Artemi Panarin came up with his second career multi-goal game at just the right time to lead the Blackhawks to a 3-2 overtime win over the Penguins on Tuesday night. Panarin scored the game’s opening goal then closed it out later on by punctuating a dazzling overtime period with a gorgeous snipe to give the Hawks their fourth straight victory.
It’s been an amazing year for Panarin, who was signed to a two-year deal by the Hawks in the spring after a breakout season in the KHL. He leads all rookies in points with 36 — no other first-year player has more than 28 — and he’s tied for second in goals among rookies with 13.
Two of those goals came during a much-needed effort on the road Tuesday night. While the second line featuring Panarin, Patrick Kane and Artem Anisimov didn’t have a strong showing in terms of possession, the group came through when it counted with Kane assisting on both of Panarin’s goals. Kane now has seven more points (59) than any other player in the NHL.
The second goal from Panarin was a true beauty. The Hawks and Penguins went back and forth in a distillation of everything the NHL likely hoped 3-on-3 overtime would be, each goaltender lighting up for big save after big save in a madcap display. Corey Crawford had at least a few stops that could belong on the year-end highlight reel. Then Panarin finally got some open space with a chance to challenge the goaltender and Marc-Andre Fleury didn’t really have a chance.
Panarin OT winner @kivascubs pic.twitter.com/HFpah4i0u4
— Stephanie (@myregularface) January 6, 2016
The puck launched out of the back of the net so quickly that it took a second for everyone to register that the game was over. Panarin clearly knew immediately as he skated from around the goal to celebrate. Afterwards, Joel Quenneville, even while saying Panarin’s game was just “okay” beyond the goals, noted how important he is: “Over the first half of the year, he’s been great for our team. I love what he brings.” That’s not a quote to take lightly coming from Q.
The overtime only occurred because the Hawks couldn’t fend off a third-period comeback. Chicago led 2-0 entering the third period after goals from Panarin and Jonathan Toews, who now has a five-game point streak, but Sidney Crosby and Kris Letang scored in the third period to tie the game and force OT. The second goal came with less than three minutes remaining in regulation.
Luckily the Hawks totally redeemed themselves during a wild overtime period highlighted by Crawford’s brilliance and Panarin’s finish. Crawford finished the game 34-of-36 in goal to continue a stellar campaign.
Chicago has now won 11 of its past 15 games to improve to 24-13-4 on the season. The Hawks are in sole possession of second place in the Central but remain eight points behind the Stars for the top spot. The Penguins fall to 19-15-5 and are currently one point outside of a playoff spot.