The Chicago Blackhawks sailed to a 5-1 victory against the Buffalo Sabres Sunday night at the KeyBank Center to earn the season sweep against the Sabres. It was another dominant performance for the Hawks like Saturday in Edmonton, although this time they came out victorious.
Patrick Kane put on a show in front of his home crowd, scoring an absolute beauty goal and earning an assist in Chicago’s win. He was one of 12 players on the Blackhawks to record a point, which tells you what kind of night it was for them. This was easily one of their most lopsided wins of the season.
First Period
Ryan Hartman opened the scoring just under seven minutes into the first period, as he snapped the puck high over Robin Lehner’s shoulder to put the Hawks’ up by one. Tanner Kero and Duncan Keith received credit for the assists on the goal.
With just over five minutes remaining in the opening frame, two high-sticking penalties within 12 seconds from Richard Panik and Brian Campbell put Chicago on the dreaded 5-on-3 penalty kill.
Despite the Hawks’ killing off the 5-on-3, with just five seconds remaining in the first, Evander Kane tied the game at 1-1 as a backhand pass from Jack Eichel right in front of the net allowed Kane to tap it past Scott Darling.
Second Period
Around the halfway mark of the second period, Marian Hossa gave the Hawks’ the go-ahead and game winning goal, as he put the puck right through Lehner’s five-hole. With an assist on Hossa’s goal, Marcus Kruger earned his 100th career NHL point. Once Hossa gave Chicago the lead, they seemed to keep rolling.
Jonathan Toews added to the score sheet Sunday night, recording his 12th goal of the season, as he put the Hawks’ ahead by two.
Third Period
The Hawks’ headed into the third with a 3-1 lead, but they weren’t done yet. With Artemi Panarin capitalizing on a Ryan O’Rielly turnover, a great pass from Panarin to Kane who shot the puck in Anismov’s direction, allowed Anisimov to tuck the puck into the net to put the Hawks’ ahead by three.
Just over six minutes into the final frame, Kane put up one of the better highlight reel goals we may see all season, undressing Lehner in front of his hometown. Kane recorded his 20th goal of the year, making this the 10th straight season he has reached 20 goals.
Patrick Kane is unreal pic.twitter.com/ywyJdLQ5Mp
— Marina Molnar (@mkmolnar) February 20, 2017
Scott Darling played incredible in the crease, stopping 25 of the 26 shots he faced, for a .962 save percentage on the night.
SCH 3 Stars
1. Patrick Kane (1 goal, 1 assist)
2. Scott Darling (25 saves)
3. Marian Hossa (1 goal)
What’s Next?
The Blackhawks will travel to Minnesota as they face the Wild Tuesday night at 7 pm CT.