the glass, though the long shot the video provides makes it hard to say for sure.
Hossa finished his shift before skating off the ice. He stayed on the 'Hawks bench through the end of the first period but did not return to the game. Chicago was a forward short for the remainder of the contest, with Brandon Saad moving up to the top line.
Coach Joel Quenneville had this to say to NHL.com correspondent Brian Hedger following the game:
"Hossa might miss some time. We'll get a better idea, probably more, on Monday, [a] pretty good idea, but we'll know more in a couple of days. But not long-term.
"
This seems to suggest that this upper-body issue is possibly a shoulder injury or has something to do with Hossa's back, which has been an issue throughout the 2013-14 season. The fact that Hossa remained on the bench seems to rule out a concussion, but as Quenneville suggested, we should know more later this week.
The Blackhawks' Skill Shone Through Despite Heavy Snow
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The layer of snow blanketing the Soldier Field ice surface made stick-handling and passing a challenge for both teams Saturday. However, the big guns on the Chicago side were able to overcome the conditions.
Patrick Sharp one-timed a nice feed from Jonathan Toews from the right circle off the post and in for the first goal of the game. Saad, playing in place of Hossa, was credited with the secondary assist.
Toews, who was voted the game's first star and outplayed Pittsburgh captain Sidney Crosby on this night, took control of a puck at his blue line at the midway point of the contest, skated into the Penguins zone, wove right around Brooks Orpik and backhanded a shot between Marc-Andre Fleury's pads to give his team a 2-0 advantage.
A few minutes later, Patrick Kane came into the offensive zone with the puck, leading a three-on-one rush. He skated the left circle, froze Rob Scuderi in his tracks with a toe drag and hit a wide-open Versteeg at the right post for a tap-in that made it 3-0 Chicago late in the second period.
The 'Hawks generated 40 shots on the night by taking a more direct approach to the net. However, the skill of their top players was on full display.
Secondary Scoring Was Evident as Well
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Besides Versteeg's goal, which gives him a tally at Soldier Field, Wrigley Field and the United Center in his 'Hawks career, Chicago also got secondary scoring from Bryan Bickell on a nice play at both ends of the ice late in the 14th minute with the 'Hawks up 3-1.
Michal Rozsival got things started behind the Blackhawks net, sending the puck along the boards, where it was won by Saad. Saad skated across the blue line and backhanded a pass to Bickell, who was skating right to the doorstep of the Pittsburgh net.
Bickell's first attempt was denied by Marc-Andre Fleury, but persistence paid off for the big forward. His second backhand found its way through the five-hole and across the goal line.
Bickell skated less than 10 minutes despite Chicago being down a skater with Hossa's night being over. However, perhaps a goal in a big national game is a sign that Bickell can finish the season strong.
The Penalty Kill Was Awesome, as Was the Defense
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The league's best power play was held without a goal in 10 minutes of power-play time Saturday. This included negating a penalty in the first period before Chicago took the lead as well as some four-on-three time in the second period that could have seen Pittsburgh tie the game.
The Chicago defense, buoyed by a dominating 15-4 advantage on faceoffs in the first 20 minutes, outshot the Penguins 14-5 during that stretch. The 'Hawks did a great job limiting scoring chances all night long.
Was the heavy snow a factor in slowing down the Pittsburgh offense? Of that there is little doubt. On the other hand, Chicago scored five times in the same conditions.
Corey Crawford Deserved the Shutout
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'Hawks goalie Corey Crawford stopped every shot he faced from the visiting team and could have been celebrating his second shutout of the season. The box score shows that Crawford made 31 saves on 32 shots, but that doesn't tell the full story.
In the seventh minute, with the Penguins entering desperation mode, Crawford turned away a shot by Evgeni Malkin. James Neal swiped the loose puck from Duncan Keith and sent a centering pass across the ice.
Brent Seabrook tried to knock the pass away but only succeeded in depositing the puck into the back of his own net. Neal was credited with the goal, but none of Pittsburgh's scorers beat the Chicago netminder.
Now, if someone could find Crawford's Stadium Series mask.
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