Blackhawks Top Line, Crawford, Shutout Oilers, 4-0

The Edmonton Oilers came into Chicago, their 3rd stop on a 4 game road trip, to take on the Blackhawks at the United Center.  The Oilers came in winning 6 of their last 7.  The Blackhawks, 4-2-1, in their last 7.  It was the Blackhawks though who would take this game as the top line of Toews-Hossa-Teravainen combined for 3 goals and 6 assists and Corey Crawford recorded his 5th shutout of the year to beat the Oilers, 4-0.

In the first, both teams took turns having scoring chances, but could not find the back of the net.  The Oilers held slight momentum for the first half of the period and the Hawks had the slight edge for the second half of the period.  With exactly six minutes left in the period, Teuvo Teravainen made a nice outlet pass to Marian Hossa who floated a pass to Jonathan Toews who one-timed a slapshot past Oiler goalie, Cam Talbot, to complete a 2-on-1 break, to give the Hawks a 1-0 lead, which held till the end of the period.

The second period was similar to the first.  Both teams with great chances to dent the net, but nothing happening.  Then once again, it was the top line of Toews-Hossa-Teravainen that did the damage.  Teravainen slapped a one-timer past Talbot after a nice defensive play by Hossa to keep the puck alive and Toews with a great pass to find Teuvo for a 2-0, Hawks lead.  At the end of two periods, the Blackawks outshot the Oilers, 30-24.

The Oilers came out flying in the 3rd, and Crawford had to make some tough saves to keep Edmonton off the board.  Then, 3rd time is a charm.  The top line once again cashes in as Hossa with another nice defensive play, gets the puck to Toews, who throws the puck on net, and Teravainen is there to pick up the garbage goal to make it, 3-0, Hawks.  Shortly after, Artemi Panarin, scored his 4th goal in 3 games against the Oilers to finish the scoring from a nice stretch pass from Brent Seabrook.

Notable mentions: The untold story tonight was the play of Corey Crawford who stopped all 33 shots for his 3rd shutout in his last 4 games and 5th of the season, which leads the NHL.  The last time a Blackhawk goalie did that was February, 1995, when Ed Belfour did it.  Marcus Kruger fell awkwardly into the boards in the middle of the 2nd period and did not return for the 3rd period.  He looked to have been holding his wrist/shoulder.  And for the Patrick Kane streak watch, he got an assist on the Panarin goal.  Point streak at 1 game and counting.

Three Stars Of The Game
1st - CHI - Teuvo Teravainen (2G 1A) +3
2nd - CHI - Jonathan Toews (1G 2A) +3
3rd - CHI - Marian Hossa (3A) +3

Next Game: Saturday, December 19th, Away vs. Buffalo Sabres 12PM

LET'S GO HAWKS!!!