The Blackhawks rallied to beat the Vegas Golden Knights 3-2 in a shootout at the United Center on Tuesday.
Here are 10 notes from the win:
1. The Blackhawks are 4-8-3 against the Golden Knights since Vegas entered the league in 2017. However, the Golden Knights are yet to lose in regulation at the United Center, where they are 5-0-2 and have a +10 goal differential.
2. The Blackhawks were 0-for-22 on power play before Tyler Johnson hit the tying touchdown with 54.6 remaining in regulation with the man advantage. Well, two man advantage because of the extra striker. It was dry like a desert. Johnson was also the only one to score in the shootout, which was the match winner.
3. If this is Patrick Kane’s last United Center game with the Blackhawks before the March 3 trade deadline, what’s the way out. Johnson set up the final minute of regulation and nearly scored the overtime winner at the buzzer with 0.1 seconds left in the game. The Blackhawks celebrated as if the game was over. But after a lengthy video review, officials removed it. It would have been an epic ending. Kane also finished with 25:01 of ice time, a new season high.
4. I thought Petr Mrzek was great in this match. 944 and stopped all three shots in the shootout. He deserved this win.
5. The only power play that might be cooler than the Blackhawks are the Golden Knights, who have not scored on a power play in 24 consecutive opportunities. Their only chance in this game also wasn’t good at all.
6. Cole Guttman scored in his second consecutive game, also recording six shot attempts (three on goal). He is not afraid of shooting. Most of the young players will be in their first few NHL games. positive sign.
7. Reese Johnson’s lineup, who is on concussion protocol, has been joined by Brett Signe. Seni focused on the fourth line with Colin Blackwell and Boris Kachuk. Ceni finished with four shots on goal, which was among the team leaders. Oh man, he can really skate. He has such fast legs.
8. Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson joined the NBC Sports Chicago pregame show and said he’s been in “constant communication” with Kane and his agent Pat Bryson, but Kane has not yet informed the organization of the decision. Davidson is patient with Ken: “His schedule is our schedule. There’s no rush or need to push anything to achieve our goals. When a decision is reached, we’ll deal with it afterward.”
9. I think the Golden Knights could be a potential landing spot for Ken. Again, the interests should be mutual, but the fit would be perfect as he would be stepping into the same kind of role he’s in now: wing-top, first power-playing unit, and seen as a transfer option. He could be the match-breaker they lacked.
10. My only concern about the Golden Knights is their aim. Robin Lehner had hip surgery in August and is expected to be out the entire season with a groin injury. His replacement Logan Thompson is currently out week to week with a lower body injury. They may need to add an insurance policy on the deadline just in case.
Click here to subscribe to the Blackhawks Talk Podcast for free.
download
Download MyTeams today!