Shaw sharp for Chicago Blackhawks' win over Predators
Andrew Shaw got off to an awfully slow start this season.
No goals in the first 12 games. Just 3 in the first 27.
Lately, though, the fiery winger has been all over the place, and Tuesday at the United Center he scored the Chicago Blackhawks' first 2 goals in a 3-2 victory over Nashville.
It was the Hawks' eighth straight win and the 782nd of coach Joel Quenneville's career, tying him with legendary New York Islanders coach Al Arbour for second place all time. Arbour, who passed away last August at the age of 82, led the Islanders to four straight Stanley Cup titles from 1980-83.
"Al Arbour was a great coach in our game," Quenneville said. "Everybody always said good things, everybody has a lot of respect for what he's accomplished. (As a player) we always had a heck of a time beating trying to beat him.
"Very special and honored. Feel fortunate."
Quenneville, who also coached in St. Louis and Colorado, is 344-168-69 with the Hawks for a franchise-best .651 points percentage. He signed a three-year contract extension earlier Tuesday.
"He had a (heck) of a day today," said defenseman Brent Seabrook, who scored the Hawks' third goal. "We're happy for Joel. But it was nice to do it here on home ice. The crowd was great and gave him a nice standing 'O' there at the end."
Shaw, who now has 8 goals, admitted he was frustrated with how this season began, but he wouldn't blame it on the short off-season.
"You can say we played a lot of hockey, but we're all in the best shape we can be in," Shaw said. "I just mentally wasn't there, I guess. You know, found my edge again and (got) back in the swing of things."
Nashville made things interesting when Filip Forsberg scored with 36.3 seconds remaining. Ryan Johansen then nearly tied it, but his rocket bounced off Corey Crawford's right shoulder with just a couple of ticks on the clock. Crawford made a season-high 41 saves.
Marian Hossa had 2 assists on his 37th birthday.
Center Artem Anisimov (illness) was a late scratch, giving Richard Panik a chance to make his Hawks debut. Quenneville wasn't sure if Anisimov would be able to travel for Thursday's game at Montreal.