The elite skill level of Patrick Kane was on full display on Wednesday night in Denver, as the star winger recorded assists on all three Blackhawks goals in a 3-2 win over the struggling Colorado Avalanche. The Blackhawks great special teams played a key role, as 2 of the 3 goals came on the power play, and their league-best penalty kill was able to prevent Colorado from scoring on both of their 2 power plays.
After a scoreless first period, the Avs opened the scoring 7:35 into the second on a goal from Maxim Talbot. Talbot was able to fight off Andrew Shaw in front of the net before putting that one home. The ‘Hawks responded just about 4 minutes later, as Jonathan Toews put one from the doorstep on the power play. Shaw redeemed his poor effort on the Talbot goal by scoring the ‘Hawks second goal of the night with a great slapshot that Avs’ goalie Calvin Pickard really never had a chance on.
Ryan O’Reilly leveled the game early in the third period, and a lot of back and forth, competitive play followed. Kane’s third assist came on a beauty pass, as he fought off three Avalanche defenders, and made a slick little no look pass to a wide open Bryan Bickell, who basically had a tap-in.
It was a great all-around effort from the ‘Hawks, especially coming off of their poor performance Sunday in Vancouver. It’s the ‘Hawks first win in Denver in their last 5 games there, having lost in each of their last 4 visits to the Pepsi Center. They move to 3-1-0 on the Circus Trip, guaranteeing at least a .500 record on the 6-game trip.
The ‘Hawks move to California for the final two games on the Circus Trip, playing Anaheim and Los Angeles on Friday and Saturday, respectively. That game against Anaheim on Friday is a matinee affair, with puck drop scheduled for 3:00 p.m. CT.