5 thoughts: Blackhawks vs Sabres - fourth line shines and Soderblom continues to improve
The Buffalo Sabres beat the Chicago Blackhawks, 4-2.
1. Lukas Reichel - Lukas Reichel has been the main discussion point for this season. He needs to start performing and breaking out right now. Well, he did last night, as he was finally put in the lineup. Reichel had a great game against Buffalo, putting up two assists in the second period alone. The last goal to tie the game at two, Lukas was in the right position to receive the puck then moved into the slot. He took a shot which was saved, but then Craig Smith was also there for the rebound. He looked like the best player out there last night, and it showed.
2. Big Hit - Tyler Bertuzzi passed it up the center of the ice to Philipp Kurashev. Kurashev received the puck with his head down, but paid for it when he got rocked by Peyton Krebs. The Hawks didn't like it, in particular Bertuzzi, and it was a 2-on-1 with Kurashev and Bertuzzi jumping on Krebs until all ten skaters got involved.
3. The Fourth Line - The fourth line of Reichel, Athanasiou, and Smith, was hitting on all cylinders last night. Smith had the two goals for Chicago with Reichel having two assists and it seemed as if all the offense came from the last line. It was really refreshing and fun to watch, as it takes a lot of the weight off of the first line to get all the offense, even though they didn't do quite a lot.
4. The First Period - The first period continues to be a struggle for the Hawks, as they always come out struggling, soft, and not into it. It showed at the beginning, but then Chicago ramped up in the middle of it, getting a lot of good chances and showing some physical presence. However, the Sabres got two goals, and left Chicago fighting from behind the rest of the game. That second goal was really unlucky though and awful puck luck. A shot was swiped in from near the blue line and it bounced off Beck Malenstyn's inside skate and trickled into the net. Soderblom's frustration at the end really shows how bad it was.
5. Arvid Soderblom - Soderblom played great and he's still improving. That second goal was just bad luck. Buffalo had the puck for most of the game, and Arvid continued to stand tall and fought hard. Last season, he would've let in probably three or four more. Soderblom is making a case for the backup role position in the future if he keeps playing like this, and so far, he's been consistent. It's just a shame he doesn't have a win under his belt this season yet, as he's earned at least one, especially that game against the Winning Jets last week.
