Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports
Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Brent Seabrook turned 28 on Saturday. Maybe that’s not news, but it’s what he did on his birthday that’s pretty noteworthy, even if the Blackhawks took a 3-2 shootout loss to the Phoenix Coyotes.
Seabrook scored two goals in the game, something he hasn’t done since December 2007. His first goal came a little more than halfway through the first period with a slap shot from the left circle that had been beautifully screened. Unfortunately, an incredibly lucky bounce of the puck from a Rostislav Klesla center ice shot tied the game shortly after that, diminishing the birthday mood.
The second Seabrook goal came in the second period, when the Blackhawks were trailing by a point. Patrick Kane distracted four Coyotes players to the right circle before sending the puck backhanded to Seabrook, who went unwatched to the slot and sent his snap shot glove side for the goal. That tied the game again.
The astonishing thing about both goals is that they came on two Blackhawks power plays. Up until Friday night, their power play was lagging terribly and stayed below 20 percent. With their two power play goals against the Nashville Predators and Seabrook’s goals, it looks as though the power play is growing stronger. It’s happening at a great time for the Blackhawks, just in time for the playoffs.
The Blackhawks only gained a point in their shootout loss, but right now points really don’t matter for them. They’ve already clinched a playoff spot, the Central Division title and top seed in the Western Conference. The only thing to gain now is the President’s Trophy, and according to the team, that doesn’t matter to them. For the Blackhawks, all that matters is the next game.
