Blackhawks End Losing Streak Against League Worst Blue Jackets

Had the Blackhawks not beaten the Blue Jackets last night, there would have been real panic in Hawk-eytown.  But they took care of business against the league's worst team, ending their three game losing streak with a 6-3 win.

After two lackluster performances against the Canucks and Blues, the Blue Jackets were exactly what the Blackhawks needed to get back on the right path.  Columbus now has only 5 points on the season through their first 15 games. 

"The Captain" made sure the losing streak would end with a three point night.  Jonathan Toews staked his team to a 1-0 and 2-1 lead in the first period and later assisted on the Blackhawks' sixth and final goal of the night.  All but six players tallied a point last night, with Brent Seabrook, Nick Leddy, and Steve Montador each getting two points.

Outside of Toews, the other goal scorers on the night including Montador, Andrew Brunette, Patrick Kane, and Marian Hossa.

The biggest stories to come out the game were the power play and the penalty kill.  First the good news...the Blackhawks finally converted on the man advantage, going 2-for-3.  Coming into the game, the Blackhawks had the worst power play unit in the league, only scoring 5 goals in their first 57 chances.  While the chances had been there over the last several games, chance don't win you games.  Goals do.

With PP goals by Andrew Brunette and by an unlikely contributor, Steve Montador.  Scoring on the power play was exactly why the Blackhawks got Brunette and he's given them what they wanted: all three goals that Brunette has this season have been scored with the man advantage.  Montador has only been on the power play over the last few games, but he made the most of it, getting both a power play goal and assisting on Brunette's goal.

Montador also had the Gordie Howe hat trick last night when he got into a fight in the first period.  Goal, assist, and a fight...pretty busy night for a player that frankly has been a disappointment up to this point.  He was a prized signing in the off season and he hasn't played up to the level he needs to in order for the Blackhawks to be successful.  Hopefully his play in last night's game will mark a turning point for him.

Now the bad news...the Blackhawks penalty killing has fallen off the rails.  They gave up two more goals last night and following the first PP goal against, had been scored on seven out of their last nine penalty kills.  You can't be a dominant team in this league if you don't have good special teams play.  And right now, both units are in the bottom third of the NHL.

They need to get the special teams rectified and quickly, as the annual circus trip is just around the corner, meaning six straight road games.

Next up for the Blackhawks is a home game tonight (Friday) at the UC against the first place Edmonton Oilers with former Blackhawks goalie Nikolai Khabilbulin having an outstanding year, leading the league in both goals against and save percentage.