Morning Chirps: Blackhawks work on the power play, Team USA wins gold

The Chicago Blackhawks continue to work on some strategic details before they return to action. Defense was the focus on Wednesday, while they put in extra work on the power play yesterday. Meanwhile, the women’s Olympic tournament ended in dramatic fashion with the Americans coming out on top.

Blackhawks Chirps

• Ryan Donato missed yesterday's practice because he and his wife were on baby alert, expecting their second child. Jason Dickinson left practice early, but, fortunately, it was not an injury. Head coach Jeff Blashill said he became ill during drills and headed off early. Hopefully, this bug doesn’t cause the kind of damage we saw in January.

• The power play was the focus of Thursday’s practice. The Blackhawks practiced multiple zone entries, with the drop pass, two drop passes, and no drop pass.

"We kind of went through the first part of the year with basically one look, and I would say, for a long time, it did pretty good, but what happens, even in games, if you’re struggling with that, then there’s frustration that sets in. I think when that frustration sets in, it’s important to have a different look, both for the ability to get in and to fight through the frustration."

Jeff Blashill

• Brian Germinaro took a look at two Blackhawks prospects having huge seasons in juniors and how they might fit in when they get to Chicago.

• On this date in 1944, the Blackhawks and Toronto Maple Leafs played the first “perfect game” in NHL history, as they skated to a 0-0 tie with no penalties called.

• In 1971, Montreal Canadiens legend Jean Beliveau recorded three assists in a 7-1 win over the Blackhawks to become the second player in league history to accrue 1,200 points.

• Blackhawks Birthday Roll Call, Feb. 20: Bill Dickie, Phil Esposito, Bill Orban, Christian Ruuttu, Chris DiDomenico, and Jarred Tinordi.

NHL & Olympic Chirps

• The United States women’s team completed its mission by beating Canada 2-1 in yesterday’s gold medal game at the Olympics. Canada had the only goal for the first 57:56 of the game as Kristin O’Neill scored a shorthanded tally in the first minute of the second period. With just over two minutes to go, Hilary Knight redirected a Laila Edwards shot into the Canadian net to tie the game. The goal gave Knight the most points in U.S. women’s Olympic history. Just over six minutes into overtime, blueliner Megan Keller gave Team USA their third gold medal and first since 2018 with this amazing move.

• According to Emily Kaplan of ESPN, Canada is taking Sidney Crosby’s injury day by day. Canada’s head coach Jon Cooper did not rule him out of today’s semifinal game against Finland. Kaplan reported that Crosby underwent an MRI to assess the damage to his injured right leg.

• Winnipeg Jets defenseman Logan Stanley could be a big trade chip before the deadline; however, he told reporters that he expects contract extension talks to resume over the next few days. If the Jets don’t trade Stanley, that makes a player like Connor Murphy even more valuable on the trade market.

• The St. Louis Blues are expected to get winger Dylan Holloway back in the lineup when they return to action on Thursday. A high-ankle sprain has limited him to just one game since Dec. 12.

• Former Blackhawks defenseman Alex Regula has been assigned to the Bakersfield Condors by the Edmonton Oilers on a conditioning loan. The 25-year-old has up to two weeks to get into game shape. He is not coming off an injury, but has been a healthy scratch since Jan. 20.

• NHL Birthday Roll Call, Feb. 20: Pierre Bouchard, Rick Green, Glen Hanlon, Brent Gretzky, Brendan Witt, Niclas Wallin, Dave Scatchard, Ben Lovejoy, Martin Hanzal, and Jake Walman.