Cam Ward did all he could to keep the Blackhawks in the game Thursday night at Xcel Energy Center. But didn’t get the help he needed as Jason Zucker’s second goal of the game with 1 minute, 35 seconds left in overtime handed the Blackhawks a 4-3 loss.
Zucker, who had two goals and an assist, beat Ward five-hole on a breakaway while Duncan Keith was napping.
All four of the Blackhawks’ games this season have gone to overtime, and they’ve dropped the last two. Chicago joins the 1997-98 New York Rangers has the only teams to open the season with four consecutive overtime games.
The Wild tied the game with 23 seconds left in regulation on Ryan Suter’s shorthanded goal after pulling Devan Dubnyk, who made 27 saves. Alex DeBrincat’s second goal of the game broke the Blackhawks’ power play drought at 13 with a tally with 17:31 left in the third and put them up 3-2.
Patrick Kane assisted on DeBrincat’s goal to keep his point streak alive on the young season.
Dominik Kahun scored his first career NHL goal and Jonathan Toews was marvelous again with two primary assists. Ward made 42 saves, including multiple stops in a dreadful second period. The Wild had a 30-12 edge in scoring chances and a 19-7 advantage in high-danger chances during 5-on-5 play.
Chicago returns home to host the St. Louis Blues on Saturday night at the United Center. The Blackhawks hold a 1-0 edge in the season series after a 5-4 overtime win Oct. 6 in St. Louis.
3 Thoughts
Holy Ward
No one saw Ward playing like THAT when he signed in the offseason. The Blackhawks would’ve lost 8-3 if it wasn’t for his play between the pipes. If you thought this loss was on Ward you need to make an appointment with ophthalmologist ASAP. The defense clearly needs to step up otherwise when Corey Crawford comes back Oct. 18 it won’t matter one bit.
Man on a mission
Toews is a bad, bad man. The Chicago captain has played with so much determination this season that’s hard to see who will stop him. That was on display during DeBrincat’s first goal when he just tossed aside Matt Dumba, stopped on a dime and sent a pass to DeBrincat for the score.
Jonathan Toews is a MAN ON A MISSION. A terrific individual effort to set up Alex DeBrincat. 1-0 #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/UALzxXUucm
— Cristiano Simonetta (@CMS_74_) October 12, 2018
Simply incredible
That’s not inference?
Eric Staal put the Wild on the scoreboard after he tackled Jan Rutta. That’s interference. C’mon now.
Eric Staal won’t miss this one! Zucker sets him up perfectly. The #MNWild cut the lead in half. pic.twitter.com/RudjmzSHli
— Cristiano Simonetta (@CMS_74_) October 12, 2018
3 stars
- Jason Zucker (MINN) — 2 goals, 1 assist
- Cam Ward (CHI) — 42 saves
- Alex DeBrincat (CHI) — 2 goals, 1 assist