Brent Seabrook led the Chicago Blackhawks with two goals, but it wasn’t enough as Ryan Getzlaf scored a power-play goal 2:16 of overtime to hand Chicago its third straight loss Saturday at United Center.
The loss stings, but what happened late in the second period could do even more damage to the Hawks in the standings. A Hampus Lindholm hip check sent Marian Hossa tumbling into the boards, where his left leg appeared to get jammed. Hossa was helped off by medical staff and did not return.
Will Hossa miss weeks? Quenneville: “Could be stretching it with weeks.” Doesn’t think it’ll be that long. #Blackhawks
— Mark Lazerus (@MarkLazerus) February 14, 2016
For what it’s worth. the trade deadline is in 16 days. And Q doesn’t think Hossa will miss “weeks.”
— Mark Lazerus (@MarkLazerus) February 14, 2016
The game opened in unremarkable fashion with neither team taking the initiative on offense. As the period closed in on 7 minutes remaining, Michal Rozsival drew a hooking penalty and the Hawks struggling penalty kill went to work keeping the Ducks off the board. An offensive push by each team in the final 1:30 breathed some life into an otherwise anemic 20 minutes.
Period two opened in much the same manner as the first with little offensive zone presence from either team. Lindholm was sent off early after a hook, giving the Hawks their first power play of the game. Looking a little disorganized on the man-advantage, they were unable to capitalize. The Ducks heavy physical game made its presence felt as the period approached the halfway mark and the goalies continued to shine turning away a combined 31 shots on goal and keeping the game scoreless. Corey Crawford was sound in net with several amazing saves. The Hawks returned to the power play after another Ducks hooking call. Seabrook would make them pay with his ninth goal of the season to give the Hawks a 1-0 lead after the first.
Frederik Andersen replaced John Gibson in goal for the Ducks as the third period got underway. At 4:12 we had some 4 on 4 hockey as Artemi Panarin and Corey Perry were sent to the box on interference and slashing calls, respectively, and seconds later the Ducks managed to put the puck past a sprawling Crawford to tie the score at one apiece. David Perron won the puck minutes later scored on Crawford giving Anaheim a 2-1 lead.
The Hawks bounced back and after winning a battle along the boards, the puck made its way to Seabrook at the point for his second goal of the night and 10th this season for a new career-high to tie the game at two. The Ducks applied pressure as the period wound down and Crawford was spectacular in net and for the third consecutive time this season these two teams headed to OT.
The Hawks had won both previous meetings against the Ducks this season in overtime: a 1-0 result on Oct. 26 and a 3-2 victory on Nov. 27. The overtime period started strong with a breakaway by Patrick Kane that was not able to find it’s way to the back of the net and then with 3:24 remaining in the extra frame, the Hawks took a too many men on the ice penalty and found themselves shorthanded. Cam Fowler wound up from the point and after a terrific save, the rebound found Getzlaf who found the back of the net and a Ducks win.
The Blackhawks will face the Toronto Maple Leafs and the New York Rangers this week before heading to Minnesota to face the Wild outdoors in a Stadium Series matchup next Sunday.