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RECAP: Blackwell powers Blackhawks over the Flames 4–3

  
Blackhawks
Colin Blackwell celebrates his goal against the Calgary Flames during the first period of an NHL hockey game on Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024, in Chicago. (Photo courtesy of Erin Hooley / Associated Press)

The Chicago Blackhawks returned home from a hellacious road trip in which the team suffered injuries to seemingly most of their forward core. Connor Bedard and Nick Foligno were the latest additions to the injured reserve list, joining Taylor Raddysh, Tyler Johnson and Anthony Beauvillier.

With all of the injuries before today’s the game, the Hawks acquired Rem Pitlick and claimed Zach Sanford off waivers from Arizona on Saturday. Sanford was able to make the game, while Pitlick was not able to arrive in Chicago before the game.

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First period

In the first period, first-line winger Colin Blackwell got the Blackhawks on the board early. He had a nifty move and wired a shot in for the goal.

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Connor Murphy recorded his 100th career assist on the goal.

The Flames tied the game later in the period with among the easiest goals Nazem Kadri will ever score. Both Petr Mrazek and his defense did not account for the backdoor pass, which led to the Kadri goal.

The first period ended with the scored tied at 1–1.

Second period

In the second period, the Flames jumped out to the early lead, getting a power play goal from Andrew Mangiapane to put the visitors ahead 2–1. The Hawks responded with a goal from newly minted alternate captain Philipp Kurashev. Kurashev got the puck on net with the a turnaround shot off a dish from Jason Dickinson.

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Less than two minutes, later Nikita Zaitsev fired a shot that ricocheted off a Flames defender for the goal, putting the Hawks back on top at 3–2.

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Zaitsev has been on the other end of the exchange this season, so it was good to see him get rewarded for a putting puck on net.

The second period ended with the Hawks up 3–2.

Third period

In the third period, Blackwell scored again on the power play to extend the Hawks’ lead to 4–2. It was his second goal of the game and his third goal in four games.

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Kadri scored again to get the Flames within striking distance, but it was not enough, as the Blackhawks held onto the 4–3 victory.

Analysis

The Blackhawks have been decimated by injuries this season, yet the team continues to play hard. The team played hard with physicality and emotion in the first first home game of the new year. Blackwell played his best game as a member of the Blackhawks today and has been playing well since returning from back surgery. The Blackhawks have to continue to play hard in hopes other teams are not ready for their effort. They are also going to need unexpected production from guys like Blackwell and Dickinson to make games competitive.

On a positive note, Raddysh, Joey Anderson and Seth Jones skated on their own after practice on Saturday, which could indicate they are close to returning. The Hawks need guys to get healthy and stay healthy for the rest of this season.

The Hawks’ next game is against the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. CST.

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