Hawks rev up after slow start
Crawford steps up
while offense takes
its time arriving
There has been a pattern in the first 11 games for the Blackhawks, and it's not a good one.
They always start games slowly, as if it is baked into the game plan this season.
But unless they are in a traditional March swoon, the Hawks aren't likely to be down the entire game. And over the first month of the season, slow starts have not cost the Hawks position in the standings.
So it should come as no surprise that the Hawks had an awful start Thursday night at the United Center but rebounded before the first period ended to beat the Avalanche 4-0 for their fourth straight victory and Corey Crawford's 21st career shutout.
It has helped that Crawford has been playing like a Vezina Trophy candidate over the last four games. Crawford was big again Thursday, compiling 38 saves and keeping the Avalanche off the board through the first two periods despite the Hawks being outshot.
The Avalanche came out with energy while the Hawks looked like they had spent Wednesday night in Wrigleyville. Through the first 13 minutes, the Avalanche had outshot the Hawks 11-2 and had forced the Hawks into committing two penalties. Crawford saved the Hawks early with a number of difficult saves, including several on the penalty kills.
But the Hawks shook off their doldrums in the latter half of the period to score twice within a minute.
Jonathan Toews got the scoring going when he fought for position in front of goaltender Semyon Varlamov and was in the right spot to put home a rebound of a Duncan Keith shot from the point at 14 minutes, 25 seconds.
Before Toews' goal, the only thing the crowd got excited about was footage of the Cubs winning the World Series on the United Center scoreboard.
Then just 39 seconds later, the Hawks struck again. Marian Hossa scored before he went crashing into the boards while trying to fight off defenseman Fedor Tyutin. Artemi Panarin set up Hossa's goal with a cross-ice pass that banked off the boards.
After he hit the boards, Hossa flexed for the crowd as he screamed in celebration to let everyone know he was going to be all right.
Hossa and Panarin added third-period goals.
For the season, opponents have outshot the Hawks 129-84 in the first periods of games, but the Hawks have outscored them 14-7.
A big reason for that is Crawford, who was pulling magic tricks during the second period to keep the Avalanche off the score sheet. Toward the end of the period, the Avalanche controlled the puck for several minutes, but Crawford turned in a noteworthy performance that earned a standing ovation from the United Center crowd.
The rest of the team didn't exactly deserve one, but the Hawks continue winning.
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