Wednesday, November 4, 2015

Blackhawks Stop Kings Winning Streak With 4-2 Win

The Los Angeles Kings came into the United Center as the hottest team in the NHL winning their last 7 straight games.  The Chicago Blackhawks came home after losing two tough games on the road in Winnipeg and Minnesota.  Would both streaks continue?  The Hawks would say no, as they came from 2-1 down to defeat the Kings, 4-2.

The Blackhawks made a roster move before the game started by bringing up top prospect, Marko Dano from the Rockford IceHogs, and sent down veteran Bryan Bickell, who has struggled all season.  They also did not have the services of Marian Hossa for the game as he is still listed day-to-day after suffering a lower body injury Friday night in Minnesota.

The Blackhawks were the first to get on the board on a very nice no-look, clearing pass by Artemi Panarin.  Ryan Garbutt picked up the loose puck and had a two-on-one with Jonathan Toews.  Garbutt threaded a saucer-pass between two LA players and Toews buried the one-timer past Kings goalie, Jonathan Quick for a 1-0 lead.  LA tied the game when Alec Martinez threw a knuckler to the net that handcuffed Corey Crawford and found the back of the net.  Then with just over a minute to play in the period, the Hawks continued their bad habit of giving up late goals as Anze Kopitar was left alone in front to pick up a loose rebound and sneak it by Crawford to give LA a 2-1 lead at the end of 1.

In the 2nd, both teams traded goal post shots as the play picked up.  There was no scoring in the period, thanks to some nice saves by both goalies.

The 3rd period started quickly for the Hawks as Patrick Kane wristed a shot that had eyes to tie the game at 2.  The shot went through the legs of Martinez and froze Quick who barely made a play for the puck as it found the back of the net before he knew it.  Half way through the 3rd, Teuvo Teravainen was a recipient of a filthy pass from Kane behind the net that gave him an empty side which he deposited the puck into to give the Hawks a 3-2 lead.  The Kings peppered Crawford with 19 shots in the 3rd period, but none would find the twine.  With less than 2 minutes left in the period on an LA power play, Artem Anisimov took a nice pass from Toews and finished a breakaway to put the Hawks ahead to stay, with a short-handed goal.

Notable mentions: Niklas Hjalmarsson led all skaters with 25:55 TOI, and had 4 blocked shots.  Brent Seabrook extended his scoring streak to six games with an assist Kane's 3rd period goal.  Marcus Kruger wore the "A" as Assistant Captain since both Ducna Keith and Hossa were both out with injuries.

Three Stars of the Game: 1st - CHI - Patrick Kane (1G 1A), 2nd - CHI - Corey Crawford (35 Saves, .943 SV%), 3rd - LAK - Jake Muzzin (2A)

Next Game: Wednesday, November 4th, Home Vs. St. Louis Blues

LET'S GO HAWKS!!!

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