[A] Blackhawks Hardware: William M. Jennings Trophy

[Ton]

After acquiring the Division Title, Conference Title, and eventually Presidents Trophy; Blackhawks goaltenders <strong class='bbc'>Corey Crawford[/b] and <strong class='bbc'>Ray Emery[/b] also took home the William M. Jennings Trophy for allowing the least amount of goals (102) in the NHL.

In a full season, goaltenders are required to play a minimum of 25 games in order to capture the award, but in this lockout shortened season they were only required to appear in 14 games to get their name inscribed, which is why Emery made the cut.

The Blackhawks goaltending duo came a long way to win this award after a 22nd place finish in goals against average (2.82 GAA) in the 2011-2012 season vaulting all the way to a first place finish (2.02 GAA) this season to capture the clubs first William M. Jennings Trophy since Eddie "the Eagle" Belfour won it during 1994-1995, another lockout shortened season.

Although Crawford and Emery deserve much praise for their outstanding work this season, let's not forget the vast improvement in our defensive core with the additions of <strong class='bbc'>Michal Rozsival[/b] and <strong class='bbc'>Sheldon Brookbank[/b] over the off season, which helped the Blackhawks keep their shot totals lower from 2011-2012 (28.6) to the 2013 (26.2) season. Along with the new additions, the original five (Keith, Seabrook, Hjalmarsson, Leddy, and Oduya) stepped up their play in order to become one of the best defensive cores in the entire NHL. None of them will qualify for the Norris Trophy, but together as a unit it's very difficult to find that amount of depth and quality on one team.

Here's a look at the stat-lines from last season to this season:

<span style='font-size: 14px'><strong class='bbc'>2011-2012 SEASON[/b]</span><ul class='bbc'>[*]Corey Crawford: 30-17-7, 0.903 save percentage, 2.72 goals against average and zero shutouts[*]Ray Emery: 15-9-4, 0.900 save percentage, 2.81 goals against average and zero shutouts[/list]<span style='font-size: 14px'><strong class='bbc'>2013 SEASON[/b]</span><ul class='bbc'>[*]Corey Crawford: 19-5-5, 0.926 save percentage, 1.94 GAA and three shutouts[*]Ray Emery: 17-1-0, 0.922 save percentage, 1.94 GAA and three shutouts[/list]The award was clinched as soon as <strong class='bbc'>Robin Lehner[/b], back-up for the Ottawa Senators, allowed a goal against the Boston Bruins in the final game of the season Sunday night.

Congratulations to <strong class='bbc'>Corey Crawford[/b], <strong class='bbc'>Ray Emery[/b], and the entire Blackhawks organization for their accomplishment.



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[mikita's helmet]

Good on them!</p>

 

[winos5]

Well deserved.   Key part of the dominating regular season play.</p>

 

[LordKOTL]

My congrats to both of our netminders for one hell of a bounceback season; here's hoping the keep the mojo in the playoffs.</p>


 </p>


And as for all of the Crawford haters?</p>


 </p>


WHERE'S YOU GOD NOW?!?!?!!? </p>

 

[Mach29]

Way to go, guys.</p>


 </p>


Keep stacking up the hardware.</p>

 

[MassHavoc]

Can they share the Vezina too?</p>

 

[PatrickShart]

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="LordKOTL" data-cid="193080" data-time="1367254855">
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My congrats to both of our netminders for one hell of a bounceback season; here's hoping the keep the mojo in the playoffs.</p>


 </p>


And as for all of the Crawford haters?</p>


 </p>


WHERE'S YOU GOD NOW?!?!?!!? :icon-biggrin:</p>
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 </p>


 </p>


I'm here....and felt Craw and Emery were better this year than last - and deserve credit for thier improvement this year.</p>


 </p>


Where are all the "Defense" haters?  They got all the blame for the piss poor goaltending last year....so they should get all the credit for the better numbers?</p>


 </p>


As long as he doesn't give up the shit soft goals in the playoffs, I'll be fine with him.  I think there's a lot of pressure on Crawford this post season.</p>

 

[LordKOTL]

Much like Crawford with the soft goals, the boneheaded plays by the team D were down sharply from last year and deserved a lot of commendation.  IMHO a lot of credit goes to Hammer, Oduya, and Leddy who really picked up their game along with the 3rd line coming together, and Kane having a more active role in the backend.</p>


 </p>


IMHO both improving did bring the team the Jennings; and really, Crawford did prove that he could "steal us a game" (and so did Emery, let's be fair)</p>


 </p>


Conversely, Crawford (and Emery) didn't eliminate all soft goals--and no goaltender ever will.  Similarly, There were still times I yelled at the TV, "Damnit, <insert one of Keith, Seabrook, Hammer, Leddy, Odyua, Saad, Stalberg, Bickell, Kane, among others> what the HELL were you thinking?!?!!?!"  And really, no skater ever will play so solid of defense that they will never make a mistake.</p>


 </p>


IMHO though I think the stats tell a lot of how both came together:  The 'hawks were 4th lowest in shots against, and lowest in total goals against.  The Devils, Blues, and Kings were 1, 2, & 3 in lowest shots against, and were 13th, 7th, and 8th, in goals agains,respectively.  Last hear the 'hawks were 22nd in goals against and 9th in shots against.


Proves IMHO the kind of strides that can be made when everyone is pulling the rope in the same direction. </p>

 

[the canadian dream]

Do the defensemen and the defensive system up front get a piece of that hardware too? Because they deserve too.</p>

 

[BiscuitintheBasket]

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="The Canadian Dreamalchuk" data-cid="193158" data-time="1367278806">


Do the defensemen and the defensive system up front get a piece of that hardware too? Because they deserve too.</p></blockquote>


Too bad they don't as they were a huge part of the success.

 

[supraman]

For all the lovers and haters of various players (myself included) this year is a marked improvement over last year. I actually only hate 1 player this year and it is a new hate. Stalberg is great, Frolik jesus christ he'd be pretty good but cant score but other than that he's a good player. Corey is better this year, sure he has had some soft goal issues but overall he's improved and was in the top 10 might even be 5 in GAA. The D is playing like a unit again. Emery....never got the hate on him he is the perfect backup. Saad has more than proved he belongs.</p>

 

[PatrickShart]

Who is the hate for?</p>

 

[MassHavoc]

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="pmxclland" data-cid="193329" data-time="1367417578">
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Who is the hate for?</p>
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Can't be Bickell after last night... haha</p>

 

[supraman]

Sharp. He no score goals anymore</p>

 

[the canadian dream]

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Supra" data-cid="193434" data-time="1367447309">
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Sharp. He no score goals anymore</p>
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</blockquote>


 his shoulder might be interfering with his shot. Maybe. He still works hard but his shots have def been off. I haven't been a huge fan of him this year but it wouldn't shock me if he gets his shit together again. Always been streaky that guy.</p>

 

[supraman]

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="The Canadian Dreamalchuk" data-cid="193436" data-time="1367447534">
<div>


 his shoulder might be interfering with his shot. Maybe. He still works hard but his shots have def been off. I haven't been a huge fan of him this year but it wouldn't shock me if he gets his shit together again. Always been streaky that guy.</p>
</div>
</blockquote>


 </p>


So when is his scoring streak going to start, been all season. He is the weakest link in the chain to borrow a phrase from a someone</p>

 

[LordKOTL]

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Supra" data-cid="193590" data-time="1367514754">
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So when is his scoring streak going to start, been all season. He is the weakest link in the chain to borrow a phrase from a someone</p>
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</blockquote>


As little as he's played all year, he has seemed like he's been fighting the puck all year, but hasn't been an outright liability at least. </p>

 

[xatruio]

yeah at least he working and getting around the nets and pucks. Shows his time will eventually come to score even with a sore shoulder. Last year playoffs he was bad while healthy haha

 

[Rex]

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Supra" data-cid="193305" data-time="1367394057">
<div>


For all the lovers and haters of various players (myself included) this year is a marked improvement over last year. I actually only hate 1 player this year and it is a new hate. Stalberg is great, Frolik jesus christ he'd be pretty good but cant score but other than that he's a good player. Corey is better this year, sure he has had some soft goal issues but overall he's improved and was in the top 10 might even be 5 in GAA. The D is playing like a unit again. Emery....never got the hate on him he is the perfect backup. Saad has more than proved he belongs.</p>
</div>
</blockquote>


 </p>


He was #3 in GAA, and #2 was a backup. </p>