Game Recap: Hawks @ Coyotes 3/5

Pop the champagne.

The Blackhawks broke the 22 road game losing streak, put up 4 power play goals, and Arvid Soderblom notched his 5th career win (his first since Nov. 24).

Hurry up and drink because that's about all the positives we're getting from this game.

I was genuinely worried that the Hawks would drop this one. With Soderblom in net and the Coyotes being a pretty sorry hockey team (the Hawks lose to bad teams), I was convinced this was a guaranteed L for Chicago's hockey club.

The powerplay goals were nice but given the Coyotes play, I don't think anyone would have struggled to score. And it's a good thing the Hawks capitalized on the powerplay because their 5-on-5 begged for more. It seemed like they were at least trying though, right? And after the last few games, that's all we can ask for before the chapter is closed on this nightmare of a season.

Thoughts

• As I said, the Hawks' 5-on-5 was not great and was masked by the powerplay goals and the fact that the losing streak is finally over. The Hawks posted a 46.32 Corsi for 5-0n-5 play. At all strengths that number jumps up to 51.52. Not too surprising against a team that takes as many penalties as Arizona does.
• Time to check in on my favorite player, Jarred Tinordi. The first Coyotes goal was initiated by Tinordi doing that thing he does where he sucks. Why someone like Tinordi would want to carry the puck into the OZ is beyond me. He ended up falling and nearly cracking the ice as he did so, giving the Yotes a great 2-on-1 rush to tie the game. My point here is that if it were Isaak Phillips doing that, you can guarantee that he gets scratched. Instead, Hawks fans are treated to Rozsival flashbacks as Tinordi has somehow been a regular in the lineup.

• Tinordi wasn't the worst defenseman according to the numbers. Jaycob Megna posted an ugly 1.55 expected goals against at 5-on-5, same as his d-partner, Kevin Korchinski. Where Megna and Korch differ, however, is that Megna posted a 5.61 expected goals share percentage. Korch posted a pretty bad 21.45 xGF%. It's a good thing Megna absolutely doesn't matter.
• Korchinski does matter. He displayed both glimpses of his offensive talent and his lack of defensive talent. It's possible that Korch will spend some time in the AHL next season and that is not a bad thing. He's going to be a great defenseman, he just needs time to grow and mature. The Hawks haven't been able to send him down this season because of his CHL contract.
• Soderblom needed that win tonight. He stopped 37 of 39 shots, good enough for a .949 SV%. He faced and stopped all 8 high danger chances and saved 6 rebound shots. There's also this big save that he made, which was precluded by some awesome Blackhawk skating skill.

• Seth Jones scored 2 goals and had 11 shot attempts and 5 shots on goal.
• Connor Bedard had 2 assists, 1 shot on goal, and 6 shot attempts.
• Tyler Johnson made his case as trade bait with 3 assists.

No, I am not doing a recap of the Avalanche blowout that occurred on Monday night.