Why Blackhawks' 'situational awareness' must improve
There are many ways the Blackhawks must improve if they want to return to the Stanley Cup playoffs next season.
Chief among them: Figure out how to shore up a leaky defense, add forward depth and make sure Corey Crawford can stay healthy for all 82 games.
Another less obvious way the Hawks can get better is to play smarter at critical times.
"I call it situational awareness," said coach Jeremy Colliton before the Hawks defeated St. Louis 4-3 in a shootout Wednesday night at the United Center. "You've got to know where you're at in the game."
So get the puck in deep during the last five minutes when nursing a 1-goal lead. Don't take unnecessary risks when you're up by 3 or more. Stay out of the penalty box.
Simple, basic stuff.
"Sometimes you're up 4-1 midway through the second - maybe it's not that important to get the fifth goal," Colliton said. "We want it, but it means more to the game for them to get the second than for us to get the fifth. We've had those situations. ...
"It's a big reason why we're on the outside looking in - because we're not polished yet in that area of the game."
The Hawks continued to show that immaturity against the Blues after building a 3-1 lead on goals by Jonathan Toews, Artem Anisimov and Patrick Kane. Kane's goal, which gave him a career-best 107 points, came with 8:23 remaining.
Dominant Hawks teams of the past would have coasted to victory at that point. But not this one.
Dylan Strome was whistled for holding 22 seconds after Kane scored, and St. Louis cashed in when David Perron scored with 7:37 remaining.
The Blues, fighting with Nashville and Winnipeg for the Central Division title, then got a game-tying goal from Tyler Bozak with 38.9 seconds left.
Toews scored the only goal in the shootout, allowing the Hawks to escape and improve to 35-33-12.
"There's been stretches throughout this season where we're giving up late goals or not closing off wins.
"I think that just comes with experience and knowing how to play the right way," said Brandon Saad, who picked up an assist. "In the past, anytime we (had) a lead it feels like we're (going to) win the game."
Toews has a career-high 35 goals. Cam Ward made 37 saves in his first action since March 3.
The Blues (43-28-9, 95 points) are 1 point behind Nashville and Winnipeg. All three teams have two games remaining.
Slap shots:
Patrick Kane's 107 points are the most by a Blackhawks player since Jeremy Roenick had that many in 1993-94. … The Blackhawks recalled defenseman Dennis Gilbert from Rockford on Wednesday and paired him with Connor Murphy against St. Louis. Gilbert, whom the Hawks took in the third round of the 2015 draft, dished out a game-high 6 hits in 12 minutes, 46 seconds. … The Hawks have played an NHL-high 24 overtime games. … The Hawks honored Phil and Tony Esposito with One More Shift before Wednesday's game against St. Louis. … Dylan Sikura, who was assigned to Rockford, scored 2 goals in the IceHogs' 5-3 victory over San Antonio on Tuesday.