With their third game in four days, the Hawks had to battle their long time rival Detroit Red Wings to extend their 22 game point streak. It didn’t look promising in the third period but some late minute magic by Patrick Kane propelled the Hawks to a shootout victory.
The Hawks got off to a quick start and controlled the play in the first period. But despite out shooting the Wings 9-3, the game was scoreless after one. The story was the same to start the second period as the Hawks continued to fire away. However a string of great saved by Detroit goalie, Jimmy Howard, kept the game scoreless. After a flurry of chances by the Hawks third and fourth lines, Detroit gained momentum and got a number of quality chances on Corey Crawford. But Crawford was up to the challenge and the game remained scoreless after two.
Tomas Tatar opened the scoring up for the Red Wings with a goal just 2:43 into the third period. Then just minutes later, the Hawks went on the penalty kill after a tripping penalty to Hjalmarsson. But a couple of spectacular saves by Crawford kept the Hawks in the games. The pressure was on to continue the streak as time was ticking down in the third. After failing to clear the puck, Detroit’s Ericsson was penalized for delay of game with 2:25 left in the game. Just 23 seconds into the power play, Kane was set up perfectly by a pass form Stalberg and got the Hawks on the board. The Hawks got another power play but failed to capitalize and the game went to overtime and the Hawks extended their point streak to 22 games.
With one more point on the line, the game was determined by a shoot out. After a scoreless first round, Kane came to the rescue again with one of his sweet shootout moves on Howard. Crawford then denied Zetterberg for the Hawks ninth consecutive win.
Three Stars:
1. Chi; G Corey Crawford: 32 saves, 1 GA, .970 S%
2. Det; G Jimmy Howard: 32 saves, 1 GA, .970 S%
3. Chi; RW Patrick Kane: 1G, 1P, 3 SOG
Whats next: Hawks return to the United Center Tuesday against the Minnesota Wild. Puck drop is set for 7:30
