ST. LOUIS, Mo. (AP) — Andrew Shaw committed an untimely penalty that helped cost the Chicago Blackhawks in Game 4, then did something even more dumb that landed him in hot water with the NHL and the league’s fan base.
Both incidents are examples of the Blackhawks losing their cool. Now the defending Stanley Cup champions are on the ropes heading into Thursday night’s Game 5 in St. Louis, with the rival Blues having a chance to rid themselves of their reputation for faltering in the playoffs.
Shaw’s interference penalty with 2:04 left in the third period Tuesday left Chicago short-handed while trying to overcome a one-goal deficit. When he was sent to the box, television cameras clearly showed him directing a homophobic slur toward someone on the ice.
He apologized Wednesday, but the league still suspended him for Game 5 and fined him $5,000. Shaw, who also will be required to undergo sensitivity training, will leave the Blackhawks short-handed again after playing on the top line in Game 4.
“It was hard to see. Emotions got the best of me,” Shaw said after being shown the video. “I’ll never use that word again, that’s for sure. … That’s not the type of guy I am.”
The Blackhawks normally aren’t the type of undisciplined team they’ve been in the last two games. Patrick Kane took a four-minute high-sticking penalty late in Game 3 that led to the tiebreaking goal in a 3-2 loss, and Blues grabbed the lead early in the third Tuesday on the power play after Duncan Keith’s holding penalty.
St. Louis also took advantage of defensive miscues in its 4-3 victory in Game 4, as Alexander Steen put his team ahead by two goals in the third when he scored unassisted after stealing Trevor van Riemsdyk’s pass.
The Blues have been bounced from the playoffs in the first round each of the previous three seasons, garnering the reputation as a team that can’t keep its composure when things aren’t going its way. Chicago has been that team in this series, though.
Even goaltender Corey Crawford received a roughing penalty in the second for attacking Robby Fabbri after the rookie got an interference call. Chicago’s 78 penalty minutes in Game 4 marked its most in a playoff game since having 90 in a loss to the Minnesota North Stars in 1991.
“We haven’t had that great response when tough stuff happens (in the past),” Blues captain David Backes said. “There’s a good feeling that we’re more cohesive and playing for each other and doing the right things all over the ice than we ever had in this locker room.”
St. Louis certainly is playing some of its best postseason hockey since last advancing to the second round in 2012. Vladimir Tarasenko scored twice in Game 4, and the Blues have outscored Chicago 6-3 in the third period and overtime.
Brian Elliott has been a huge part of the reason Kane, the Art Ross Trophy winner, and Jonathan Toews don’t have a goal in the series. Elliott made 39 saves Tuesday and has stopped 144 of 151 shots faced in the series.
Now St. Louis is headed back home with a chance to close out the Blackhawks, who picked up their only victory in Game 2 at Scottrade Center.
“We just have a belief that we can beat anybody,” coach Ken Hitchcock said.
Chicago has been in this situation before, though. It trailed Detroit 3-1 in the Western Conference semifinals in 2013, won Game 7 in overtime and went on to win the Stanley Cup.
The Blackhawks will need that same resolve, beginning with Game 5.
“We’ve got to regroup, go to St. Louis, get excited,” coach Joel Quenneville said. “No pressure. Go try to win one game and come back (to Chicago) for Game 6. That’s got to be the mindset.”
