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Category: Chicago Blackhawks

  • NHL and NWHL News and Notes: October 8th, 2018

     

    These are your News and Notes for Monday, October 8th, 2018:

     

    In the NHL there were three games that happened yesterday…

    • The Carolina Hurricanes defeated the New York Rangers 8-5 at PNC Arena. Carolina overcame four different deficits before Andrei Svechnikov registered his first goal, a game-winner, with 9:16 remaining in the third period. This was the first time the Hurricanes scored eight goal in a contest since March 13, 2017 when they defeated the New York Islanders 8-4. Carolina has registered a point in all three contests this season to extend their record to 2-0-1.Svechnikov (18 years, 195 days) became the first player born in the 2000s to score a NHL goal. He also joined the Hurricanes/Whalers history book as the third youngest player in franchise history to score their first goal. Only Jeff Skinner (18 years, 157 days) and Paul Lawless (18 years, 181 days) are the other two players.

      Yesterday’s contest also marked the first time in the history of the franchise to overcome the four different deficits and go to win the contest in any fashion. The only time this occurred last season was when the Pittsburgh Penguins defeated the Columbus Blue Jackets 5-4 in overtime.

    • John Tavares continues to shine for the Toronto Maple Leafs as Tavares registered his first hat trick with the Maple Leafs en route to a 7-6 win in overtime over the Chicago Blackhawks at United Center. This was also Tavares’ ninth NHL career hat trick. Toronto registered three goals in the final two minutes of the contest to extend the game into the overtime frame. Morgan Reilly would score the game winner for Toronto just 19 seconds into the overtime frame.Tavares’ made Maple Leafs record book as the fourth player in the NHL modern era (since the 1943-33 season) to register a hat trick in his first three games. he Joins Miroslav Frycer, Jeff O’Neill, and current Maple Leaf teammate Auston Matthews.

      Matthews would go on to match a career-high four points in the contest (two goals and two assists), a mark he set in four-goal NHL debut on October 12, 2016.

      In a tribute ceremony before yesterday’s game, there was an emotional tribute for Chicago Blackhawks legend Stan Mikita. Mikita’s wife, Jill, was on hand for the ceremonial puckdrop.

    • The Los Angeles Kings went on to defeat the Detroit Red Wings 4-2 at Staples Center. Ilya Kovalchuk would register two assists, including on the game-winner, to reach the 400-assist milestone. This would also mark the first win on the season for the Kings.Kovalchuk returned to the NHL when he signed with Los Angeles on June 23. Kovalchuk, 35, is one of eight active players in the NHL who have played a minimum of 100 contests and then average at least one point per game.

     

    There are four contests today in the NHL:

     

    In NHL news…

      • The Three Stars of the Week were announced earlier today.The Third Star of the Week went to Dallas Stars goalie Ben Bishop. Bishop recorded 62 saves on 63 shot attempts (a .984 save percentage), compiling a 2-0-0 record with a 0.50 GAA. Bishop would also register one shutout, a 3-0 victory over the Arizona Coyotes on October 4. In that contest Bishop stopped all 30 shots and became the third goaltender in franchise history to earn a shutout in a season opener.

        The Second Star of the Week went to Chicago Blackhawks C Jonathan Toews. Toews currently shares the League lead in goals with five and ranks second in points with six. Chicago has earned five points out of a possible six in the season standings (2-0-1) to open up the season. Toews registered his fifth career hat trick back on October 6. When Toews accomplished that feat, he became the fifth player in Blackhawks history to complete the hat trick with an overtime goal since December 2, 2006 when Jeff Hamilton reached that milestone.

        The First Star of the Week went to Toronto Maple Leafs C Auston Matthews. Matthews currently leads the League in goals (five), tied with Jonathan Toews and leads the league in points (eight). Toronto is currently 2-1-0 (4 pts) on the season. Matthews registered his second career four-point game in Toronto’s 7-6 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks on Sunday and became the seventh player in franchise history to register multiple points in the team’s first three games of the season.

      • The Philadelphia Flyers announced that James van Riemsdyk will be out five to six weeks with a lower-body injury.
      • Florida Panthers goalie Roberto Luongo will be out of action for 2-4 weeks with an MCL sprain, the team announced today
      • Columbus Blue Jackets C Brandon Dubinsky is also headed for Injured Reserve, the team announced today. Dubinsky has a strained oblique muscle that was suffered in a practice on Sunday.

     

    In NWHL news, there were two contests to happen in the NWHL yesterday:

      • First, the Buffalo Beauts went on to defeat the Connecticut Whale 4-0 at Terry Connors Ice Rink in Stamford, CT. This game featured the debut of two goaltenders, Nicole Hensley and Meeri Räisänen. Räisänen stopped 34 of the 38 shots she faced in the contest for the Whale and Nicole Hensley made 10 saves on 10 shots on goal for the Beauts.Maddie Elia would score the first two goals of the contest for the Beauts in the span of 2:31, assisted by her linemates.

        Hayley Scamurra, the 2018 NWHL Rookie of the Year, would register four points in the contest with two goals and two assists.

        Buffalo had the 2-0 advantage going into the first intermission, along with outscoring Connecticut 16-4.

        TXHT’s Christopher Vasilas wrote his perspective on the game here.

        For a full recap of yesterday’s game between the Beauts and Whale, please go here.

      • The other contest pitted the Minnesota Whitecaps versus the Metropolitan Riveters at TRIA Rink. The Whitecaps would complete a weekend sweep of the defending Isobel Cup champions with a 3-1 win.The Whitecaps, much like Saturday’s contest, used their speed to get past the Riveters. Amanda Boulier would open up the scoring for Minnesota at 10:25 in the first period. Jenny Ryan would tie the score for the Riveters, the team’s first on the young season.

        Whitecaps Kendall Coyne Schofield had the opportunity to score on a shorthanded breakaway but would be denied by Riveters goaltender, Katie Fitzgerald. Amanda Kessel would have her own breakaway moments later for the Riveters on her way out of the penalty box, but her shot was too high.

        Jonna Curtis would give the Whitecaps the lead at 2-1 8:24 in the second period. Hannah Brandt would make it a 3-1 lead for the Whitecaps when she buried her shot off of Olympic teammate Coyne Schofield.

        For more on the contest between the Minnesota Whitecaps and Metropolitan Riveters, please go here.

      • Coming up this week in NWHL action:On Saturday October 13th, the Connecticut Whale visit the Buffalo Beauts at HarborCenter at 1:30 p.m., EDT and at 7:30 p.m., EDT, the Metropolitan Riveters visit the Boston Pride at Warrior Ice Arena.
      • Your NWHL Player of the Week is Hannah Brandt of the Minnesota Whitecaps. Brandt scored a goal in each of the Whitecaps games over the weekend over the Metropolitan Riveters. Brandt gave the Whitecaps the 2-0 advantage with her goal early in the second period on Saturday and then she would score again on Sunday to give the Whitecaps a 3-1 on Sunday, as well as the weekend sweep for the NWHL’s newest team.When Brandt was informed that she was named Player of the Week, she was appreciative but felt that the spotlight and award should be shared with her coaches, staff, players, and the fans.

     

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  • News and Notes: October 7th, 2018

     

    These are your news and notes for Sunday, October 7th, 2018.

    There were twelve contests last night in the NHL.

    • The Chicago Blackhawks became third team in NHL history to start the season with consecutive overtime victories. The Blackhawks follow the 1984-85 Toronto Maple Leafs and 2009-10 Montreal Canadiens. Jonathan Toews completed a hat trick to secure a Chicago 5-4 win over the St. Louis Blues in overtime at Enterprise Center. Toews’ hat trick was also the fifth of his career.
      • The New Jersey Devils defeated the Edmonton Oilers 5-2 in the NHL Global Series at Gothenberg, Sweden. This was New Jersey’s first neutral site victory since March 27, 1994 when they defeated the Quebec Nordiques at Target Center in Minneapolis, MN. New Jersey’s Kyle Palmieri became the third player to score the fastest goal in an NHL game outside of North America.
      • Martin Brodeur was on hand for the ceremonial puck drop that included New Jersey’s Marcus Johansson and Edmonton’s Adam Larsson, both of whom were born in Sweden.
      • St. Louis Blues Alexander Steen appeared in his 900th NHL game. His father, Thomas Steen, played in 950 NHL games. The Steens joined only two other father/son duos for more than 900 NHL games played.

    Yesterday’s results:

      • at New Jersey 5, Edmonton 2 (at Gothenburg, Sweden
      • at Dallas 5, Winnipeg 1
      • at Buffalo 3, New York Rangers 1
      • Ottawa 5, at Toronto 3
      • at Tampa Bay 2, Florida 1 (SO)
      • Nashville 4, at New York Islanders 3
      • Montreal 5, at Pittsburgh 1
      • Chicago 5, at St. Louis 4 (OT)
      • Vegas 2, at Minnesota 1 (SO)
      • Anaheim 1, at Arizona 0
      • at Colorado 5, Philadelphia 2
      • at Calgary 7, Vancouver 4

    There are three games on the schedule for today:

    In NHL news…

      • The San Jose Sharks have placed Joe Thornton on Injured Reserve.

    In NWHL news…

      • The Minnesota Whitecaps defeated the Metropolitan Riveters 4-0 at a sold-out TRIA Rink in St. Paul, Minnesota yesterday. Amanda Leveille, former University of Minnesota and Buffalo Beauts goalie, recorded the shutout for the Whitecaps. Katie McGovern would register the first goal for the Minnesota Whitecaps. McGovern’s goal, which was the first in team NWHL history, was registered with 2:24 left in the first period.Hannah Brandt would score the Whitecaps second goal of the contest. Riveters Amanda Kessel attempted to get the team on the board, however Leveille deflected Kessel’s shot midway through the second period. Kessel would later ring a shot off of the crossbar.

        Kate Schipper would make the contest a 3-0 lead for the Whitecaps 3:34 into the third period from a high shot pass from Kendall Coyne Schofield. Coyne Schofield would score the empty-net goal in the final seconds of the contest.

        The Minnesota Whitecaps take on the Metropolitan Riveters again today at TRIA Rink.

        Minnesota Whitecaps win NWHL debut over Metropolitan Riveters

    There are two NWHL games today:

    • Metropolitan Riveters at Minnesota Whitecaps (at TRIA Rink)
    • Buffalo Beauts at Connecticut Whale (at Terry Connors Ice Rink)

     

    You can watch TXHT Live every Wednesday at 8p EST on both Twitch and Facebook Live.

     

    Also don’t forget to enter TXHT’s Contest for a pair of weekend passes to CSA Shows this upcoming weekend!

  • 2018-19 Chicago Blackhawks Preview

    CHI

     

    Last Season: 33-39-10 76 pts (7th in Central Division; Did Not Make Playoffs)

     

    Key Additions: D Brandon Manning, F Chris Kunitz, F Marcus Kruger, and G Cam Ward

     

    Key Departures: D Adam Clendening, D Cody Franson, F Marian Hossa, F Patrick Sharp, and F Vinnie Hinostroza

     

    Top Questions Facing the Blackhawks:

    1. How is Corey Crawford’s health going to be going into this season?

    Crawford missed the second half of last season due to concussion issues, and questions are still in the air, some saying that these concussion issues are career threatening, in regards to his health going into this season. The Blackhawks did sign Cam Ward as a back up plan just in case, but at the same time Ward is near the tail end of his career. Crawford is a difference maker when healthy, and Chicago could be in major touble if he isn’t.

     

    2. Could major change be coming to Chicago?

    Last season the Blackhawks missed the playoffs for the first time since 2007-08, and are now in the need of doing a rebuild before they can make the playoffs again. Players like Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, and Brandon Saad all need to have bounce back seasons this year to help the Blackhawks turn around what was an abysmal season that saw them go from 109 points in 2016-17 to 76 points last season. However, what happens if they start poorly? With the massive contracts that Toews, Kane, Duncan Keith, and Brent Seabrook have, moving them would be very difficult. So would you fire Joel Quenneville? How about Stan Bowman? Or what about both? One way or the other, it will be interesting to see how the Blackhawks do this season.