Panarin's hot streak could pay off
The last two games may have earned Artemi Panarin a whole lot of money.
The Blackhawks' rookie phenom racked up 3 goals and 5 assists in wins over Winnipeg on Friday and Boston on Sunday, meaning he has climbed into 10th place among forwards with 72 points on the season.
Panarin needs to finish in the top 10 to earn a $1.725 million bonus. Those prospects looked fairly bleak before Friday as Panarin was mired in a no-goal, 2-assist slump over the previous nine games.
But 8 points in two games means those dollars might just be coming Panarin's way.
If he is awarded the bonus, the money will count against the Hawks' cap next season. Coach Joel Quenneville would love to rest some of his regulars in the final game or two if the Hawks' place in the standings is locked in, but he's not likely to sit Panarin with so much money on the line.
"He's really helped us a long the way and he's been very effective and consistent all year long," Quenneville said two weeks ago. "We want to see players do the best they can, and we're not going to get in the way of success."
In the Hawks' 6-4 win Sunday, Panarin scored his 28th goal early in the second period, then he fed Patrick Kane nine minutes later for Kane's 100th point.
"He's been very special the past couple games, obviously," Kane said. "Lot of good shots off the one-timer. That's one of the things too - when he's aggressive and shooting, he can really create because he can have the defense thinking shot-first and then he can make a pass.
"He's one of those guys that can take over a game when he gets going."
Crawford update:
Corey Crawford, still working his way back from an upper-body injury, was on the ice for a second straight day Sunday before the Blackhawks took on the Boston Bruins. Coach Joel Quenneville said he expects Crawford to be able to play in at least one of the Hawks' final three regular-season games.
"We feel he's turned a big corner, and we're heading in the right direction," Quenneville said.
Slap shots:
Andrew Shaw missed a second straight game Sunday and also will not play Tuesday against Arizona. He could return Thursday against St. Louis. … Bruins defenseman Torey Krug took 10 shots on goal Sunday. … The Hawks are 7-4-1 without Duncan Keith in the lineup this season. Brent Seabrook has 4 goals and 11 assists in those games. … The Blackhawks and Bruins paid tribute to linesman Andy McElman before Sunday's game. McElman worked his 1,500th and final game in the NHL.
Top scoring forwards in the NHL:
1. Patrick Kane, Chi. 100
2. Jamie Benn, Dal. 88*
3. Sidney Crosby, Pitt. 82
4. Joe Thornton, SJS 78
5. Joe Pavelski, SJS 76
6. Johnny Gaudreau, Cal. 75
6. E. Kuznestov, Wsh. 75
8. Tyler Seguin, Dal. 73*
8. Blake Wheeler, Wpg. 73
10. Artemi Panarin, Chi. 72
11. Anze Kopitar, L.A. 70
12. V. Tarasenko, StL 69
13. N. Backstrom, Wsh. 67
13. Patrice Bergeron, Bos. 67
15. Alex Ovechkin, Wsh. 66
15. Claude Giroux, Phi. 66
* Late game not included