Duncan Keith scored 1:23 into overtime to snap the Blackhawks’ three-game skid with a 2-1 win over the Avalanche on Sunday at the United Center in Chicago.
Keith went coast-to-coast and barreled his way to the net, burying his sixth goal of the season to split the home-and-home series with Colorado. The Avalanche won the first game, 4-2, on Saturday in Denver.
With the win, Chicago is five points back of Colorado for the second wild card in the Western Conference. The Avalanche, who have 81 points, hold onto the final playoff spot by grabbing one point in the overtime loss and the Coyotes’ shutout loss to the Islanders.
Artem Anisimov scored a power-play goal in the third period for Chicago, and Corey Crawford, who was making back-to-back starts, stopped 19 shots.
J.T. Compher, who has scored four goals against his hometown team this team, nearly put the Avalanche ahead with 3:16 left in the first period, but Crawford knocked away his bid with a terrific glove save.
Like they did in the first game of the home-and-home series, the Avalanche capitalized on a 5-on-3 power play opportunity. With Marcus Kruger and Jonathan Toews in the penalty box, Tyson Barrie’s one-timer from the point deflected off Alex Kerfoot’s knee and past Crawford for a 1-0 lead at 15:26 of the second period.
Philipp Grubauer held a shutout through two frames before Anisimov won a faceoff draw that went to Brent Seabrook, who fired a shot from the blue line that Anisimov deflected in with 2 seconds remaining on the man advantage just 1:44 into the third.
Chicago dominated the third period, outshooting the Avalanche 15-3 but couldn’t get the puck past Grubauer after Anisimov’s goal.
Keith delivered the overtime winner for the Blackhawks to improve to 3-0 in their Winter Classic uniforms after the annual New Year’s Day outdoor showcase.
SCH’s Three Stars
- Philipp Grubauer (COL) — 40 saves
- Duncan Keith (CHI) — Game-winning goal
- Artem Anisimov (CHI) — 1 power-play goal
Who’s next?
The Blackhawks start a three-game road trip Tuesday night when they visit the Coyotes. It will be Dylan Strome’s 100th career NHL game in his first game back in Arizona since being traded to Chicago.