Hawks showing off their firepower
With 19 goals in the last three games, the Blackhawks are showing why they have the top offense in the NHL.
The Hawks are coming off wins of 6-2 over Florida and Dallas, and a 7-2 drubbing of Philadelphia on Wednesday.
“It’s a credit to our team game,” said Patrick Sharp, who has 4 goals in the last three games. “We know we’ve got guys in here who can put up big numbers and score goals. When we’re playing well in all three zones that’s when our offense usually clicks.”
The Hawks had seven different goal scorers against the Flyers and that didn’t include Marian Hossa, who chipped in 3 assists.
“We know (the firepower) is there,” Jonathan Toews said. “We know that when everyone is going and everyone has that confidence you see that’s the potential we have as a team. It’s nice for our collective confidence as a team that whether your line scores or not, someone else is finding the back of the net. It’s that type of momentum we want to keep going.”
The last time the Hawks scored at least 6 goals in three straight games was in January 1993.
“It’s nice to see some offensive contributions from all over our lineup,” Toews said. “Sometimes it’s easy and things happen for you and you’re getting the bounces. I think the last few games have been a good example of that.
“We’re playing consistent. Whether we have to win a tight one or we can open wide up, it doesn’t matter to us, we’ll find a way to win. I think it’s a confidence booster for a lot of guys to have a chance to score.”
Raanta time:
The way the schedule works out for the Hawks, Antti Raanta might play every game until Corey Crawford recovers from his leg injury. Raanta ran his record to 5-0-1 with the win over the Flyers on Wednesday.
“It seems like he’s getting more confident with every game,” Patrick Sharp said. “He’s having fun and fits right in our locker room. He’s fun to be around.”
Raanta said it was great hearing the fans chant his name in the third period after he stopped first Brayden Schenn and then Michael Raffl on short-handed breakaways.
“When I get known to the people a little bit more it’s nice,” Raanta said.
“He’s playing great and is very flexible,” Andrew Shaw said. “I think he deserves everything he’s getting right now. He’s a great goaltender and works really hard for it. The fans have welcomed him with open arms.”
Ring’s the thing:
A contingent of Hawks front-office people, led by president and CEO John McDonough, will be in Toronto on Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m. to donate a 2013 Stanley Cup ring to the Hockey Hall of Fame.
The ring will be part of a special Stanley Cup display, displayed alongside the first-ever Stanley Cup ring (1893) belonging to Billy Barlow (MAAA); Bill Hay’s 1961 ring, won with the Hawks; Daryl “Doc” Seaman’s 1989 ring from Calgary; and Bob Johnson’s 1991 ring from Pittsburgh.
The display also contains rings from the 2007 (Anaheim), 2008 (Detroit), 2009 (Pittsburgh), 2010 (Chicago), 2011 (Boston) and 2012 (Los Angeles).
Tip-ins:
The Hawks have power-play goals in seven straight games. “We’re shooting the puck more and that starts everything,” said coach Joel Quenneville. ... Left wing Bryan Bickell, out since Nov. 18, when he hurt his left knee at Colorado, is expected to return to practice Friday.