Hawks outplay, not outscore, Ducks
The Blackhawks’ dominance over the Ducks — eight straight wins dating to 2018 — was bound to end eventually.
But they probably didn’t deserve for it to end Tuesday with a 3-2 overtime loss, considering how thoroughly they controlled play throughout regulation.
“We outplayed them for three periods,” coach Luke Richardson said. “That was probably the most ‘O’-zone time and rotation and movement that we’ve had all year. A couple of line rushes maybe [were] a little too fancy [with] that extra pass.
“We just didn’t have that killer instinct to put that third one in in the first 60 minutes. I thought we could’ve been up by a couple of goals by then.”
The Hawks finished with a 62-40 advantage in shot attempts and a 28-15 edge in scoring chances. That 65.1% scoring-chance ratio was their best of the season and, fittingly, their best overall since an 8-3 win over the Ducks last March.
But both teams hit posts a few times, Ducks backup goalie Anthony Stolarz outplayed Hawks starter Petr Mrazek — who allowed two very soft goals in the second period to help the visitors keep pace — and Ducks forward Frank Vatrano eventually snuck behind Max Domi to score the overtime winner.
Jason Dickinson admitted the loss “hurt,” but he individually proved the AllStar break didn’t interrupt his sudden evolution into a star power forward.
The Hawks’ fill-in first-line center in Jonathan Toews’ absence looked fantastic again. He buried a centering pass from Patrick Kane — his new partner-in-crime — for the first goal and powered through the Ducks’ defense before setting up Seth Jones for the second.
After wading through a 17-game point drought that stretched into mid-January, Dickinson’s two points Tuesday gave him goals in three straight games and eight points in his last nine games. He’s now just four points away from his single-season career high of 22.
Hull remembered
The Hawks honored former star Bobby Hull, who died last week at age 84, with a pregame video montage and moment of silence.
But likely as a result of the ugly side of his legacy, they did nothing more than that. Stan Mikita and Tony Esposito, by comparison, were honored with patches and numbers painted on the ice following their deaths.
Outside on Madison Street, a fan had taped a handwritten sheet of paper reading “R.I.P. Bobby” on the railing around his statue.
Different styles
Robb Stauber established a reputation as one of hockey’s most brazen, aggressive, unique goaltenders during his playing career, frequently venturing far out of his crease to challenge opposing shooters.
His son, red-hot Hawks goalie prospect Jaxson Stauber, isn’t quite the same.
“He gave guys something to think about, for sure,” Jaxson said. “I wouldn’t say you’ll catch me doing that too often, but I might throw one of those [rushes] in every so often and come out of the net.”
Instead, Jaxson has worked closely with Rockford goaltending coach Peter Aubry since late last season on lowering his stance and playing deeper in his crease — two adjustments designed to adapt his style from college to pro hockey, where shots are more frequently preceded by horizontal passing plays.
In the half-season since, he said he has gotten more comfortable with that and felt some “good progression there.” His efficiency of movement and comfort level have both been evident in these first two NHL starts.
“Even if there’s some scrambling going on [in front of him], he doesn’t look scrambly,” Richardson said recently.