NEWSLETTER
The Blackhawks really needed a slumpbuster, and they finally got one. The Columbus Blue Jackets came into Friday night’s pre-Christmas finale losers of five straight and they never got off the bus. The Blackhawks whipped their butts the entire first period, out-shooting the Jackets 14-5 in the opening 20 minutes. Chicago had a lead barely last three minutes earlier this week, though, so a two-goal lead didn’t mean anything when the second period started.
But goals from Andreas Athanasiou and Taylor Raddysh 53 seconds apart pushed the lead to four and the Blue Jackets wanted absolutely nothing to do with playing a competitive game. Well, not until Sean Kuraly hammered Jonathan Toews a little under eight minutes into the second period and the players exchanged holiday recipes. It was good to see Isaak Phillips jumping in to defend his captain quickly; it was a clean hit that Kuraly finished high on Toews, but after the Jackets spent 27 minutes showing absolutely zero effort, the intent was clear and the Blackhawks didn’t like it.
It got interesting in the third period for a bit, but Kane set up Toews to make the score 5-2. That power play goal marked the 300th time both Kane and Toews factored into a goal for the Blackhawks, a remarkable number.
Star 1: Patrick Kane
After a night in which he put nine shots on net and couldn’t buy a score, nearing the end of a month in which he’s done just about everything with the puck but score, Kane finally put one on the board. And his response was almost exhausted relief when he finally got one past a goaltender (and without hitting a post or shooting it wide). 88 wasn’t finished, though. He set up Max Domi for the Blackhawks’ second goal of the night with a pretty dish, and broke up a rush for Johnny Gaudreau. Kane wanted it again tonight, and finally got some payoff. He finished the night with one goal and two assists.
Star 2: Jonathan Toews
Like Kane, Toews finished the night with one goal and two assists. Chicago’s captain also won 18 of 25 faceoffs (72 percent). When things got messy early in the third period and the Blackhawks went to the penalty kill, Toews was over the boards first for PK duty. He had another terrific all-around night and the points came from the effort.
Star 3: Alex Stalock
Stalock returned to the ice for the first time since Nov. 1 when he was knocked out of the game against the Islanders with a concussion. Not only was he good enough to pick up the win, but he was in it the whole night. He aggressively played the puck and helped get the attack started. He ran his mouth at times, too, and showed his displeasure with Mathieu Olivier grabbing Toews in the second period by stomping on his stick and kicking it aside. The Blackhawks needed a little burst of energy and Stalock was precisely that in his return to the lineup.
