Saad delivers in Chicago Blackhawks' victory
Team success equals individual success.
It's a mantra that Brandon Saad repeated over and over and over again when he managed just 12 goals in the final 76 games last season when the Chicago Blackhawks went 33-39-10.
If that's the case, though, it's fair to wonder why Saad was so quiet during the Hawks' first eight games this season as they got off to a 4-2-2 start.
Well, success finally found Saad as he scored 2 goals during a 3-1 victory over Anaheim on Tuesday night at the United Center.
"It definitely feels good," Saad said. "But that just goes back to keep coming consistently, keeping a level head, keep shooting the puck and they're going to go in."
The game-winner came when Erik Gustafsson fed Patrick Kane with a gorgeous slap-pass, and Kane pounded a shot past John Gibson with 12:43 remaining. The Hawks nursed that 2-1 lead deep into the third period, then had to kill off a Marcus Kruger holding penalty that gave Anaheim a power play with 2:31 remaining.
Ryan Kesler appeared to tie things up with 1:55 to go, but the referees ruled high-sticking on the shot. Saad then put the game away with an empty-netter with 33.6 seconds left.
"He had great speed all over the ice tonight and had the puck way more," coach Joel Quenneville said. "We're happy for him, and he was a big factor in the win."
From forcing Saad to wear a white jersey at practice to skating him on a bottom-six role for four straight games, Quenneville did almost everything imaginable to get his talented winger going.
Against the Ducks, Quenneville promoted Saad to the second line with Kane and Artem Anisimov, and also put him back on the power play.
The moves worked like a charm as Saad's first goal came on the man advantage at 5:24 of the first period. Saad, who finished with 7 shots on goal and played nearly 19 minutes, insists he didn't play any differently than in previous games.
"(Against Tampa Bay), I hit a couple posts and if those go in, you have a different hockey game," Saad said. "We end up losing, I end up not scoring and you kind of feel a little bit down. But just keeping that speed going (and it's) going to help me have success."
Two nights after allowing 55 shots to the Lightning - including a modern-day record 33 in the second period - the Hawks allowed just 25 in the entire game to the Ducks. Quenneville's squad had numerous extended shifts in the offensive zone and allowed very few Grade-A chances.
"We didn't give them much all night," said Corey Crawford, who has allowed just 5 goals in his three starts. "Especially when we got the lead I thought we got even better. That's nice to see us do in a tight game and everyone play defense together.
"That was a big win for us after a tough game."
The Ducks (5-4-1) have lost three straight. They played without injured forwards Corey Perry, Patrick Eaves, Jakob Silfverberg and Ondrej Kase. Gibson, who ranks No. 1 in save percentage since the beginning of the 2016-17 season, made 35 saves.