Dec. 18--As they often do, the Blackhawks followed a subpar performance with a dominating one. After the Avalanche blanked them Tuesday, the Hawks bounced back with a 4-0 victory over the Oilers. Here are some notes from the victory.
First line explodes
In the midst of Patrick Kane's 26-game scoring streak, Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews said last week he admired Kane's streak in part because, as he put it, he was struggling to score.
"I can't even put two games together," Toews said. "I don't know how he has 25 or whatever the hell it is."
Toews had just two points in his last 10 games entering Thursday, but he and the Hawks' first line broke out of their funk.
The top line combined for three goals.
Teuvo Teravainen had two goals and an assist, Toews had a goal and two assists while Marian
It was Toews and Hossa who got the scoring started in the first. Teravainen hit Hossa with a long pass to set up a 2-on-1 in the Oilers zone. Hossa waited before sliding the puck over to Toews, who buried the shot top shelf to put the Hawks ahead 1-0.
Then in the second period, Teravainen slipped his way into the slot while Toews had the puck behind the net. Toews hit Teravainen with a pass and Teravainen one-timed a shot into the net. Then in the third, Teravainen stuffed home a rebound for his second goal.
Teravainen had jumped around the lines frequently for much of the season before settling on the top line. He said playing regularly with Toews and Hossa had helped the group find a rhythm.
"It's easier for sure staying in one spot, and you don't have to move from right to left or (with) different linemates," Teravainen said.
Coach Joel Quenneville said he likes the upside the three can bring in terms of scoring when they play together.
"Nice to see them being a threat off the rush," Quenneville said. "They're starting to get more chances and nice to see them go in for once."
Crawford on fire
It would be tough to find a stretch of games in which Corey Crawford has played better than his last six games. He has allowed only three goals in those games and has recorded three shutouts in his last four.
Crawford made another 33 saves on Thursday.
"I feel good right now," Crawford said. "I'm really focused and I'm seeing the puck well throughout the whole game and getting a lot of help, too, from everyone. There weren't many great chances where they had the puck all alone in the slot with a really good shot. ... But everyone's committed to playing defense right now."
Added Quenneville: "You look at every year he's had some amazing stretches and just keeps doing it."
Panarin gets interpreter
Ever since the Coyotes claimed Viktor Tikhonov off waivers from the Hawks, there has been no one to translate interviews for Russian rookie winger Artemi Panarin. Center Artem Anisimov said he is not comfortable enough to translate for fear of misquoting Panarin. But the Hawks hired an interpreter named Stan Stiopkin to translate for Panarin.
Panarin scored a goal in Thursday's game and spoke to the media for the first time since Tikhonov's exit.
"I was really upset," Panarin said through Stiopkin. "I was upset and shocked. I tried to be positive. I understood it was good for him and he's playing there now."
A smile came across Panarin's face when told Tikhonov scored a goal in the Coyotes' 7-5 loss to the Blue Jackets. But Panarin said Tikhonov's exit has not affected his play on the ice.
"Not really," Panarin said. "He's my best friend, it's hard to lose friend, but at the same time it's a business and I'm rooting for him, wishing he will do well."
Kruger's status unknown
Quenneville did not have much to say about center Marcus Kruger, who exited the game after colliding into the boards with an apparent wrist or hand injury in the second period. Quenneville would only say the team would know more on Friday.
