Chicago Blackhawks keep focus on next game
After shutting out the St. Louis Blues on Sunday in the Chicago Blackhawks' 16th game in 29 days, Corey Crawford was none too pleased with the fourth question thrown at him.
"Does this team need an all-star break right now?"
Crawford's response was quick, and he delivered it in a hardened, businesslike tone: "We got one more game against a team that's kind of been flying under the radar this year. They've been playing good hockey.
"So there's no talks of breaks yet."
That break will be six days off after Tuesday's tilt at Carolina, one of only three teams to beat the Hawks since this brutal grind began Dec. 27. The Hurricanes took down Calgary 5-2 on Sunday and are trying to fight their way into a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
Coach Joel Quenneville's squad has looked fatigued of late, especially in losses at Tampa Bay and Florida last week. They didn't exactly skate circles around St. Louis either but overcame a sluggish first period and eked out a 2-0 victory.
The Blackhawks are tied with the Blues for the most games played in the league to this point (52). So while a drop in energy level is certainly understandable, Andrew Shaw echoed Crawford's thoughts about wanting to let it all hang out against the Hurricanes.
"We have (six) days off, so we might as well blow it all in Carolina and end it on a good note," Shaw said. "Get some rest over the break and get re-energized for the next part of the season."
Crow-mazing:
From 2011-15, Corey Crawford recorded 7 shutouts in 196 starts and won 57.8 percent of the time. Incredibly, he has matched that shutout total in just 41 starts and has a 68.3 winning percentage this season.
Among goalies with at least 20 starts, he ranks second with a .932 save percentage, seventh in goals-against average (2.08) and second in wins (28).
Yet, he won't be in Nashville for the All-Star Game on Sunday.
No matter. The Hawks know he should be there and also recognize that he might just be giving Patrick Kane a run for the team's MVP.
"It's hard to even put it into words (how important he's been)," Trevor van Riemsdyk said. "He seems to make all those big saves. … It's pretty awesome to watch, and I'm just glad he's on our side."
Said Andrew Shaw: "It's unbelievable. He's been our best player for the past few months."
Marked for action?
The Blackhawks recalled winger Mark McNeill on Monday from Rockford and also announced that Jiri Sekac (illness) did not travel with the team to Carolina for their game Tuesday. McNeill, the 18th overall pick in the 2011 draft, has 9 goals and 10 assists in 29 games for the IceHogs.
Slap shots:
Niklas Hjalmarsson blocked a season-high 7 shots Sunday in the Hawks' 2-0 victory over St. Louis. He ranks 15th in the NHL with 100. Teammate Trevor van Riemsdyk is 12th with 103. Colorado's Francois Beauchemin leads the league with 149. … In the three games since being reassigned to Rockford, Bryan Bickell has 1 goal and 1 assist. Vinnie Hinostroza has scored in three of the last four games.
He said it:
"Well, Tazer's the easiest. He's just a big baby. He's an overgrown baby."
Carolina Hurricanes forward Kris Versteeg on the fact that he loves to "chirp" at former teammate Jonathan Toews the most.