Tonight marked the return of David Booth, about 5 weeks after straining his groin in a skating drill during practice. His return, plus the poor play of Kassian, meant that the lines needed to be shuffled. The Sedins stuck with Burrows, while Kesler played with Raymond and Hansen. Kassian was demoted to the 3rd line with Schroeder and Higgins, while Booth was eased back in on the 4th line with Lappiere and Weise. The defensive lines remained the same, and Schneider got the start.
The Canucks came into this game trying to stop a 2 game losing streak while trying to reintroduce Booth and Kesler to the 2nd line. Chicago had the opportunity to tie the record for best start in the NHL, if they could pull off the win. Another thing: Most media outlets were convinced this would be a blood bath, but both Vancouver and Chicago are usually content to play skilled, smart hockey.
From the puck drop, it was a relay race for almost 5 minutes. After getting that out of their system, the play settled into back and forth zone play. Chicago held the puck in for almost 45 seconds at one point, and only Schneider's great cross net movement saved a goal. Shortly after, Daniel Sedin caught Chicago mid change and had a half breakaway (Defenceman was going to cut him off), forcing Daniel to take a quick shot and let Emery make an easy save. As the game progressed, the hit train took off down the tracks. Weise bowled over Dave Bolland (hurrah), and Brandon Bollig didn't like it. Bollig hit Weise 3 times before he could get his gloves off, and won the fight. Fortunately the ref had his head on straight, and gave Bollig an extra 2 minute penalty for instigating. Now, normally a powerplay helps your team. Both Hossa and Bolland had breakaways on the man advantage, but Schneider saved Hossa's and Bolland lifted the puck too high after putting Schneider on his belly.
Another breakaway was gift wrapped and presented with love to Patrick Sharp just after the 10 minute mark, but Schneider came out and took the shot away. Oh, what's this? ANOTHER BREAKAWAY?! Daniel Sedin snuck through the defense and had another shot at Crawford, but hit the inside of his pad. But don't fret, he capitalized 30 seconds later. On his way down the right wing, unchallenged, Daniel back handed the puck at the net, and it snuck through Emery's pads. Shots were 12-9 at the in favor of Vancouver at the end of the 1st.
After an incredibly evenly matched first period, Vancouver decided to shut down. Chicago dominated the first 5 minutes, and eventually tied it up. Kane entered the zone and dished to Sharp on the left wing, who ripped a slap shot past Schneider. The Canucks woke up a little after that, but it soon diminished. After Ballard took a penalty, Chicago hemmed in the Canucks for the majority of the powerplay. Schneider came across and made a save, but put himself totally out of position. Bieksa and Garrison put themselves down in front of the net, and Lappiere had to cross check a man out of the crease. Lappiere's cross check was considered a penalty, and that's where the Blackhawks took their lead. After breaking his stick blocking a shot, Chicago's powerplay unit was able to cycle with ease, and Hossa slapped in a cross ice pass. 3 and a half minutes later, Hossa made it 3-1. Hossa cut through Garrison and to the front of the net, and waited until Schneider was stretched out before tucking the puck in. In a last ditch attempt to tie it up before the end of the 2nd, the Sedins got the puck behind Emery but couldn't push it in. Chicago dominated the shots 16-6.
Nothing really changed in the 3rd for either side. Oh, Hansen became public enemy number one in Chicago. No doubt there's a bounty on his head by now. Early in the period, Hansen and Hossa both reached up to grab the puck, and Hansen's elbow collided with the back of Hossa's head. Hossa was down and didn't move for about a minute, and had to be escorted to the dressing room. The elbow certainly looked accidental, if only a little bit of a brain fart for Hansen, but Hossa didn't return to the game. For the remainder of the 3rd, the Blackhawks were completely dominant in puck control and scoring chances. Hansen was also shown some Illinois lovin', as he was boo'ed every time he stepped on the ice. Michal Rozsival took a penalty on Booth with 3 and a bit left, and Vancouver made them pay. Schneider was pulled to give the Canucks a 6 on 4, and Edler was tee'ed up for a perfect slap shot. Post and in. 3-2 Vancouver, 2:42 left in the game.
With just over a minute and a half left in the third, a faceoff in the Chicago zone, and Schneider is pulled. After having the puck tied up on the side boards, Daniel Sedin fed Bieksa cross ice, and with Burrows screening the puck flew over Emery's shoulder. Tie game, 1:01 left. And after playing an entirely flat 2nd and 3rd period, Vancouver forced their way in to OT in the last few minutes. 5 minutes worth of end to end rushes later, and we arrived in a shootout.
Toews: Tried to go fast and five hole, nope
Schroeder: Weaves in and tried a wrister blocker side, denied.
Kane: Had Schneider split, trickled 5 hole. Ref originally said no, but went under review. Goal.
Higgins: Pulled it in to his body with speed down the wing, wrister up high. Goal
Shaw: Came it at full speed, pulled it backhand. Goal.
Kesler: Skated in slowly, tried a wrister glove side. Nope.
Blackhawks win, and the Canucks have now lost 3 straight.
Tidbits:
- Booth: 10:57 ice time, had an assist on the Edler goal. Pretty good performance for his first game back
- Kesler: 21:08 ice time, was on the ice for the Edler goal. Slowly getting better, but isn't really doing anything in the shootout. His "skate in slowly and fire a wrist shot" doesn't fool anybody. Obviously still not fully back yet, but frustrated he's even in the shootout.
- Raymond: Cut to the net a few times, seems to be unafraid of being in close to big defenders.
- Schneider: Almost all the credit for the single point goes to Schneider. Faced 43 shots, 3 breakaways and tons of odd man rushes. .930 save percentage, stood on his head.
- Hansen: After his hit on Hossa, everyone wanted a piece of him. Didn't get intimidated, kept playing his role. Kudos to him.
- Defense: Terrible in regulation. Constantly let Chicago players split them, allowed 3 breakaways and too many odd man rushes to count. Tightened up nicely in OT.
- PP: 1/3. First 2 resulted in more chances for Chicago than Vancouver, but desperation was the only reason Vancouver capitalized on #3.
- PK: 4/5. Did it's job, did it well.
So expect a few more games like this, as Booth and Kesler still aren't playing their best. At the same time, Chicago is easily the best team in the league right now, and dominance on their part was expected.
Next game is on Thursday against Dallas at 5:30.
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