5 Chicago Blackhawks Thoughts on 3-1 Win In Montreal

The Chicago Blackhawks played on back to back nights, and they skated away with a 3-1 win in Montreal to make their record 3-0-1 early in the season. So here are 5 Quick Thoughts on the Original 6 victory. 

5. The PK Woke The Hawks Up! 

The Chicago Blackhawks looked like they were skating in quicksand in the first period, but the Hawks were able to kill off an extended 5 on 3 which seemed to jump start the Chicago Blackhawks as they got their legs underneath them.  The PK didn’t give up a goal all night, and they had a very solid night which is good to see after it has struggled in recent seasons, and had a rough night in Toronto last night.

4. Cody Franson Has Tough First Start

There were some good things to take away from Franson’s first start, He looks good in the offensive end, but he had two penalties called on him.  Granted, the second penalty was really ticky-tack. Feels like Connor Murphy will be back in the lineup on Thursday after a little Joel Quenneville wake up call after the OT loss in Toronto.

3. DeBrincat Has some Highs and Lows

Alex DeBrincat scored his first NHL goal of his career which was a real good sniper play by the rookie.

The thing DeBrincat I’m sure will get coached up by is you can’t turn the puck over at the blue line! He did it twice which turned out to be great scoring chances by the Montreal Canadiens.  DeBrincat did get an assist on the Artem Anisimov goal right after one of the turnovers, so it’s obvious he doesn’t dwell on mistakes, but he has to clean that up or he will find the Quenneville doghouse!

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2. Tanner Kero is Marcus Kruger 2.0

Tanner Kero made at least 3 great back checking plays to break up Montreal scoring chances.  He’s also very solid on the Penalty Kill. He really has replaced Marcus Kruger in that role of bottom line center that plays a 200 foot game every night and plays big minutes on special teams.  I think his line can get some scoring chances as well when Nick Schmaltz rejoins the lineup and John Hayden is back with him.

1. Corey Crawford Is Off To A Hot Start

Corey Crawford has only given up 1 goal in each of his first three games, and he’s now 8-0-2 in his hometown.  Crawford actually got a shot on goal in the game, but it was his 40 plus stops that enabled the Hawks to pick up the victory.  The Hawks are scoring goals, but it’s Crawford keeping pucks out of the net.

Next: The Hawks Are Missing Nick Schmaltz

The Hawks are 3-0-1 now! What are your thoughts on the Hawks victory?