Three third-period goals by the Tampa Bay Lightning led the visitors to a 4-2 win over the Chicago Blackhawks at the United Center on Thursday night.
Patrick Kane’s point streak was extended to 11 games in the loss, as Kane tallied the 600th assist of his career in the third period.
The game started in Tampa’s favor, though, as Mikhail Sergachev one-timed a point shot past Crawford for a 1-0 lead late in the first period.
After a scoreless second period and a quiet start to the third, Brent Seabrook tied the game at one by banking a goal-line shot off the back of Tampa goaltender Curtis McElhinney.
That triggered an avalanche of third-period goals.
Anthony Cirelli put Tampa back in front just 77 seconds later, redirecting a wrist shot from Victor Hedman under the glove of Crawford.
Three minutes later, a neutral zone turnover by the Blackhawks turned into a two-goal lead for the Lightning, as Ondrej Palat fed Brayden Point with a perfect pass that left Point with a gaping net.
Chicago didn’t not go quietly, though. Dylan Strome scored with 2:43 remaining, temporarily making it a one-goal deficit.
But Tampa soon restored its two-goal lead when Cedric Paquette pounced on a loose puck and fired it into the empty net for the final goal of the night.
Crawford made 31 saves while losing in regulation for the first time in his last six starts, while McElhinney made 32 saves to earn his first career victory in six appearances against the Blackhawks.
Game Charts
Three Stars
- Anthony Cirelli (TB) — 1 goal, 1 assist
- Alex Killorn (TB) — 2 assists
- Corey Crawford (CHI) — 31 saves
What’s next?
The Blackhawks have Friday off before flying south for a Central Division matchup with the Dallas Stars on Saturday night.