Patrick Kane led the Chicago Blackhawks to a win at home on Sunday night, scoring a definite goal of the year contender. Kane’s tally while being taken down to the ice gave the Blackhawks the go-ahead goal they were looking for, allowing them to earn the 3-2 victory.
??????????! pic.twitter.com/0c4u0XegzW
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) November 14, 2016
The night kicked off with Chicago welcoming former Blackhawk Andrew Shaw back to the UC with a touching video tribute from his five seasons with the team.
Shaw definitely did not take it easy on his former teammates, with Corey Crawford coming up with some huge saves against the Mutt in the paint.
The Crow says, “no,” to The Mutt. pic.twitter.com/orX4C2CdeE
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) November 14, 2016
Not only was Crawford sensational against Shaw, but he stood on his head for the majority of the game. With Artemi Panarin drawing an early penalty just under two minutes into the game, a swift glove save from Crow on a shot Max Pacioretty shot prevented a shorthanded goal.
Warming up the glove early pic.twitter.com/a5b0jzEk52
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) November 14, 2016
The Blackhawks held the lead after the first period, as some Sweden action down in the Canadiens end allowed rookie Gustav Forsling to get his first career NHL goal. Marcus Kruger and Niklas Hjalmarsson were credited with the assists.
Use the Fors, @GForsling pic.twitter.com/YHxla8Dc7v
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) November 14, 2016
Just 24 seconds into the second frame, Duncan Keith was whistled for slashing, putting the Hawks on the penalty kill. Shea Weber capitalized on the Canadiens power play, as he tied the game at 1-1 with his seventh goal of the season as the puck flew over Crawford’s shoulder to find the back of the net.
Despite still having the worst PK in the league, Chicago has been a lot steadier on the penalty kill, boosting their percentage to 67.4%.
Just under two minutes after Weber’s tying goal, Andrei Markov gave the Canadiens their first lead of the night, with two goals in the first three minutes of the third.
Montreal’s lead was cut short when Marian Hossa tied the game at two, after grabbing the rebound in front of the net and tapping it past Al Montoya for his ninth goal of the season.
Pouncing on rebounds pic.twitter.com/l3538Yf5aT
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) November 14, 2016
Hossa was credited with his 508th career NHL goal, passing Jean Beliveau to become the 40th in all time goals scored.
With Patrick Kane’s ridiculous goal coming late in the second, the Hawks held the 3-2 lead heading into the third.
The Canadiens continued to look for the equalizer throughout the final frame, but Crawford continued his exceptional play, with some massive saves to keep Chicago in the lead.
The Habs began to show some frustration late in the third. With Al Montoya having enough of Ryan Hartman, with the Chicago rookie throwing a few extra hacks at the netminder after the whistle. Montoya did not like that, and began to throw some punches at Hartman against the glass. The two would get minor penalties with 2:56 to play in regulation.
Montoya has had enough pic.twitter.com/rzl2A6uftM
— Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) November 14, 2016
See, told you Montoya did not like that.
With Hartman in the box, and David Desharnais serving the penalty for Montoya, the Canadiens took advantage of the 4-on-4 play by sending Montoya to the bench to give the Habs the extra skater. The Habs were unable to capitalize in the remaining minutes of the game, allowing Chicago to skate away with the 3-2 victory and handing Montreal just their second regulation loss so far this season.
The Blackhawks will now begin the Circus Trip, starting in Winnipeg against the Jets on Tuesday at 7 p.m. CT.