Sharp, Hawks swat Blue Jackets
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- This was more like it.
The Blackhawks had it all going Friday night, even with Patrick Kane home sick.
Led by Patrick Sharp's 2 goals and some strong work by goalie Marty Turco, the Hawks put together their most complete game of the early season in a 5-2 win over the Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena.
Sharp was the man, finishing with 13 shots on goal to establish a club record. Doug Wilson and Grant Mulvey had shared the mark with 12.
Sharp couldn't remember ever putting that many shots on net.
“It's a team mindset, just throwing pucks on net and have a lot of guys going there, Sharp said. “I think a lot of our offense came from that.
“This was a pretty good game from our team. Right from the first shift we were skating as five-man groups and I thought our defense had a great game controlling the play and having good sticks.
Turco made 30 saves to earn his first victory as a Hawk.
“It was a great road win, Turco said. “We know where we want to be. We want to win our division and you can't do that losing games. The 2 points was huge and we have a chance to make it a 4-point weekend.
The Hawks (2-2-1) jumped on the Blue Jackets for a quick 2-0 lead on goals 63 seconds apart by Viktor Stalberg and Marian Hossa midway through the first period.
Stalberg's goal helped set the tone for the night by the way he scored it, showing the speed general manager Stan Bowman raved about when he acquired the winger from Toronto for Kris Versteeg.
Stalberg blew through Jakub Voracek and Fedor Tyutin to beat goalie Steve Mason in tight.
“The pace was fast early and it was the type of goal that we're looking for, Hawks coach Joel Quenneville said. “That got us going.
Just over a minute later, Hossa banged home a rebound for his fourth goal of the season.
The Blue Jackets got a short-handed goal from R.J. Umberger 1:11 into the second period to make it 2-1, but Sharp answered with a shorty of his own at 9:46 on a 2-on-1 with Jake Dowell.
Sharp scored again two minutes later on a Troy Brouwer rebound.
“He had one of those nights, Quenneville said. “He scored on a nice play short-handed to respond to their shorty. He was in the right place all night.
The Hawks put the game away 15 seconds into the third period when Tomas Kopecky scored on his own rebounds. Kopecky had a goal and assist, giving him 6 points in five games.
Hossa had a goal and assist as well and leads the team with 8 points.
“It was better tonight, Kopecky said. “I wouldn't say we're there, but it definitely was the kind of game we need to play, more simple.
The Hawks killed all 4 Columbus power plays.
“We had some production tonight and good pace to our game, Quenneville said. “We did some good things, but there are still some areas that we still have to improve upon as well. It was a good road win and we bounced back after a tough loss.
Blackhawks game day
Buffalo Sabres at the United Center, 7:30 p.m.
TV: Channel 9
Radio: WGN 720-AM
Game notes: Niklas Hjalmarsson returns from his two-game suspension for Monday's hit on Buffalo's Jason Pominville. Will the Sabres be looking for payback? Pominville remains out with a concussion. The Sabres hosted Montreal on Friday night.
Season series: Hawks lead 1-0, beating the Sabres 4-3 on Monday in Buffalo.
Next: St. Louis Blues at the United Center, 7:30 p.m. Monday
Tim Sassone's game tracker
Blackhawks 5, Blue Jackets 2
<B>Three stars</B>
1. Patrick Sharp, Hawks: Two goals and a team record 13 shots on goal.
2. Marty Turco, Hawks: A 30-save performance for his first win as a Hawk.
3. Brent Seabrook, Hawks: Played a team-high 24 minutes and helped kill all 4 Columbus power plays.
<B>Record setter</B>
Patrick Sharp's 13 shots on goal surpassed the team record of 12 held by Doug Wilson, who did it in 1983, and Grant Mulver, who first did it in 1980.
<B>By the numbers</B>
The Hawks blocked 19 shots (5 by defenseman Nick Boynton) but were outhit 24-12 and lost 55 percent of the faceoffs.