The Chicago Blackhawks took a trip to Broad Street to take on the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday. The Blackhawks continued their road trip that began with a frustrating loss to the Ottawa Senators on Thursday.
Arvid Soderblom got the start in net for the Hawks, replacing Petr Mrazek. Jarred Tinordi stepped into the lineup, taking the place of Nikita Zaitsev. In an attempt to mix up lines, Luke Richardson promoted Jason Dickinson to the first line, pairing him with Connor Bedard and Philipp Kurashev.
First period
The Blackhawks came into this game setting a different tone compared to their previous game against the Senators. With more offensive spark, the Hawks were able to take advantage of offensive chances against the Flyers.
Just over two minutes into the game, Chicago started the scoring. After a face-off victory, a solid passing sequence allowed Lukas Reichel to take the lead. Assisted by Tinordi and Andreas Athanasiou, Reichel broke a 26-game goal drought with his fourth of the season.
LUKAS REICHEL LET’S GOOOOO pic.twitter.com/xlz5iBaEJw
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) March 30, 2024
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The Hawks were held shotless for over 12 minutes after taking the lead. The shotless drought did not stop the offensive effectiveness of Chicago. Exactly 17 minutes into the first, Kurashev extended the Blackhawks’ lead to two. He was assisted by Alex Vlasic and Bedard.
what a pass, what a goal 🔥 pic.twitter.com/A89fMidAGW
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) March 30, 2024
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The fireworks of the first did not end at the Kurashev goal. With a minute left in the period, Flyers forward Scott Laughton dropped the gloves with Ryan Donato. After landing a few punches each, the two combatants ended the melee in a stalemate.
The first period ended with the Hawks leading 2–0. The Hawks held a 10–7 shots-on-goal lead over the Flyers.
Second period
The second period started with Philly immediately taking the agenda. Just 17 seconds into the period, Tyson Foerster shot the puck from just inside the blue line to cut the lead to one. With this goal, Foerster gained his 20th goal of the season. He was assisted by Garnet Hathaway.
After the Foerster goal, the game started tilting the Flyers’ way. Philly got on the power play two times in the period, including once on a questionable goalie interference call on Bedard. Despite the two Philly power plays, the Hawks were able to hold off the Flyers.
Following a tripping minor by Laughton, Chicago was able to regain a two-goal lead over the Flyers. After a tick-tack-toe passing sequence on the power play, Nick Foligno was able to shoot the puck past Samuel Ersson. Foligno was assisted by Kurashev and Tyler Johnson.
FOLIGNO POWER PLAY GOAL pic.twitter.com/l0aSKt2tcc
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) March 31, 2024
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The period ended with Chicago holding a 3–1 lead over Philadelphia. The Flyers were able to outshoot the Hawks in the period, holding a 13–9 shot advantage in the period.
Third period
The third period continued the Blackhawks’ show of force. The Flyers had no offensive attack to finish the contest, and Chicago took advantage.
After nine minutes of hockey, the Hawks got on the board again. Taking advantage of a turnover, Joey Anderson found the back of the net, extending the lead to 4–1. Reichel assisted on the goal for his second point of the night.
JOEY ANDERSON IT’S 4-1 pic.twitter.com/Knf7vwVyAC
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) March 31, 2024
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Five minutes after the Anderson goal, Chicago scored once again. Keeping Philly on their collective heels, MacKenzie Entwistle found the net for his fifth of the season. He was assisted by Anderson and Wyatt Kaiser. This goal extended the lead to 5–1, which turned out to be the final score of the game.
mack attack 🔥 pic.twitter.com/YLiQucFUbp
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) March 31, 2024
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Analysis
Whatever Richardson put in place in practice after the Senators game, it clearly worked tonight. The Hawks were able to efficiently get the puck past neutral ice and put the Flyers on the defense. Although they were outshot 30–24 by the end of the game, Chicago showed quality over quantity on their scoring attempts, and were able to win a much-needed road game in an arena known to be difficult to perform in.
Chicago will continue its road trip against the New York Islanders on Tuesday. That game will begin 6:30 p.m CDT.