10 events that defined Blackhawks' season
It was a season filled with peaks and valleys for the Blackhawks, who won as many as eight in a row and finished with a season-high four-game losing skid en route to their 102-point season. While there were plenty of memorable moments that dotted their path to playing the Nashville Predators in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, here is a glimpse back at 10 events that helped shape the season:
Oct. 15, 2014 (United Center)Calgary 2, Blackhawks 1, OTWhy it mattered: It was the third game of the season and first red flag that goals might not be as easily scored by the Hawks, who outshot the Flames 50-18 and went 1-for-7 on power plays. Calgary goalie Jonas Hiller got kudos for making 49 saves, but most of the shots weren't taken from high-scoring areas.
Nov. 16, 2014 (United Center)Blackhawks 6, Dallas Stars 2Why it mattered: After a pregame ceremony prior to his 1,000th NHL game, Brad Richards led the Hawks with primary assists on two of four goals in the third period that broke the game open. What followed was the Hawks' hottest stretch of the season, with wins in 13 of 15 games. That included a season-high eight wins in a row, which began on the annual Circus Trip.
Dec. 2, 2014 Johnny's IceHouse WestBlackhawks practiceWhy it mattered: The Hawks practiced without Corey Crawford and coach Joel Quenneville announced afterward that his starting goalie was out with an “off ice” injury. It turned out to be an ankle sprain that occurred Dec. 1, when Crawford missed a step leaving a concert in Chicago. It was his second injury this season and he missed eight games, which allowed the Hawks to play 26-year-old rookie Scott Darling.
Dec. 21, 2014 (United Center)Blackhawks 4, Toronto 0Why it mattered: After they filed into the United Center in the morning, the Hawks were informed about the stunning death of Clint Reif, their assistant equipment manager. They pulled together for a win, but soon lapsed into a long stretch of mediocrity. The Hawks didn't win more than two in a row again until almost three months later.
Jan. 1, 2015 (Nationals Park)Washington 3, Blackhawks 2Why it mattered: More than the lost opportunity to gain at least a point by allowing the game-winner late in the third period, the bigger issue was losing forward Kris Versteeg to a fractured left hand. Versteeg, who was hit by a shot, missed 16 games.
Feb. 22, 2015 (United Center)Boston 6, Blackhawks 2Why it mattered: The Hawks were trounced on NBC's Game of the Week and lost defenseman Johnny Oduya for six games after an injury during his first shift. Afterward, it appeared a team meeting took place. Reporters entered the locker room after a long wait and saw nearly every Hawks player sitting in front of their locker still in full uniform.
Feb. 24, 2015 (United Center)Blackhawks 3, Florida 2 SOWhy it mattered: The Hawks' season was changed by a crosscheck that knocked Patrick Kane off balance and sent him hard into the boards shoulder first 7:49 into the game. The Hawks lost their leading scorer, Kane, who needed surgery and is still trying to return from a fractured collarbone.
March 18, 2015 (MSG)Blackhawks 1, NY Rangers 0Why it mattered: It happened just 10 days after the Rangers beat the Hawks in overtime by the same score and the winning goal was scored by Richards, whom the Rangers set free last summer with a contract buyout. Were the two games sneak previews of a Stanley Cup Final?
April 3, 2015 (First Niagara) Blackhawks 4, Buffalo 3Why it mattered: Five days after scoring with 31 seconds left in regulation to beat the Winnipeg Jets at MTS Centre, captain Jonathan Toews did it again. This time he scored two goals in a span of 47 seconds during the final 1:43 of the third period to beat the stunned Sabres. It capped a huge week for Toews, who also scored in a win against Vancouver.
April 5, 2015 (United Center)St. Louis 2, Blackhawks 1Why it mattered: After pulling within a point of both the St. Louis Blues and Nashville Predators with four games left, the Hawks fell flat on their home ice and lost 2-1 to start a four-game losing streak to end the regular season. Had they won and then gotten another point in any of the three remaining games, the Hawks would've earned home-ice advantage in the first round.