Chicago Blackhawks: Five Things We Learned In 4-0 Victory Over Edmonton

The Chicago Blackhawks after a pretty ugly defeat on Tuesday night to the Colorado Avalanche were back on the ice last night against the Edmonton Oilers.  They easily defeated the Connor McDavid less Oilers 4-0 so here is a quick glimpse at what we learned last night.

5. Marcus Kruger‘s Injury

This could end up being the biggest story of the night.  Kruger went crashing awkwardly into the boards when it look like he lost his skates going around the net.  Kruger was in noticeable pain on the bench and after a few minutes he left the bench and then he was gone for the rest of the game.

After the game we only received this update which like Tracey Myers said usually isn’t good.

No injury is good, but Kruger’s would be a quietly tough blow to the team. He’s on the penalty kill and centers the fourth line which was back to their normal good last night.

4. Bryan Bickell‘s Stick

It may be time for Bryan Bickell to find a new stick! Twice he had great chances to make plays right around the Chicago Blackhawks offensive blue line and failed to hold on to the puck. These weren’t breakaways but they would have been quick plays with odd man numbers going to the net.

Bickell looks to be playing better, but it’s plays like this that is always frustrating to watch a player fight through when everything isn’t clicking.

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3. Niklas Hjalmarsson‘s Nightly Scare

It seems like at least once a game Hjalmarsson will block a shot and look to be in extreme pain as he skates to the bench. Last night was one of those rare nights that he blocked a puck and just layed there on the ice in a ton of pain which was a pretty scary thought for Blackhawks fans that are already watching a Rob Scuderi/Michal Rozsival defensive pairing.

Of course with my cup half full thought process said he would be back on the ice within two shifts, and almost on cue there came Hjalmarsson out of the Blackhawks tunnel back on the bench and then back on the ice.  One day he might not return from one of these blocked shots but until that day happens I expect him to return after every knock down.

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2. Patrick Kane‘s Assist

No other player gets more secondary assists.  Kane picked up another one on the late Artemi Panarin goal that was set up by a nice feed from Brent Seabrook.  Kane sits at 47 points and it’s still not even Christmas.  He hasn’t had a multiple point night in a while so watch out for the next time he’s on the ice and they need a secondary assist.

1. Good things happen when…..

Joel Quenneville stuck with the top line and boy did they produce last night.  Marian Hossa looked great all night long, and Jonathan Toews looked liked the Captain we are used to watching with Teuvo Teravainen going to the scoring places on the ice and being rewarded.

It was a 9 point night for the top line, and it proves that if you give players time to gel good things will happen.  The Joel Quenneville line blender should be put to rest on the top two lines for now after last night’s show.

What are your thoughts after last night’s win?