Saturday, March 5, 2011
Posted: 9:11 p.m.Updated: 10:15 p.m.
By Tracey Myers
CSNChicago.com
TORONTOYou dont win eight consecutive games without doing a few things right.
Right now, the Chicago Blackhawks are doing a lot of things right.
The Blackhawks got goals throughout their lineup again and Corey Crawford was stellar again as the Blackhawks won again, this time a 5-3 decision over the Toronto Maple Leafs at Air Canada Centre on Saturday night.
The Blackhawks, who have now collected points in 12 of their last 13 games, are still fourth in the Western Conference with 80 points. Theyre two points ahead of Phoenix and just two behind San Jose, which played late Saturday against Dallas.
If there was any uncertainty coming out of Saturdays game it was the status of defenseman Duncan Keith, who took a shot to the right hand in the third period and missed the last several shifts.
NHL
Im feeling like I would have played if I felt better, said Keith, who remained on the bench through those final minutes. Were going to look at it (Sunday) and see how it is.
The Blackhawks were on the offensive attack early and often again on Saturday. And after so many games where just their top line was scoring, now its everyone. Marian Hossa scored 70 seconds into the game off a bad Toronto pass, and Michael Frolik converted another Leafs miscue about three minutes later. Jonathan Toews continued his torrid streak, scoring his 27th goal to put the Blackhawks up 3-0 after one.
Toews now has a nine-game points streak and seven goals in his last five games.
Viktor Stalberg and Bryan Bickell scored for the Blackhawks, who took a 5-1 advantage after two.
Our guys, its incredible the way were scoring goals, said Crawford, who stopped 30 of 33 for his eighth consecutive decision. The only thing is, when we get up by a couple, not to just let it go and try and stay focused and battle for every shot. This is another huge win for us.
The Blackhawks did have their skittish moments in this one, as would be somewhat expected for a team thats played five games in seven days. When they made mistakes, Crawford was there to clean up the mess.
He was great, especially in the third period, said coach Joel Quenneville. (He made) big saves, the save on the (Mikhail Grabovski) penalty shot and a couple right down the gut. He was huge.
Crawford said he was feeling a little fatigue on Saturday.
I was a little tired tonight. It was really hot on the ice so that played a little factor, said Crawford, who started his 11th consecutive game. It affects everyone. You just have to battle through it and keep working. I feel good.
The Blackhawks are generating offense from everyone and getting great goaltending along with it. They knew this latest stretch was going to be a challenge. With five games in a week complete, its so far, so good.
All year long weve said we needed a roll. Right now were on it, Quenneville said. Lets try to sustain it.
Stalbergs return
Stalberg was rewarded for his work in the second period, when a goal originally given to Tomas Kopecky was later changed to Stalbergs. The left wing, who was traded from Toronto for Kris Versteeg this past offseason, deflected Kopeckys shot for his 10th goal of the season.
I think it was pretty obvious. Kopy would probably like to have it but Im not that nice of a guy, Stalberg said. I dont get too many of those. If I get one, Ill take it.
Ring-ing endorsement
Blackhawks president John McDonough presented a 2010 Stanley Cup ring for the Cup display at the Hockey Hall of Fame here on Saturday afternoon. The ring will is displayed alongside the first Stanley Cup ring from 1893, former Blackhawk and current HHoF chairman Bill Hays 1961 ring, Daryl Seamans 89 ring with the Calgary Flames and Bob Johnsons 91 ring with the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Sopel headed to White House
Defenseman Brent Sopel will join his former Blackhawks teammates when they visit the White House on Friday.
Sopel, who was traded from Atlanta to the Montreal Canadiens a few days before the deadline, told canadiens.com on Saturday I got my invite and the team was nice enough to let me go since its between games. Im quite excited for that experience. Ill make my way down to Washington on the 11th and have some fun at the White House. I dont know what the details are yet, but anytime I can see the Stanley Cup with my name on it, it never gets old.
Tracey Myers is CSNChicago.com's Blackhawks Insider. Follow Tracey on Twitter @TramyersCSN for up-to-the-minute Hawks information.