Jan. 20--The beat goes on.
Led by Patrick Kane's goal and assist, the Blackhawks set a franchise record with their 12th consecutive victory on Tuesday night in Nashville. Artem Anisimov, Richard Panik and Andrew Desjardins also scored while Artemi Panarin chipped in two assists. Corey Crawford made 38 saves to earn his ninth win in a row, a career high.
The second line is second to none
You'd think at some point the NHL would figure out a way to slow down the Hawks' second line of Kane, Artemi Panarin and Anisimov, but more than halfway into the season the trio continues to roll. The line had a combined five points during the win over the Predators, highlighted by Kane scoring off a breakaway following a terrific stretch pass from Panarin.
"Whether (the NHL) is figuring them out or not, they're figuring themselves out as well," Hawks coach Joel Quenneville said. "They're doing some things we haven't seen. They do different things and their anticipation and how they foresee what's coming ... look at that Panarin pass to Kane, he knew he was taking off and it was one touch, boom. (Panarin) didn't have a lot of room to make it, didn't have a lot of room to have a little bit of an edge in the race. Every game is different, every team plays them a little bit different but they still find openings and they're going to get their turns and their chances."
Anisimov has been the perfect center for the talented wingers but it has been the emergence of Panarin that has been a major key to the Hawks' offensive game this season. The Russian has a three-game points streak (goal, five assists) and leads NHL rookies with 11 multi-point games, 45 points, 29 assists and 16 goals.
"The 'Bread Man' is new to our team (and) I didn't know how good he could be but he's been great so far," Quenneville said of Panarin. "Kane playing with a guy like that, shift in and shift out, brings a different element to our team."
Crawford strong ... again
What's new? Another game, another outstanding effort from Crawford, who upped his record to 27-10-2 and now sports a .931 save percentage and 2.14 goals-against average. The Montreal native has always been technically sound, but his high concentration level this season has vaulted him into the elite of the NHL. When the Hawks started slowly against the Predators, Crawford stood tall--a scenario that has occurred more than a few times this season. While Nashville net-minder Pekka Rinne was one of the league's selections to represent the Central Division in the NHL All-Star Game, Crawford's teammates want him on their side.
"He's been amazing," Kane said. "He just seems like he's got a whole new focus in the net. Some nights he looks unbeatable. It's pretty fun to watch. He's very underrated as far as goalies go around the league but we feel we have the best-kept secret with him."
Road warriors
The Hawks have reeled off six consecutive road wins, which is fairly remarkable since they started so poorly while playing away from home during the first part of the season. They now stand at 12-8-3 on the road with games in Tampa and Sunrise, Fla., looming Thursday and Friday, respectively.
"Whether we're on the road or at home, we know we need to be ready at the start of games, when we're on the road especially," defenseman Duncan Keith said. "We're all just focused on trying to do our own job and play hard within the team structure and try to play a smart game with and without the puck."
