Blackhawks energy play drought extends to 2023

The collection lasted so lengthy that it was virtually forgotten. But it surely nonetheless exists.

Certainly, the Blackhawks have gone 122 straight video games and not using a quarterback scoring a power-play objective.

Conor Murphy was the final to attain as soon as, doing so in opposition to the Panthers on Might 1, 2021. Final season, the Hawks turned the primary workforce in 1970-1971. After the Sabers went a whole season and not using a energy play scoring defenseman. And 35 video games into the season, the Hawks are deserted once more.

Seth Jones has produced some first rate possibilities to interrupt the drought this season. He has 33 pictures and eight scoring alternatives on the ability play. Different Hawks defenders, principally Caleb Jonesadded 24 pictures and eight extra scoring possibilities.

However with no luck in opposition to the Blue Jackets on Saturday, the streak has now stretched to 2023, its third calendar 12 months.

Saturday was a tough afternoon for the Hawks energy play, which went 0-for-5 and allowed two shorthanded objectives (albeit one into an empty internet). The ability play loved loads of zone time and took 15 pictures and 5 scoring possibilities, however to no avail.

It was disappointing given the progress the unit confirmed in opposition to the Blues on Thursday, an evening that was highlighted by Patrick Kane scoring on the finish of one of many Hawks’ finest energy performs in current reminiscence.

The motion of the gamers was key, as was the foot. Kane, Seth Jones and Max Domi circled round and spent various quantities of time at fullback above the zone, stopping the Blues’ penalty kill from settling into the construction.

“We moved it rapidly,” Seth Jones stated. “It hasn’t been like that for some time this 12 months. However we have been all in numerous positions, transferring, studying one another and transferring the knife.”

The Hawks’ energy play has fallen to twenty fourth within the NHL this season with a internet turnover price of 16.2%.

Stalock leaves

In October, it appeared Alex Stalock He was clawing again the Falcons’ beginning goalie job till a much-discussed concussion knocked him out of the rotation fully.

Now Stalock can resume his work. Coach Luke Richardson Saturday gave him his second straight begin, and he as soon as once more performed nicely in powerful circumstances, making 34 saves on 37 pictures.

”[Given] shot makes an attempt and cargo [today], he gave us an opportunity to win after we weren’t superb as a workforce,” Richardson stated. “He is an enormous a part of our workforce now.”

Added earlier than Andreas Athanasiou“He made some actually unbelievable saves to maintain us in that recreation. It will have been good to assist him slightly bit extra, however he was enormous there.”

Petr Mrazek He’ll possible get the beginning in opposition to the Sharks on Sunday due to the back-to-back, but it surely would not be a shock to see Stalock deal with many of the video games transferring ahead. Sunday marks the beginning of a season-long seven-game homestand.

Jones cheered, Domi whistled

Former Jackets-turned-Falcons Seth Jones and Domi acquired wildly totally different reactions Saturday of their return to Columbus.

Jones, whose scheduled first recreation again in January 2022 was derailed by a constructive COVID-19 take a look at, acquired a standing ovation.

However Domi, whose pre-New Yr’s joke about her household by no means visiting her in the course of the Columbus holidays ruffled many feathers, heard extra heart-pounding gossip.