5 Chicago Blackhawks Thoughts On 3-1 Win Over Boston

The Chicago Blackhawks and Boston Bruins met for the 2nd time in 24 hours this morning, and when the final horn sounded the Blackhawks skated away with a 3-1 win.  Here are 5 Quick Thoughts on the Win!

5. No Brad Marchand was a late announcement. 

After Brad Marchand hit Anthony Duclair in the first period yesterday, one would have thought that there could be some payback in this morning’s rematch at the United Center.  Right before the game started it was announced that the Bruins star wouldn’t be playing due to a an upper body injury.   Not having Marchand in the lineup really changed the tone of the game.

4. The First Goal of the Game Jinx

The Chicago Blackhawks are now 11-10-0  when scoring first in their last 24 games after winning on Sunday.  The thing about this season is that when the Hawks scored first for the past 10 seasons you could just chalk up a W.  This season they haven’t been able to back up the opening goal with a second one.  They never get to a 2-0 lead like they have for years past.  They did give up a tying goal, but on this day they still got the W.

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3. Powerplay Goals

The Chicago Blackhawks powerplay showed up on Sunday which is such a strange site.  The first goal and the go ahead goals were on the powerplay.  The Chicago Blackhawks powerplay was so bad most of the year, but they did the simple things today which was just get pucks on net which Artem Anisimov tapped in and Patrick Kane lasered one into the back of the net.  At least this is some baby steps heading into the end of the season.

2. Vinnie Hinostroza is Disruptive

Vinnie really is a disruptive player, and I know he isn’t a superstar, but I would like to know what the season would have been like if he’d been up all season long. No matter what line he is on he makes a difference and his speed is a game changer.  No he didn’t score but he’s a difference on the powerplay which was effective on Sunday.

Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook Looked like Themselves for one day

Most of the season the Chicago Blackhawks defense has been really suspect, and you can point to both Keith and Seabrook as reasons why.  On Sunday they looked like themselves for at least one game.  Keith was back to shutting players down on the defensive end, and Seabrook scored the third goal of the game and made a couple of nice defensive plays.  It would take a lot for them not to be Blackhawks next season so seeing them find their game for at least a game was encouraging.

Next: Can Saad Have a Bounce Back Season?

What are your thoughts on today’s game?