Bolland's back and all is right with the Hawks
When it comes to important players for the Blackhawks, Dave Bolland ranks right there with anyone on the roster.
The Hawks are a different team with Bolland in the lineup, centering the third line, checking the opposition's best players, killing penalties and chipping in with the kind of skill that is way better than average for someone considered a defensive guy.
After missing Friday's season opener with a mysterious “upper body” injury, Bolland was back in the lineup for the home opener Saturday and all was right again for the Hawks in a 5-2 win over Dallas at the United Center.
Bolland scored 2 goals, led everyone with 5 shots on goal, won 12 of 18 faceoffs and was in the middle of a defensive effort as a team that held the Stars to just 21 shots on goals.
“He makes a difference immediately,” Hawks coach Joel Quenneville said. “You look at the way he turned the series around when he rejoined us in the Vancouver series down 3-0. It seems like everybody has got more purpose in our lineup and the lines seem to fit together nicely.”
The Hawks ran out the three centers they feel give them the best chance of winning in Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane and Bolland.
“I think any player can feel a difference when Bolly's in,” Toews said. “He's always doing a great job playing against the other team's top line. I think you realize how tough it is, especially when you lose a centerman. It gives your team so much depth up front when you can roll four lines.”
The Hockey News recently named Bolland the best grinder in the NHL, even if he doesn't quite fit the classic description of one.
“The reason he's so valuable is he embraces the role as a player who doesn't need the limelight,” Hawks general manager Stan Bowman said.
“He doesn't need the points. There aren't too many guys that are accepting of a role where, ‘I'm going to go out and stop the other team's best player and if I score in the process, that's great.' I guess in my mind, typically your grinders are maybe a little less talented than Bolland, but he certainly takes that role and runs with it.”
The Hawks were several notches better than they were in Friday, starting defensively.
They also got a power-play goal from Andrew Brunette to open the scoring in the first period and first goals of the season from offensive leaders Toews and Patrick Sharp.
Goalie Corey Crawford was excellent for the second night in a row, outplaying Stars surprise starter Andrew Raycroft.
“We weren't bailing out of areas and we were winning puck battles,” Toews said.
“I thought we had a lot more energy, made better decisions with the puck and had a little bit more patience with it as well,” Quenneville said. “I thought our defense had a better game and we had some timely scoring as well.”
Dallas coach Glen Gulutzan went with his backup even though Kari Lehtonen stoned the Hawks in Friday's 2-1 win in Texas.
Brunette's goal came at 8:06 of the first period and was scored from where he is expected to make a difference this season — from in front of the net on a rebound.#376; Follow Tim's Hawks reports via Twitter @TimSassone and check out his Blackhawks blog, Between the Circles, for more on the team at dailyherald.com.