RECAP: Kurashev’s overtime winner helps Blackhawks down Wild 2–1

  

The Chicago Blackhawks looked to snap a two-game losing skid when they hosted the surprising Minnesota Wild at the United Center on Sunday night. Off to a 10–2–2 start, the Wild are led by Kirill Kaprizov, who is second in the NHL in points with 27. Petr Mrazek started for the Hawks while Filip Gustavsson got the nod for the visitors.

First period

The Blackhawks took a 1–0 lead on Jason Dickinson’s second of the season. Teuvo Teravainen forced a turnover and Dickinson gathered the puck from the half boards and skated into the slot, made a move on Brock Faber, who went down on one knee, and Dickinson kept skating and snapped a shot past Gustavsson high and to the blocker side at 16:44.

The Hawks took the one-goal lead into the locker room after one.

Second period

A scoreless and relatively uneventful middle period meant the Hawks maintained a 1–0 lead. The Hawks had a 15–14 advantage in shots on goal through 40 minutes.

Third period

Minnesota put up a strong effort in the third and finally broke through at the 15:29 mark. Matt Boldy scored his ninth of the season when a point shot hit traffic in front and Kaprizov took the rebound and fed Boldy in the slot, who snapped it past Mrazek to tie it at 1–1. Sixty minutes was not enough as the Hawks and Wild went to overtime.

Overtime

Taylor Hall forced a defensive zone turnover and Seth Jones collected the puck and sent Philipp Kurashev streaking up on the right wing, who fired a shot past Gustavsson to give the Hawks a 2–1 win at 1:50 of the extra frame. For Kurashev, it was his third of the season.

Analysis

Mrazek was the story, as he made 32 saves, including 18 in the third period when the Wild tilted the ice in their favor. Minnesota outshot the Hawks 19–4 in the third, but the Hawks hung on in overtime to get the win. The Hawks will get a few days off before a brief two-game road trip beginning on Thursday night in Seattle. Puck drop is at 9 p.m. CST on CHSN with the radio call on 720 WGN.

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