The Chicago Blackhawks enjoyed some fantastic performances in their big series-clinching win against the St. Louis Blues on Sunday, but Duncan Keith might have had the best Game 6 of them all.
Not only did he put together a masterful offensive performance with a goal and three assists, he also provided his typically stout defensive support. Keith logged 6:26 shorthanded minutes on Sunday, making a big difference in helping the ‘Hawks kill all six St. Louis power-play opportunities.
Both teams’ head coaches certainly took notice.
From Blackhawks bench boss Joel Quenneville’s perspective, it might have been the best game he’s seen Keith play in the six seasons he’s been with the organization.
Q on Keith: "I’ve been around six years with Duncs, that may have been the best game I’ve ever seen him play." #Blackhawks
— Tracey Myers (@Tramyers_NHL) April 27, 2014
Blues head coach Ken Hitchcock’s praise might be even more glowing, actually, as he threw the name Nicklas Lidstrom out there:
Hitchcock on Keith: "He's got a lot of Lidstrom in him." #Blackhawks
— Tracey Myers (@Tramyers_NHL) April 27, 2014
It’s more than reasonable to argue that this his Keith’s best season since he won the Norris Trophy. Blackhawks fans should be excited, too: the last time he played that well, Chicago won its first Stanley Cup in decades.