The Chicago Blackhawks lost to the Calgary Flames, 3-2, in a seven-round shootout on Monday night at the United Center.
Despite taking home a point on the night, the adventure of the miserable penalty kill continues. The Blackhawks let in their 13th and 14th power play goals, showing just why they have the worst PK in the league. Even when facing the league’s worst power play team, the Blackhawks’ penalty killing abilities still fell short. The Flames entered the game with just one PPG so far this season, but they took advantage of the struggling Hawks to put two power play goals past Corey Crawford.
The Flames’ first power play goal of the night came from Sam Bennett, who put Calgary to get onto the board first.
The Hawks struggled to get shots on net in the first, with only one shot through the first 11 minutes of play. The home team picked up the pace in the second half of the first period, ending the first frame with eight goals on net compared to the Flames’ 14. Crawford was strong in the crease in the first, making some huge saves to keep the Hawks alive.
Just over a minute into the second, the Kane-Panarin-Anisimov line proved to be spectacular once again, with a pass from Artem Anisimov right onto Patrick Kane’s stick, allowing Kane to go top shelf over Brian Elliott to tie the game at 1-1.
Richard Panik was sent to the box just over six minutes into the second, putting the dreaded PK back to work. Sean Monahan capitalized on the power play for Calgary, giving them their second PPG of the night.
Tyler Motte received a double minor for high-sticking in the second, for the Blackhawks’ fourth penalty on the night. The Hawks managed to kill the penalty off, however.
Motte now leads Chicago with five minor penalties so far this season, something he’s clearly not thrilled about:
“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me.”
-Tyler Motte after getting a double minor. #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/VCwvqecpyz
— Cristiano Simonetta (@CMS_74_) October 25, 2016
Brian Campbell scored his first of the season just over four minutes into the third to tie the game at 2-2. Panik added a huge chance at the end of the third to end the game, but Elliott remained fantastic to ensure his Flames would get at least a point.
A holding penalty against former Hawk Michael Frolik gave Chicago the man advantage in overtime, but the Blackhawks could not capitalize, sending the game into a shootout.
In the seventh round of the shootout, former Blackhawk and two-time Stanley Cup champ Kris Versteeg put the puck past Crawford to give Calgary the 3-2 shootout victory. Of course it was Versteeg.
Artem Anisimov had another great performance Monday. The second star of the week leads the Blackhawks in points with nine (four goals and five assists).
Gustav Forsling left the ice in the second period after a big hit along the boards in the second, and did not return to the bench.
Here’s the check that knocked Gustav Forsling out of tonight’s game pic.twitter.com/QiOnLMswG8
— Satchel Price (@SatchelPrice) October 25, 2016
Forsling status going forward is unclear.
The Blackhawks will visit the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on Friday night at 6:30 p.m. CT