The drought is over!
For the first time this season, the Blackhawks have a win, defeating the previously unbeaten Edmonton Oilers 3-1 on Monday night at the United Center.
After an entertaining first period that included a Leon Draisaitl breakaway saved by Corey Crawford, the Blackhawks took over in the second.
Patrick Kane broke the deadlock with his second goal of the season, corralling the puck after a Dylan Strome faceoff win and sniping one past Mike Smith.
The Hawks owned possession for the rest of the second period, although Edmonton goaltender Mike Smith kept the Oilers in the game with multiple clutch saves.
Connor McDavid nearly tied the game up late in the second period, but his goal was waved off due to interference with Crawford. That play started because of a turnover by Alexander Nylander in the neutral zone. More on Nylander in a minute, but that McDavid play didn’t do much to stem the flood of chances and shots pouring in on the Oilers’ net.
That was one of the Blackhawks’ best second periods in some time. They had a 17-6 advantage in shots on goal and 32-8 in shot attempts. The Blackhawks probably wish they had more than a 1-0 lead to show for it.
— Scott Powers (@ByScottPowers) October 15, 2019
The third period opened with a flurry of chances for the Oilers but, as he did all game, Crawford stood tall in the Chicago net. Then, just over six minutes into the third, Nylander made amends for that second-period turnover by stripping McDavid of the puck near center ice, beating Smith to a loose puck and then firing one between the legs of the Edmonton goalie for a two-goal Chicago lead.
What the Blackhawks will like about this goal is it was Nylander being active in the neutral zone that caused a turnover and led to the scoring chance. pic.twitter.com/JzOmfhSNgX
— Scott Powers (@ByScottPowers) October 15, 2019
The Oilers heightened some nerves when James Neal scored a power play goal with two minutes remaining. But with Edmonton’s net empty, Brandon Saad poked a loose puck across the goal line after a mad scramble near the goal, providing the final tally of the game.
Chicago’s defense mostly neutralized one of the top-scoring lines in the entire NHL during the victory, holding Edmonton’s top line of Draisaitl-McDavid-Kassian to a combined eight shots on goal. The trio of David Kampf, Dominik Kubalik and Brandon Saad were largely responsible for that result, with each member of that line checking in at above 70 Corsi For rating against the Oilers.
Game charts
Three stars
- Corey Crawford (CHI) — 27 saves
- Patrick Kane (CHI) — 1 goal, 2 SOG
- Alex Nylander (CHI) — 1 goal
What’s next?
The Blackhawks play Game 4 of their seven-game homestand Friday night against the Blue Jackets.