When a towering defenseman like Louis Crevier scores a breakaway goal, it’s bound to turn heads—especially when it helps snap a team’s losing streak. But here’s where it gets controversial: Was this a fluke moment of brilliance, or a sign of deeper resilience for the Chicago Blackhawks?**
Before taking the helm as Blackhawks head coach, Jeff Blashill had only one fleeting impression of Crevier: his sheer size. “I remember thinking, 'Wow, that guy is massive,'” Blashill recalled from his time as a Tampa Bay assistant. “But beyond that, I didn’t know much about him as a player.” Standing at 6-foot-8, Crevier is an undeniable presence on the ice, and on Wednesday, he found himself in an unlikely scenario—a short-handed breakaway against New York Rangers’ star goalie Igor Shesterkin. With a smooth deke, Crevier broke a scoreless tie early in the second period, setting the stage for a much-needed 3-0 Blackhawks victory at the United Center.
Crevier’s goal wasn’t just luck; it was the result of a calculated play. After nearly stealing the puck at center ice, he drifted toward the Rangers’ net, where teammate Matt Grzelcyk delivered a perfect pass, leading to Crevier’s third goal of the season. “I don’t get many chances like that, but it was a blast,” the Quebec City native said with a grin.
Connor Bedard and Tyler Bertuzzi sealed the deal, with Bedard burying a precise pass from Andre Burakovsky and Bertuzzi capitalizing on a rebound after Bedard’s slick maneuvering. And this is the part most people miss: This win wasn’t just about the score—it was about halting a troubling slide. The Blackhawks had gone 2-6-2 in their previous 10 games, capped by a humiliating 13-1 combined loss to Los Angeles and Anaheim over the weekend, their worst back-to-back performance since 1951. Wednesday’s victory was a lifeline, keeping their playoff hopes alive.
Goalie Spencer Knight, who made 21 saves for his second shutout of the season, downplayed the idea of a ‘bounce back.’ “It’s just another day,” he said. “You’re going to have games like that. Honestly, I really liked my performance in LA.” Yet, he couldn’t help but acknowledge the team’s effort in shutting down the Rangers. “It’s a team shutout, not just me,” Knight emphasized. “Everyone deserves credit.”
Blashill praised his players for addressing issues in practice, particularly highlighting the defensive pairing of Crevier and Alex Vlasic. “When they’re at their best, they’re matched against the opposing team’s top line,” Blashill explained. “They were up against Panarin and Zibanejad all night, and their size and skill make them incredibly tough to play against.”
Looking ahead, the Blackhawks face another back-to-back this weekend, starting in St. Louis on Friday, followed by a home game against Patrick Kane and the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday. Here’s the burning question: Can they avoid another collapse like the one in Los Angeles? Blashill’s advice? “Don’t repeat what we did last weekend. Whatever happened then, just don’t do that.”
What do you think? Is this Blackhawks team truly a playoff contender, or is their recent success just a temporary rebound? Let us know in the comments!
