5 Thoughts From Chicago Blackhawks 4-1 Victory against Panthers

The Blackhawks completed a very successful road trip with a 4-1 victory against the Florida Panthers, Saturday night.

The ‘Hawks have put a nice little string of points together lately.  The lines, after staying steady for a while, are starting to gel with one another.  Let’s take a look at tonight’s match-up with the Panthers, and discuss some thoughts.

Corey Crawford Appears in 400th Game

Crawford played in his 400th career game in the NHL, all with the Blackhawks, and stopped 37 shots in a 4-1 win, Saturday night against the Florida Panthers.  It was his 224th career victory, which is 3rd on the Blackhawks franchise win list.

Crawford is currently 4th on the All-Time games list for the Blackhawks franchise.  He trails Eddie Belfour (415), Glenn Hall (618), and Tony Esposito (873).

Top Line Breaks Out Their Scoring Touch

Brandon Saad played like a man possessed tonight.  In the first period, he scored a goal, his first in

15 games, to make the game, 2-0, Blackhawks  He also rang a goal post, and had 7 shots.   He ended the game with 2 points (1G 1A).

In the second, Jonathan Toews swatted at a puck that found it’s way past Luongo to give the Blackhawks a 4-1 lead.  Toews ended the game with 3 points (1G 2A).

This team needs more from this line to produce.

Energy Line Magic

The most consistent line for the Blackhawks this year has been there fourth line.  They opened the scoring tonight as John Hayden found a loose rebound in front of the net after a Tommy Wingels wrap-around attempt.

In the second period, the Panthers started very strong.  Quenneville put the fourth line out there to spark some energy back.

It did as the ‘Hawks would score two goals later in the period.

An Elephant Never Forgets

A year ago the Blackhawks went into Florida and were completely embarrassed by the Panthers, in a 7-0 thrashing.  Coach Joel Quenneville wanted his team to get out quick and often.  The Balckhawks had scored first in three of their last four games.

They did so again tonight, and then some.  Yes, they were reminded of that debacle last year here, but they have been playing well, and I’m sure they thought they had a game slip away from them in Tampa Bay the previous game.

Bobby Lou Who?

Roberto Luongo may have 458 career wins in the NHL, but I would gather that the team he hates

to face against is the Blackhawks.  The Blackhawks had his number again.  Toews and Kane will once again see Bobby Lou in his nightmares tonight.

The only thing missing to complete Luongo’s nightmare this evening is if the crowd would have joined together to sing Chelsea Dagger after every song.  They could have gotten away with it tonight as the crowd had a good showing of Blackhawks fans in a half empty stadium.

Next Up

The Blackhawks head home after a successful road trip (3-0-1), to a home game against the Anaheim Ducks, on Monday night, 7:30pm.  It starts a string of five games in seven days.