In overtime, the Blackhawks turned to their two most veterans players, and they delivered.
Jonathan Toews found a streaking Patrick Kane in the extra period, and Kane one-timed Toews’ pass into the net to give the Blackhawks a 3-2 road win over the Ducks.
While it was the older players finishing the game, Chicago’s newest addition opened the scoring when Adam Boqvist sniped a wrister past Anaheim goalie Ryan Miller for the first goal of Boqvist’s career and an early 1-0 Blackhawks lead.
With just under five minutes remaining in the first period, the Blackhawks had a two-man advantage and, after a few missed chances, Kane found Alex DeBrincat with a cross-crease pass, and DeBrincat banked the puck in off Miller’s back to double Chicago’s lead.
Anaheim reduced that lead back to one when Sam Steel deflected a point shot from Erik Gudbrandson to make it a 2-1 score near the middle of the second period.
Then, in the third, a pair of Toews’ penalties nullified one Chicago power play and then gave Anaheim a full two-minute advantage. The Ducks cashed in, with Nick Ritchie capping a neat Ducks passing play to tie the game with 13:43 remaining in the third period.
Chicago hit the post once and goaltender Robin Lehner made several key saves in his 100th career NHL win to keep the score tied 2-2, sending the game into overtime. Just 24 seconds into that 3-on-3 session, Toews and Kane combined to give the Blackhawks their first road win of the season.
Game Charts
Three Stars
- Patrick Kane (CHI) — GWG, assist
- Jonathan Toews (CHI) — 2 assists
- Robin Lehner (CHI) — 36 saves
What’s next?
The Blackhawks conclude their west coast trip at 9 p.m. Tuesday against the Sharks.