Four points from Connor Bedard. A goal from Kevin Korchinski. A full sixty minutes of hockey that saw the Chicago Blackhawks overcome a short bench.
Who had a 5-3 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning this early in the season? Not only did they snap a long losing streak to the Lightning that saw them win just once in thirteen tries until tonight.
The rookies were two of the shining stars in the game, but it was a full team win–something the Blackhawks are trying to make a priority as they try to escape a rebuild as fast as possible.
Blackhawks See Young and ‘Old’ Chipping In
After 12 games, the Blackhawks sit 5-7 in what has been a pendulum swing of winning and losing. Broken into thirds:
- First Four Games: (2-2)
- Middle Four Games: (1-3)
- Last Four Games: (2-2)
But in the wins it’s been fascinating to watch how the efforts aren’t concentrated by just one or two players Take last night’s win as an example:
- Connor Bedard – 4 points (2-2)
- Nick Foligno – 3 points (0-3)
- Philipp Kurashev – 2 points (0-2)
- Tyler Johnson and Corey Perry – 1 goal
- Ryan Donato and MacKenzie Entwistle – 1 assist
But aside from Bedard now leading the team with 11 points (7-4), it’s the duo of Corey Perry (3-5) and Nick Foligno (2-6) who are tied for second on the team in points with eight.
How about Kurashev, who’s at a point-per-game pace right now?
Petr Mrazek has also been outstanding, posting another impressive win and now rising above .5oo to collect four of the five Chicago wins this season.
The team is certainly a hodgepodge of veterans, youngsters, and rookies who are trying to find their way for different reasons.
But the key is that they soldier on, stealing a game so many had them losing.
The challenge comes in that the they’re potentially down three players if injuries to Taylor Hall, Jarred Tinordi, and Andreas Athanasiou turn out to be a long term thing.
But they’ve weathered a strong storm in playing contenders during the first 12 games.
No, they won’t be winning a Stanley Cup this season or likely the next. But between the help that’s on the way along with the players who are helping to build the foundation for that future, Thursday provided a glimpse of just how good things could be for Blackhawks fans if it all goes according to plan.
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