The Chicago Blackhawks skated to a 3-2 overtime victory over the New Jersey Devils on Friday night after a late-game rally saved the team from a disappointing loss.
Artem Anisimov scored the game-winning goal in overtime off the rebound from an Artemi Panarin shot that bounced off Devils goalie Keith Kinkaid’s pad. Marian Hossa tied the game late in the third period after the Hawks went 6-on-4 by pulling the goalie during a power play.
The game-tying goal was set up by a Vernon Fiddler penalty on Patrick Kane. Chicago had just killed off a slashing penalty against Kane when Fiddler caught him in the face with his stick, drawing blood and sending the Hawks to a four-minute man advantage with under six minutes remaining in the game.
With 35 seconds left in the power play, Crawford went to the bench giving Chicago the extra attacker. Hossa then scored his 501st goal of his career, tying the game at 2-2 and forcing overtime.
Anisimov brought it home in OT with the perfectly placed rebound goal. Arty continues to lead the Hawks in points with 10, including five goals.
Anisimov OT winner pic.twitter.com/V3DHtV7tHW
— Stephanie (@myregularface) October 29, 2016
The Hawks almost got off to a good start with what looked to be a top shelf tally from Panarin. Despite celebrations from the Chicago bench, it was ruled a no-goal as the puck hit the crossbar and bounced down, keeping the game scoreless through the midway mark of the first.
Panarin shoots, he scoo…oh, wait nevermind. pic.twitter.com/KnzZN59eG6
— Stephanie (@myregularface) October 29, 2016
A holding penalty from Marcus Kruger put the Hawks penalty kill to work under seven minutes into the first. Chicago headed into the game with 14 power play goals against in 26 penalties, for a penalty kill percentage of 46.2 percent. Still, obviously, the worst in the league.
Unsurprisingly, New Jersey capitalized with a goal from P.A. Parenteau, adding once again to the number of power play goals against for the Hawks. It’s difficult to fend of a goal on the PK when one of your best penalty killers is in the box.
Parenteau goal pic.twitter.com/rv8yQcatYE
— Stephanie (@myregularface) October 29, 2016
Immediately following Parenteau’s PPG, the Blackhawks PK was back in the spotlight when Michal Kempny was whistled for interference. However, believe it or not, the Hawks managed to kill off the penalty, allowing them to head into the second trailing by just one goal.
After killing off a penalty from Jordin Tootoo early in the second, the Blackhawks drew a power play from a hooking call on Damon Severson. Just 13 seconds into the power play, the snipe-show that is Panarin put the puck past Kinkaid. Assists on the goal went to Kane and Brent Seabrook.
Panarin game-tying goal pic.twitter.com/MwzJW7PM9k
— Stephanie (@myregularface) October 29, 2016
Crawford was absolutely sensational throughout the second, keeping the Hawks alive with save after save. New Jersey held the lead in shots on goal after the second frame with 28 compared to Chicago’s 12.
The Devils managed to regain their lead with John Moore burying the puck past Crawford early in the third.
After that, the comeback was on as the Blackhawks dominated possession and pushed New Jersey to the brink before eventually breaking through.
The Blackhawks will host the Los Angeles Kings at the United Center on Sunday at 6 p.m. CT.