Three takeaways from Chicago Blackhawks 4-1 win over Edmonton

Behind a solid performance from Anton Forsberg and a balanced scoring attack, the Chicago Blackhawks took care of the lowly Edmonton Oilers Sunday at the United Center. Here are my three takeaways from Chicago’s 4-1 win.

Anton Forsberg solid in return

After sitting the last four games in favor of Jeff Glass, Joel Quenneville gave the nod to the original backup goalie, Anton Forsberg. Aside from a Darnell Nurse shot that somehow found its way to the back of the net in the second, the Swedish netminder was stellar all afternoon stopping 32 shots.

The win was his first since Nov.11 against Carolina. Until Corey Crawford returns, you have to image that Quenneville will ride the hot hand in net. Expect to see Forsberg in net on Tuesday in Ottawa.

Is the captain finally finding his stride?

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It’s been no secret that the man known as “Captain Serious” has seriously struggled. However, if the past four games are any indication, there may be some light at the end of the tunnel for Jonathan Toews.

In his last four games, Toews has seven points, including a highlight reel pass to set up Brandon Saad’s goal to make it 3-1 Chicago at the end of two periods.

Dominance at the dot

Among many areas of concern for the Blackhawks is their ability to win faceoffs. Now at the midway point of the season, Chicago ranks 23rd in faceoff percentage (48.9%).

For one day, however, it was the Hawks who had the edge in the faceoff dot. As a team, they went 36 for 22 on faceoffs. The only player to have a sub 50%-win percentage was Nick Schmaltz who went 6-10.

For a puck possession style team like the Hawks, the ability to win faceoffs will be a big factor in the next half of the season.

Next: Late goal hands Blackhawks 5-4 loss to Golden Knights

What’s Next

The Hawks will be in Ottawa on Tuesday night to take on the Senators. Ottawa handed the Tampa Bay Lighting a 6-3 loss on Saturday night. They are currently nine points out of a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.