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Chicago beats San Jose 5–4, DeBrincat reaches 40 goals

  
Chicago beats San Jose 5–4, DeBrincat reaches 40 goals
SAN JOSE, CA - MARCH 28: Marcus Sorensen, No. 20 of the San Jose Sharks, skates on goal against Gustav Forsling, No. 42 of the Chicago Blackhawks, at SAP Center on March 28, 2019 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/NHLI via Getty Images)

The Chicago Blackhawks brought their slim playoff hopes into San Jose, looking to bounce back from their 1–0 whitewashing at the hands of the Arizona Coyotes. Head coach Jeremy Colliton continued to ride his two-time Stanley Cup champion goaltender Corey Crawford, hoping the veteran could keep his team afloat.

Chicago Blackhawks Starting Lineup

Brandon Saad–Jonathan Toews–Dylan Sikura
Alex DeBrincat–Dylan Strome–Dominik Kahun
Brendan Perlini–Artem Anisimov–Patrick Kane
Chris Kunitz–David Kampf–Dominik Kahun
Duncan Keith–Erik Gustafsson
Gustav Forsling–Brent Seabrook
Slater Koekkoek–Connor Murphy

FIRST PERIOD

Chicago opened the period with an early power play, as San Jose forward Marcus Sorensen was penalized for goaltender interference at the 2:33 mark of the period. Sorensen went hard to the net, making contact with Crawford’s head. As usual with this Blackhawks team, not much happened after an opponent took liberties with their goaltender. Crawford appeared none too happy, remembering San Jose forward Evander Kane ran him earlier this season.

Less than a minute later, San Jose defenseman Brent Burns was sent off for high sticking Alex DeBrincat. With the two-man advantage, DeBrincat scored his 39th goal of the season. The goal, reviewed by Sharks’ head coach Peter DeBoer, stood after it was determined Jonathan Toews did not interfere with San Jose goaltender Martin Jones.

Connor Murphy extended the Chicago lead to 2–0, beating Jones with what appeared to deflect off a San Jose defender in front. The goal, Murphy’s fifth this season, was assisted by Brandon Saad and Artem Anisimov.

The Blackhawks extended their lead when Toews scored from the left side of the net, at the 10:59 mark. The goal, tying Toews’ career high in points (76), was assisted by Saad and Erik Gustafsson.

Exactly one minute later, San Jose cut the lead to 3–1 when forward Lukas Radil barely beat Crawford over his left shoulder after deflecting a shot off his glove. Tomas Hertl and Burns assisted on the goal.

Brent Seabrook took back-to-back penalties late in the period, giving the Sharks a clear jump in their step. The good news, the Blackhawks were able to kill off both penalties, ending with Saad missing a late chance, as the period came to an end.

Chicago outshot the home team 14–9 in the period.

SECOND PERIOD

Just over two minutes into the period, Gustav Nyquist cut the Chicago lead to 3–2. Nyquist was the recipient of a pretty doorstep pass from Hertl for this 20th goal of the season.

Chicago wasted no time extending their lead back to two goals when DeBrincat buried his 40th goal of the season, and second of the game. DeBrincat becomes the second Blackhawks’ player to reach 40 goals this season, joining Patrick Kane.

Even with a two goal lead, Chicago looked like the team in scramble mode, especially when Seabrook took his third penalty of the game. While shorthanded, Murphy was called for closing his hand on the puck, giving the Sharks another two-man advantage.

San Jose was able to take advantage of this two-man advantage, scoring off the stick of Hertl as he  deflected a nice pass in front from Sharks center Joe Thornton, making the score 4–3.

At the 16:06 mark, Slater Koekkoek found himself out of position, giving San Jose forward Timo Meier a quick breakaway and beat Crawford for his 29th goal this season. As we have seen many times before, the defense left Crawford out to dry. The goal tied the game at 4–4.

For as bad as the Blackhawks looked after taking a two-goal lead early, they did not quit when the Sharks tied the game. Chris Kunitz put the opponents back on top when he tipped home a Kane shot past Jones. The goal, assisted by Kane and Gustafsson, gave the veteran four goals this season.

Chicago was outshot by San Jose 12–5 for the period, giving the Sharks a 21–19 advantage after two periods.

THIRD PERIOD

The wide open game did not end after two periods. As the game went to the first commercial break after seven minutes of action, Chicago was outshooting San Jose 4–3. Both teams exchanged some really good chances but could not find the back of the net.

Both Crawford and Jones shared top-notch saves throughout up to the last commercial break. With 2:44 left to play in the third period, the wild game was still scoreless for the period.

With just under 1:30 to play, San Jose pulled Jones for the extra attacker. After what appeared to be an icing call against the Sharks was waived off, San Jose put an extended pressure on the Blackhawks but could not tie the game, giving Chicago the 5–4 victory.

 

THE GOOD

Alex DeBrincat scored his 40th goal of the season, making him the youngest Blackhawks player to 40 goals. The second-round pick is looking like a steal and will get paid well soon.

The game was entertaining. If you stayed up past midnight, you were not disappointed.

THE BAD

Brent Seabrook took three penalties in the game. Although the chances of the Blackhawks making the playoffs is something for “meatballs” to think about, your veteran player cannot be a “meatball” himself in the game.

Teams know the Blackhawks are soft and easy to play against. You can run their goalie, win most board battles in deep and can plant in front of their goalie without any repercussions.

 

 

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