The Chicago Blackhawks did themselves a disservice on Tuesday night by winning a hockey game. The Hawks defeated the Calgary Flames 4–3, moving ahead of the Anaheim Ducks in the Western Conference basement. Oddly enough, finishing last in the NHL this year is critical for Chicago, as it secures a top-three pick in the upcoming 2023 NHL Entry Draft and gives them the best odds in the draft lottery to secure coveted future star Connor Bedard.
Chicago received first period goals from Andreas Athanasiou and Jujhar Khaira to take a 2–1 lead into the first intermission. Athanasiou tallied another in the second period to make it 3–2. In the beginning of the third period, Austin Wagner scored his first goal as a Blackhawk on a nice toe pull and wrist shot to make it 4–2. Calgary’s Mikael Backlund cut the lead to 4–3, but Petr Mrazek shut the door, finishing the evening with 33 saves, and the Hawks skated to victory.
Chicago continues its late-season road trip on Thursday night versus the Vancouver Canucks. Puck drop is 9 p.m. CDT.