Hawks Beat Panthers 3-1

The Chicago Blackhawks took on the Florida Panthers in snowy Chicago on Friday night.  After the game was delayed by weather and a late arriving Panthers bus both teams got off to a bit of a shaky start.  After both teams failed to score on shortened power play chances it was the Captain giving the Hawks a late first period lead.  Patrick Kane found Jonathan Toews on a stretch pass and sent the Captain in alone forehand backhand 1-0 at 17:40.  Two minutes later with Keaton Ellerby off for boarding Andrew Shaw, Duncan Keith unloaded a missile from the left point that beat Jose Theodore clean for a 2-0 lead and a power play goal at 19:43.  The Hawks outshot the Panthers 8-5 in the opening twenty minutes of play.      

                                             

The Kane, Toews, Stalberg line took over in the middle frame and Patrick Kane broke out of his mini goal scoring slump beating Theodore for a 3-0 Hawks lead.  Andrew Brunette had a goal disallowed when the zebra ruled he made contact with a high stick.  Toronto agreed despite the fact it was clear his stick was below the cross bar when he made contact.  It was the second time in two games the Hawks had a disallowed goal that should have counted and Toronto failed to overturn the call.  Shots were 10 apiece in the middle frame.  Jonathan Toews appeared to injure his left hand or wrist in the period but stayed on the bench and was on ice for the Kane goal.

Jonathan Toews went off for tripping right away and it took Florida just 5 seconds to cash in on the power play 43 seconds into the third period.  Jason Garrison scored his 13^th of the season on a blast from the point to make the game 3-1.  But that would be all Florida would get as the third period finished scoreless the rest of the way.  Shots were 4 apiece in the third period. 

The Hawks will brave the weather to get to Nashville for a huge Central Division matchup with the Predators on Saturday night.  The Preds are suddenly just 6 behind Chicago in the 4 horse race.  The Hawks improved to 29-13-6 on the year and leapfrogged the Red Wings and Blues for the Central Division lead with the win.