NEWSLETTER
The Chicago Blackhawks finally have a point in the standings this season. At 0-3-1, they were the last team in the NHL to earn a point.*
*Among team’s who’ve played any games (Dallas).
They “earned” one point last night after falling to the Florida Panthers 5-4 in overtime are now alone with the L.A. Kings among teams still looking for their first win. The next opportunity that the Blackhawks will have to get in the win column will be on Friday, opening night at the United Center, against the Detroit Red Wings.
• But they were oh-so-close last night. Indeed, it was probably their best all-around effort of the four games they’ve played this season – despite once again giving up five goals against. At least the offense was clicking, thanks in large part to Dominik Kubalík.
Dominik Kubalik on 5-4 overtime loss to Panthers: "It’s frustrating, but we've just got to stick with it. We’re going to turn it around if we work hard and clean up those little details." #Blackhawks
— Charlie Roumeliotis (@CRoumeliotis) January 20, 2021
• Kubalík continues to be left off the top powerplay unit for Chicago, but he did make a strong case for more looks on Tuesday night.
Dominik Kubalik on two power-play goals: "I just feel like that is kinda my wheelhouse. Just happy to score. Happy that the power play was going pretty well." #Blackhawks
— Brandon Cain (@brandonmcain) January 20, 2021
• A 30-goal scorer last season, the Blackhawks will need Kubalík to continue down this path offensively to keep up with the trend of giving up five goals a night. As I said before, although there was yet another loss, Tuesday night’s effort was the best the Blackhawks have put out in their first four games. Head coach Jeremy Colliton saw much of the same:
Jeremy Colliton on the overtime loss to the Panthers: "We reached a better level of desperation and pressure on the puck, and the details of our game were improved. Still lots of work to do. Tighten up some areas, no question."
— Phillip Thompson (@_phil_thompson) January 20, 2021
• The high-point of Tuesday night came in the third period when the Blackhawks held their first lead of the season. It lasted 71 seconds. In a season that will be filled with looking on the bright side, it was the first lead and came from being down 3-1 early on in the second period. Progress.
Jeremy Colliton: "We competed hard and battled back and the power play scored again, so that was big. A lot of good performances from guys. You'd love to see us get rewarded."
— Ben Pope (@BenPopeCST) January 20, 2021
• That 4-3 lead came thanks to rookie Philipp Kurashev potting his first career NHL goal in his third career NHL game:
Watch Philipp Kurashev's first ever NHL goal to give the #Blackhawks the lead! See if the boys can get the W on @NBCSChicago pic.twitter.com/IPOx2cD10B
— Blackhawks Talk (@NBCSBlackhawks) January 20, 2021
• Talk about a confidence booster for Kurashev, netting his first NHL goal against two-time Vezina winner Sergei Bobrovsky. Also gaining a confidence boost on Tuesday night was the starting goaltender for the Blackhawks, Kevin Lankinen.
Kevin Lankinen will be the first player since Collin Delia to make his #NHL debut for the #Blackhawks after playing for the Indy Fuel of the #ECHL and Rockford #IceHogs of the #AHL.
No skater has made the transition up Chicago's development ladder like that.
— Brandon Cain (@brandonmcain) January 19, 2021
• Although allowing five goals in his first start, Lankinen was composed in the effort and made an impressive save on a three-on-one break for the Panthers in overtime. He deserved a better outcome, but played well enough to get the Blackhawks their first point of the season. Hear from Lankinen after last night’s contest:
"I've been working extremely hard for this moment, and I was able to enjoy the day, enjoy the game, put my best effort out there."
Kevin Lankinen talks to reporters after picking up a point in his first NHL start. #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/OCv7i38Dgx
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) January 20, 2021
• Wouldn’t be surprised to see him in net again against the Red Wings on Friday night.
• In case you needed a reminder, Patrick Kane is still that dude:
WE'VE GOT OURSELVES A TIE GAME! #Blackhawks #Panthers 3-3 on @NBCSChicago NOW pic.twitter.com/e1aWle3C8U
— Blackhawks Talk (@NBCSBlackhawks) January 20, 2021
• Just absolute filth. Three backhand shots you have no chance against: Pavel Datsyuk, Sidney Crosby, Patrick Kane.
• In future-Blackhawks news, the Carolina Hurricanes are dealing with a handful of players being placed into COVID protocol. Chicago is supposed to host the Hurricanes on February 2 and 4.
The @NHL announced today that @Canes games will be postponed at least through Saturday, Jan. 23. https://t.co/lN7YdsA1tV pic.twitter.com/lHN1orqyEx
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) January 20, 2021
• Two-time Stanley Cup champion and two-time former Blackhawk Brandon Saad got his first goal of his Colorado Avalanche career last night:
https://twitter.com/HeresYourReplay/status/1351729483028566019?s=20
• And finally in conflicting news, Bobby Ryan currently tied for the league lead in goals (4) through his first three games with the Detroit Red Wings. It’s inspiring to see Ryan, who went through difficult and public battle with alcohol abuse in recent years, come back and produce with a fresh start in Detroit. It’s also troubling because I was told that the Red Wings were supposed to be really bad this season and Ryan is not helping that cause.
Bobby Ryan is leading the NHL in goal scoring and considering where he was a year ago at this time, that's one hell of a sentence to type.
— Ian Mendes (@ian_mendes) January 20, 2021
• In all seriousness, this is great for him.
• Did someone say serious? (Yes, I did. I literally just did.)
https://twitter.com/BN_Blackhawks/status/1351932111222165505?s=20
• Here’s to a return to health for Blackhawks Captain Jonathan Toews. We miss you.
