Emma: Antoine Vermette Vying For Better With Blackhawks
By Chris Emma--
CHICAGO (CBS) -- In most desperate need of a slump-buster, having been a healthy scratch for two games earlier in the series, Chicago's Antoine Vermette broke through in Game 4 against Nashville with the greasiest of greasy goals.
Blackhawks defenseman Michal Rozsival appeared to be looking for a simple centering pass when Vermette reached his stick toward the puck and redirected it past Predators goalie Pekka Rinne.
Vermette's goal helped force overtime. Two extra sessions later, the Blackhawks earned a big win that was pivotal in their first-round series win. From the 32-year-old forward's perspective, it was the beginning of bigger aspirations for this playoff push.
"I want to win," Vermette said Monday. "I want to make the best out of it. I want to be having a good influence on the play every time I have a chance and be a big part of that."
Chicago general manager Stan Bowman made the bold move two days before the trade deadline to send a 2015 first-round pick and defenseman prospect Klas Dahlbeck to Arizona in exchange for Vermette, who was brought in to bolster the Blackhawks' second or third line with versatility to play any position.
When news came to Vermette that he was leaving Arizona, he was emotional yet thrilled to be joining a contender. So when the playoffs started and he was placed on the "fifth line" of healthy scratches by coach Joel Quenneville, the frustration was natural.
"I'm not going to lie, you're not in the situation you want to be," Vermette said. "But you can have a good attitude coming in and can control whatever you can control, make the best of it."
That Game 4 goal for Vermette was a breakthrough. It ended the disappointment of zero goals in 19 regular-season games and allowed Quenneville to regain his trust in the talented skater, putting Vermette in as the third-line center.
With the help of Vermette, the Blackhawks set up a second-round series with the Minnesota Wild and an old teammate most unlikely to be in such a position. Because when this season began, Vermette was one of Arizona's most important players and Devan Dubnyk was Arizona's seldom-used backup goaltender, not Minnesota's red-hot netminder. Dubnyk was traded from the Coyotes to the Wild in mid-January.
"Things change quick in this league," Vermette said. "It's going to be fun."
Blackhawks players had yet to approach Vermette for tips on getting to the 6-foot-6 wall of Dubnyk as of Monday, though he's ready to offer any advice. After all, he's had plenty of reps on Dubnyk in Arizona practices.
Dubnyk has taken Minnesota from last place in the Central Division to the Western Conference semifinals, winning 27 of his 39 regular-season starts and earning five shutouts. He then styimied the top-seeded St. Louis Blues in a six-game series win.
Chicago scored one goal in two games against Dubnyk this season, its only two losses to three wins before his arrival in Minnesota.
"When you know you're going up against a goaltender who's playing like that, who covers a lot of net, you've got to do what you can to get in front of him," Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews said. "It's something we'll focus on. It's nothing new going up against a goaltender who's been playing well."
Added Vermette: "Same guy, but a little different mentality. He's got more poise, more confidence. You could feel that this year in Phoenix."
Of course, Vermettte now has the confidence flowing, too. He will anchor a third line that is winged by Patrick Sharp and Teuvo Teravainen, two skilled players who complement his game. Quenneville sees it as a tough matchup for Minnesota's inferior line depth to counter.
When Vermette next takes the ice, with a foe and former teammate in net, he can hope to get that next goal and keep building toward better with the Blackhawks.
Follow Chris on Twitter @CEmma670.