April 04--Patrick Kane had three goals and an assist as he reached 100 points on the season, Artemi Panarin had a goal and three assists and Artem Anisimov added a goal and two assists as the Hawks won for the fourth time in their last five games.
The Hawks raced to a 6-0 lead and then found themselves hanging on after the Bruins roared back with four unanswered goals. Patrice Bergeron led the way for the Bruins with two goals and an assist.
Second line second to none
The Hawks' second line of Kane, Panarin and Anisimov was re-energized and was dangerous every time it took the ice. It appeared teams had begun to figure out the trio -- or at least assign top checking lines against it -- and production had been down. But Sunday the trio combined for 11 points with Panarin collecting his second consecutive four-point game.
"I think we realize teams were kind of defending us a little bit differently so we had to adjust some things," Kane said. "Overall, I think it comes down to just working hard and battling for the puck because when we get that puck back we feel we can make plays and create a lot of offense. The last maybe three, four or five games we've been doing some good things. We've had some chances. It wasn't going in at the beginning but the last couple it has been. Keep playing the same way whether we're scoring or not and keep trying to create chances but most importantly play the right way and make sure we're keeping the puck out of our net."
That was the case Sunday as Kane, Panarin and Anisimov were a combined plus-8 as well as an offensive force.
"They were great, individually, collectively, fun to watch, nice plays on the goals, great individual plays, play recognition (and) finish," coach Joel Quenneville said. "Nice to see our power play, too, be a part of that."
The Hawks scored on two of their three man advantages.
Panarin for Calder
Panarin continued to solidify his case for the Calder Trophy, awarded to the league's top rookie. There appears to be backlash against Panarin in some hockey circles because he is 24 and played professionally at a high level in the KHL before signing a free-agent deal with the Hawks, but the rules are in place and the NHL considers Panarin a rookie. There is is no denying his credentials -- Panarin leads rookies with 72 points off 28 goals and 44 assists. The 72 points are the most points by a rookie in the NHL since Kane had 72 during the 2007-08 season.
"If you look at his numbers and what he's been able to do in his first year in the league, that all speaks for itself," Kane said. "There are a lot of other rookies in the league with a lot of notoriety and media attention and things like that. He's kind of one of those guys that maybe wasn't talked about coming into the season. He surprised a lot of people with his play for being a first-year player. In my mind, I would vote for him."
Added teammate Teuvo Teravainen: "(Panarin) has been really good for us all year. Now, especially the last couple games, he's been scoring a lot and that's what we want to see. Whenever he's scoring, it makes our team better. So, it's fun to watch."
Panarin said his focus in the final three games heading into the postseason isn't on the Calder race, but to "play smart (and) to play well defensively first."
Flipping the switch
Despite the letdown that allowed the Bruins to get back into the game, the Hawks were dominating throughout the first period and late into the second. The puck possession, speed through the neutral zone and strong special teams are the way the Hawks need to play once the playoffs begin.
Quenneville was asked if that is the way the Hawks need to play once the postseason rolls around April 13.
"Or better," he said. "I know that was as good as we've played but that's the pace we have to play at, with consistency and purpose, meaning in every shift."
Hossa watch
One thing to keep an eye on is the health of Marian Hossa. The veteran winger left the ice following a collision with the Bruins' Frank Vatrano during the third period with an apparent left knee/leg injury.
After the game, Quenneville said, Hossa "seemed to be OK" and that the team would know more Monday. The Hawks aren't scheduled to practice Monday but will hold off-ice workouts and Quenneville will meet with the media. An update on Hossa will be given then. Sitting on 499 career goals, Hossa was flying during Sunday's game and appeared determined the set the mark before going down with the injury. The Hawks can ill afford to lose Hossa for any part of the playoffs.
"It's tough, of course, anytime you lose a player," Teravainen said. "You want to stay as healthy as you can, and hopefully he gets better. He's huge for our team. He does so many good things on the ice, offensively and defensively, especially."
