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Here are four points to remember about the Toronto Super Bowl 5-4 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena on Wednesday:
1. Own the departure
"It was a game of measurement, it's the best team in the league and we were not ready to play, they almost slapped us … The effort was not there from time to time. I think in the third period goal we just left, it's about us as players, we have to wake up. "
It was Auston Matthews that the Maple Leafs deployed for two nights against the Tampa Bay Lightning, who beat them 6-2 in their barn. The Blackhawks were waiting for the local team to come out of the gates.
But it was the team on the road who really did it. The Blackhawks scored four consecutive goals in the first period (and a fifth in the second period), prompting boo birds to rain in Toronto for the second straight game. It was the first time since January 18 and 20 that the Maple Leafs lost two consecutive games in regulation.
2. Survive the push …
When you score five goals in a row, the most dangerous thing you can do is sit on that lead, especially in the face of such a mighty offensive as the Maple Leafs showed at their first meeting October 7 in Chicago. The Blackhawks did not force themselves down, but they were certainly preparing for a rollback and that is exactly what happened. Especially in the third period.
Corey Crawford, who stopped 17 of 18 shots in the first two periods, was removed from the game early in the third period due to an illness. Collin Delia was relieved and faced 30 throws in the third period only, three of which found the back of the net as the Maple Leafs reduced their deficit to 5-4. This is the second time of the season that the Blackhawks have allowed at least 30 shots in a period. The first match took place on October 21st, when they gave 33 in the second half to Tampa Bay.
But the Blackhawks have barely held up to secure both points. They made it much closer than necessary.
3. Break down the numbers
On Wednesday, the Maple Leafs were by far the No. 1 team in goal-scoring equal chances, with 27.1 points, according to naturalstattrick.com. The Blackhawks were the last to equalize in equal goals per game allotted to 26.2, of which 11.9 were moments of great danger. And that showed.
The Blackhawks conceded the highest total of the season with 95 shot attempts and 58 scoring chances, tied with the Maple Leafs, 18 of which were high-risk opportunities. Fifty of 95 shot attempts and 26 of 58 equal-scoring opportunities occurred in the third period.
The Blackhawks were 30-12 in the third period after defeating the 27-18 Maple Leafs in the first two periods. The tides have completely turned in the final frame, and fortunately for the Blackhawks, they have built a big enough lead to help them survive.
4. Closer to the playoffs …
Just when you think they've come out of the situation, the Blackhawks are finding a way back into the playoff race. That happened in February and it is happening again in March.
With this win, the Blackhawks have collected eight of the eight possible points in their last four games and have earned less than four points from the Western Conference's wildcard second place. Like the Blackhawks, there are 12 games remaining for the three teams they are pursuing, so there is still some way to go.
But they are much closer than they were after the Blackhawks looked dead in the water after their trip to the west coast. Can they continue running until April?
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