NHL Playoffs: Blues vs, Blackhawks Game 4, 4-3: Full highlights (Video)

The Chicago Blackhawks were unable to capitalize on their home ice advantage in Game 4 against the St. Louis Blues, losing 4-3 and falling in the series 3-1.

Despite the Blues’ goal, the first period was definitively Blackhawks dominant, certainly not ideal for St. Louis. The ‘Hawks needed this dominance–their front lines have received major heat throughout the series for failing to produce up front (even on strength), especially on second and third chance opportunities to score. Chicago needed to play inside the dots more rather than running around the ice.

Emotions ran high in the second half of period two, after Marian Hossa (not Andrew Shaw) shot the puck unassisted passed Brian Elliott with a wrist shot (32 ft) 9:12 into the period. The first real brawl of the game began with 8:06 remaining: Robby Fabbri of the Blues was tripped in front of the net, and Corey Crawford came out of the crease to get physical.

Yes, the goaltender ripped off his mask and initiated a fight with the forward, resulting in both teams’ front lines joining up in the squabble (obviously Andrew Ladd–who already has 21 hits in the series–was involved).  Moments later, with 7:45 remaining, another scrum ensued.

The high stakes of the game were obviously getting to both teams, as they have been neck-and-neck throughout the contest. With 6:51 remaining in period two, Chicago finally learned to take opportunities given to them rather than hesitating at the net.

Duncan Keith scored his second goal of the playoffs, giving Chicago a 2-1 lead over St. Louis, but their advantage didn’t even last for the rest of the period. Tarasenko, assisted by Alex Steen and Kevin Shattenkirk, scored the second goal for the Blues with 2:29 remaining in the second.

The Blues came back on top less than two minutes into the third period when Schwartz snuck the puck into the net on a power play before Crawford had a chance to stop it. The goal was St. Louis’s second power play goal of Game 4.

By this point, Chicago’s energy seemed spent, like they’d already accepted defeat with just over 15 minutes left in the third period. Alex Steen’s goal 14:26 into the period is proof of it–he picked up the puck, uncontested, and slid it into the goal by Crawford with ease. It wasn’t skilled, it was sloppy Blackhawk puck handling that the Blues forward capitalized on.

The Blackhawks had a moment of hope when Keith scored yet again with 5:20 remaining in the third, but, very much like Game 3, their chances were doomed when an impulsive act of aggression sent Andrew Shaw to the penalty box with about two minutes remaining. And he knew it was a death sentence; he gave officials the double birdie as he headed into the box.

And what do you know, Steen would score an empty net goal on the Blues’s power play with 45 seconds remaining. It was overturned for being offside, but still–it shows the implications of putting a primary Blackhawk in the box when they need him the most.

But don’t worry–they accepted their loss with traditional Blackhawks behavior: a brawl that involves even the official.

Statistically, the Blackhawks dominated puck possession, leading the Blues in shots on goal 42-20. However, Chicago’s dominance on the ice still failed to secure their win at home–and maybe their win in the series. Yet again, the ‘Hawks lost by one goal.

Three Stars

RW Vladimir Tarasenko (BLUES)
The young forward scored two goals and added an assist in Game 4. Among players with at least 15 playoff GP, his 0.76 playoff goals per game average is officially the best in NHL history.

D Duncan Keith (BLACKHAWKS)
Since his return in Game 2, Keith has scored three goals–two of them were in Game 4. Clearly he is making up for lost time by being aggressive, yet strategic, on the ice.

LW Alex Steen (BLUES)
He scored two goals (one overturned) and added an assist in Game 4. He was a huge force for the Blues.

Highlights

With 12:29 remaining in the first period, we saw the first of tonight’s controversies requiring replay and review. Chicago center Artem Anisimov shot on Brian Elliott, which did in fact, end up behind him.  Yet, it was ruled as a no goal–barely.

According to the rules, the puck must completely pass the goal line before it can be considered a valid goal. Now, we saw the puck nearly touch the edge of the line on the replay, but it is clear that the puck landed on the exterior side of the line, allowing Brian Elliott to swipe it away with his skate.

The Blues responded tauntingly with the first “official” goal of the game. With 5:58 remaining in period one, Vladimir Tarasenko got a wrist shot (38 ft) goal, assisted by Jori Lehtera and Jaden Schwartz:

Then, 9:12 into the second period, the Blackhawks finally evened the score. But it was pretty awkward–Andrew Shaw received credit for Marian Hossa’s 32ft wrist shot because he had a presence at the front of the goal. Watch the video–he is clearly surprised by the goal, so imagine how surprised he is to find that he “scored” it?

Probably the most entertaining event of the game was the gigantic brawl a little over halfway into the second period. Fabbri, after being shoved by Jonathan Toews in front of the net, tumbled over Crawford–obviously neither deliberate nor avoidable. Crawford, though, wasn’t having it and immediately left the crease to get physical with the Blues forward:

Next Game

The Blues will try to win it all in Game 5 when the series returns home to St. Louis’s Scottrade Center. The game starts at 9:30 p.m. EST on Thursday, April 21 and will be aired on NBC Sports Network.

For more coverage of the NHL Playoffs, make sure to check out our NHL hub page.