The Chicago Blackhawks earned a 2-1 shootout victory over the Florida Panthers on Tuesday night in their first game at home since Nov. 13.
A beautiful backhander from Artemi Panarin and a great finish from Richard Panik in the shootout allowed the Hawks to extend their record at home to 9-1-2 on the season for a 15-6-3 record overall.
Panik came up huge for the Hawks in Tuesday’s victory, scoring his first goal since Oct. 22, and putting the puck past Roberto Luongo on the third shootout attempt to solidify Chicago’s win.
Panik’s night started just over two minutes remaining in the first, as he picked up a bouncing puck, to go on a breakaway. With a backhand shot, he slipped the puck past Luongo to put the Hawks on the board first. Dennis Rasmussen and Marcus Kruger were credited with the assists on the play.
One-on-one and done pic.twitter.com/5fJ15fbyIh
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) November 30, 2016
Panik’s tally was his seventh of the season, and if you can’t tell, he was a little excited about scoring his first goal in 18 games.
Feels good to hear the @UnitedCenter goal horn, eh? pic.twitter.com/chVHG9DF0r
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) November 30, 2016
Despite the Hawks holding the lead heading into the second period, the Panthers led 13-8 in shots after the first.
With Jason Demers whistled for interference at the 11:30 mark in the second, the Hawks had the first power play of the night. Chicago was unable to get a shot on net during the man advantage, holding their lead to one.
Niklas Hjalmarsson took a seat late in the second for hooking, allowing the Panthers to enter the third with over a minute of a man-advantage. On the penalty kill, Brent Seabrook blocked the shot and went down, opening the lane for Jaromir Jagr. Jagr, being Jagr, capitalized on the play, tying the game at 1-1.
Brent Seabrook left the ice after blocking the shot on the play, but returned to the bench in the third.
Crawford played stellar in net for the Hawks. Crow kicked off his night with a with a massive lunging save on Aleksander Barkov in the opening frame.
#crOwMG pic.twitter.com/5aStqy27d9
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) November 30, 2016
His exceptional play in the paint continued throughout the game, including making a huge save on Florida’s Derek MacKenzie after getting tripped by Hinostroza and losing his stick. Crow ended the night with 38 saves out of 39 shots, while Luongo stopped 32 of 33.
With 8:03 remaining in regulation, Jakub Kindl was whistled for hooking, to put the Hawks on the power play. Chicago looked to redeem themselves from their first power play efforts, but were unable to, only having one shot on goal during the two minute minor.
On the Hawks power play, Artem Anisimov was in obvious pain after being hit by a Duncan Keith slap shot on the inside of his right skate. Anisimov limped to the bench, and later headed to the locker room and did not return for the remainder of the game. After the game, Quenneville stated that Anisimov seemed okay, but we will know more Wednesday.
Patrick Kane was whistled for high-sticking with just 20 seconds remaining in regulation, allowing the Panthers to have a man-advantage for over 1:30 of overtime. The Blackhawks managed to kill of Kane’s penalty, but a close call in the remaining seconds of overtime with Panarin losing the puck in the Panthers zone, caused a turnover with Aaron Ekblad going in on Crawford. Crow made the save as the buzzer sounded, ensuing the shootout.
The Blackhawks will host the New Jersey Devils at the United Center on Thursday night at 7:30 p.m. CT.