NHL 20 sim: Blackhawks defense shines, puts Blues on brink of elimination

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Game 4: Blackhawks vs. Blues (April 15)

Result: Blackhawks win 2-1 (Blackhawks lead series 3-1)

Three Stars:
 
First Star: Connor Murphy (1 G, 1 A, +2)
Second Star: Corey Crawford (21 Saves)
Third Star: Jonathan Toews (1 G, +1, 3 SOG, 9-15 FO)

While Olli Maatta had been a big offensive contributor from the back end in games prior, Game 4 was Connor Murphy’s turn to chip in from the blue line. He factored in on both goals and paced a Blackhawks defense that allowed just one goal and only 22 shots. Crawford and Toews stepped up in big moments like they have in past playoff games, pushing the Blues to the brink of elimination.

Scoring Summary:

First Period

4:35 Connor Murphy (A. Nylander, P. Kane) 1-0
10:20 SH Alex Pietrangelo (I. Barbashev) 1-1
 
Second Period

2:45 Jonathan Toews (A. Debrincat, C. Murphy) 2-1

Third Period

No Scoring

RELATED: Patrick Kane on self-isolation, Artemi Panarin and message to Blackhawks fans

Box score:

Shots on goal

St. Louis: 22

Chicago: 29

The Blackhawks defense stepped up yet again, allowing just 22 shots on goal for the second time in the last three games. The high-powered Blues offense has been held in check since their Game 1 eruption by a Blackhawks defense clicking at the right time. The Blackhawks' first line came through once more, as Toews notched the game-winning goal, making it 18 combined points in the last four games for the Saad-Toews-DeBrincat line.
 
Goalies

Jordan Binnington 27/29 (.931 SV%)

Corey Crawford: 21/22 (.955 SV%)

Both goalies turned in their best efforts of the series. While Crawford has been at his best since the Game 1 letdown, the Blues were waiting for Binnington to look like the goalie that carried them to a Cup last season. They finally got that effort today, as Binnington put in his best game of the series but it still wasn’t enough as Crawford outdueled him
 
Power play

St. Louis: 0-0

Chicago: 0-3 (SHG allowed)

For the first time in the series, the Hawks finally got a heavy advantage on the power play but still failed to cash in. They came up empty on all three power play chances in this game and are still looking for their first tally with the man advantage for the series, failing to score in seven chances. The Blues' penalty kill was a huge asset in Game 4 and gave them their only source of offense on the night.
 
Notable Blackhawks performances

Alex Nylander (Assist)
Alex DeBrincat (Assist)
Patrick Kane (Assists )
All six defensemen 

Patrick Kane and Nylander both assisted on the opening tally of the game. Kane had been silent since Game 1 and Nylander’s hot streak seemed to be flaming out, so getting these two back on the score sheet is huge, if the Blackhawks want to pull off the upset.

The Blackhawks’ red-hot top line continued their dominance as DeBrincat and Toews combined for the game-winning goal. Lastly, the Hawks' defense, which had been much-maligned all season, stepped up yet again, allowing just 22 shots on net. With the exception of a shorthanded goal allowed, the Hawks blue line completely shut down one of the most potent offenses in hockey.

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