Blue Jackets goalie makes life miserable for Hawks in 2-1 loss
Sometimes you've got to tip your cap - or tap your stick - to the opposing goaltender.
Such was the case Friday at the United Center when Joonas Korpisalo backstopped Columbus to a 2-1 victory over the Blackhawks by turning away 31 shots, 19 of which came in the second period.
The Hawks, who got a second-period power-play goal from Dylan Strome, fell to 2-4-3 and failed to record a point for the first time since Game 3.
Columbus (4-2-3) extended its point streak to seven.
Korpisalo's biggest save came with 3:11 remaining when he lunged to his right and somehow got his blocker on a Patrick Kane one-timer that was sizzling at the net from just 13 feet away. Twenty seconds earlier Korpisalo stood tall and staved off Kane's tip attempt.
It was a truly sensational performance from the 26-year-old, who spent the first four years of his career backing up Sergei Bobrovsky.
"He's a good goalie, he moves quick. Made some big saves," Strome said. "Think we missed a couple chances too."
Kevin Lankinen, who is good friends with Korpisalo, started for the fifth time in six games for the Hawks and made 25 saves. Whether it's via text or phone call, Lankinen figures to hear about this result from Korpisalo for at least a day or two.
"Last time we played against each other, that was 7 years ago in the Finnish League and I got the win," Lankinen said. "So I got seven years to get to him. I think he'll come back at me for a little while."
The Hawks were all out of sorts in the first period. They put just 4 shots on goal, could barely complete a pass and failed miserably on an early power play.
The second period was a different story and they finally solved Korpisalo when Strome scored at 10:47 to make it 2-1.
Seven minutes earlier the Hawks put together a strong shift in Columbus' zone that included four solid scoring chances, the last of which came when Ian Mitchell charged the net and failed to convert on a 10-foot wrist shot.
The puck then squirted to the corner and Oliver Bjorkstrand hoisted a pass to Eric Robinson, who outraced Kane and Duncan Keith into the offensive zone. Robinson's 31-foot wrister beat Lankinen to make it 2-0.
The goal didn't bother coach Jeremy Colliton, who believes his young team will eventually convert more often.
"We had 'em vulnerable and that's the time to push," Colliton said. "We want to be aggressive in those situations. We had a full change and you want to execute there. You want to make teams pay.
"At the same time when they do win the puck back, we've got to be ready to defend. ... There's a lot left on the table for us to create just a little bit more and have a little more killer instinct. We'll get better at it."
Colliton was happy with the overall effort and also pleased that Korpisalo's performance didn't change the way the Hawks played. They stayed patient, defended well and didn't give up many odd-man breaks.
"I feel like in the past - since I've been here anyway - when things don't happen we decide we're going to trade chances," Colliton said. "That might work on any given night, but over the long haul it just won't. ...
"I'd rather do it this way than throw caution to the wind and trade a 4-on-3 for a 2-on-1 (or) trade a 3-on-2 for a breakaway.
"That's bad math. So I just want us to stick with it."