The Chicago Blackhawks (9-16-3), coming off their fifth loss in a row, found themselves on the losing side of a great match in Sin City facing the Vegas Golden Knights (16-13-1) Wednesday night. Here’s the recap of all the action.
Recap:
FIRST PERIOD
The first period got off to a horrendous start for the visiting team with Artem Anisimov taking a tripping penalty early resulting in Vegas forward Reilly Smith tapping in his own rebound over Corey Crawford for a power play goal. The goal was only 1:28 into the first period and gave the Golden Knights a 1-0 lead. Each team exchanged chances until 8:14 in the period when Deryk Engelland sniped one past the glove of Crawford to put the Golden Knights up 2-0. After the rough start the Hawks didn’t lay down, though, with forward Patrick Kane taking over the period himself with a few great chances.
Unfortunately, the chances did not result in goals and the Blackhawks end the first period down 2-0 to the Golden Knights. Shots were 15-10 Vegas
SECOND PERIOD
Four minutes into the second period, on a fantastic solo effort, captain Jonathan Toews banked a puck off the end boards off Vegas goaltender Marc Andre-Fleury’s right pad and into the back of the net. That goal was Toews’ 13th of the season and got the Blackhawks on the scoreboard. Still, 2-1 Golden Knights, though.
At the 16:15 mark, off a missed shot by Patrick Kane, recently acquired center Dylan Strome rifled a shot in behind Fleury from a tight angle to get his 6th of the year. Strome, who is off to a pleasant start in Chicago, evened up the scoring 2-2.
A Strome's a-brewin in Vegas #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/I5SWZZlG22
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) December 7, 2018
Shortly after the Strome goal, Vegas forward Thomas Nosek collided with Corey Crawford as the puck was rifled into the net. The call on the ice was ruled no goal due to goaltender interference, which was challenged by Vegas and ruled no goal. Second period ended with the score tied 2-2. Shots were 27-26 in favor of the Blackhawks.
THIRD PERIOD
7:14 into the period, Artem Anisimov stole an ill-advised pass in the Vegas zone for a great chance and roofed a backhand over Fleury for a beautiful 6th goal of the year to give the Hawks the 3-2 lead.
Less than a minute later, the wheels fell off the bus for the Hawks as Vegas forward Jonathan Marchessault scored on a great wrist shot from the top of the circle to tie the game, but it did not end there. Fourteen seconds later, Vegas forward Alex Tuch scored on a questionable play to give the Vegas Golden Knights the 4-3 lead, which could have also been a goaltender interference call.
Unfortunately the Blackhawks could not come back from the 1 goal deficit, and fell 4-3 to the Vegas Golden Knights. Bringing their losing streak to a dangerously high 6 games. Shots were 36-35 Vegas.
Final Thoughts:
- The Blackhawks Centres were fantastic in the faceoff dot against the Knights. Toews (70%), Anisimov (67%) and Strome (56%).
- The power play continues to be the worst in hockey, going 0-4 on the PP tonight.