The Chicago Blackhawks didn’t win their final home game of the season — they fell 4-2 to the Carolina Hurricanes on Sunday — but at least Frank Nazar scored his first NHL goal in his first NHL game.
Frank Nazar opened the scoring on his first shot of the game, putting the Blackhawks up 1-0 about halfway through the first. Credit Seth Jones for starting the breakout and getting the puck to Nazar on the rush.
Jordan Staal evened the score 1-1 just over four minutes into the second period. Staal sniped the puck after a long shot by Andrei Svechnikov rebounded out toward Staal in the slot. Jordan Martinook did slow the rebound down some, so it landed perfectly in place for Staal.
The Blackhawks went back ahead just 1:53 into the third period when Andreas Athanasiou scored after a rebound opportunity himself. Ryan Donato found a streaking Lukas Reichel, whose shot bounced out to Athanasiou to make it 3-1.
About five minutes later, while on the power play, the Hurricanes tied the game again after Seth Jarvis’s shot deflected off Ethan Del Mastro’s stick and behind Petr Mrazek, making it 2-2
Rebounds seem to be the name of the game as Seth Jarvis scored his second goal while on the power play after putting Brent Burns rebound into a yawning net, putting the Hurricanes up 3-1 with 3:33 left in the game.
Sebastian Aho added an empty-net goal to make it 4-2 Hurricanes with 2:06 left in the third, and that’s how this one would end.
Notes
- Let’s be completely honest: the Blackhawks had no business being so close in this game, but that’s hockey for you. It was statistically one of the most lopsided affairs of the season: the Blackhawks owned only 28.57 of the shot attempts, 32.56 percent of the shots on goal, and 23.45 percent of the expected goals. Still, it was entertaining enough and that’s all you can ask for at this point in the season.
- So yeah, the Blackhawks being tied after the second period was kind of crazy — especially since they didn’t even have a shot in the final 10:10 of the second period — but it’s even crazier that two of the three non-EN goals were power-play goals against. Super credit to Mrazek, who was on lock while at 5-on-5 to keep it a tight scoring game — he saved a little over three goals above expected.
- This was only the fourth time Connor Bedard was without a shot on goal in a game this season. That just shows how good Carolina is defensively and with shot suppression — they’re also one of the only teams to smother Connor McDavid this season.
- First NHL goals are so good!! How cool is it that Nazar scored on his first shot? Jonathan Toews also did, so let’s hope that similarity means only good things for Nazar in his Blackhawks career. After that, I didn’t even really care about the outcome of the game anymore. Love family reactions the most:
- Postgame, Nazar talked a little about his process of deciding to sign with the Blackhawks, noting his family’s input in the decision, and how crazy the last few days have been:
- With recent signings of Slaggert and Nazar plus the assignment of Del Mastro, the Blackhawks officially had seven players aged 22 or younger in the lineup for this game. Next season should see this regularly because it’s time for the youth movement to really take effect in Chicago.
- Blackhawks hockey is almost over, but a handful of Blackhawks players will reportedly continue playing in the upcoming World Championships, including Conor Bedard (Canada), Seth Jones (USA), Alex Vlasic (USA), and Mrazek (Czechia).
Game Charts
Three Stars
- Seth Jarvis (CAR) — 2 goals
- Andrei Svechnikov (CAR) — 2 assists
- Frank Nazar (CHI) — first NHL goal
What’s Next
The Blackhawks head out on the road for their final two games of the season, starting with a stop in Vegas to face the Golden Knights on Tuesday at 9 p.m.