The Chicago Blackhawks continued their push in the Western Conference standings last night, defeating the Montreal Canadiens by a score of 4-1 in the second of back-to-back games for Chicago. It was the third win in a row for the Hawks, who are now just four points out of a Wild Card spot.
Corey Crawford would get the start in his hometown, making 31 saves and improving his career record to 10-2-2 against the Canadiens; including a 6-0-2 record when playing in Montreal.
With strong starts lacking for Chicago this year, fourth-liner Zack Smith would get things rolling early for a change. After a strong forecheck by Drake Caggiula, Montreal goalie Charlie Lindgren lost the puck behind the net, allowing Caggiula to set up a wide-open Smith for the shorthanded goal. Less than three minutes later and after a dominant fourth-line shift by Chicago, Smith would score his second goal of the game, deflecting a shot from Hawk defender Slater Koekkoek.
.@Smit_Treat15 but de hockey numéro deux#Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/FRTjEt7Kr4
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) January 16, 2020
Ex-Blackhawk Philip Danault would cut the Hawks’ lead in half early in the second period, snapping a shot from just inside the face-off circle. The lone goal would be all the Habs would muster in the game, as the Hawks’ special teams shined, going 3-for-3 on the penalty kill (which included a short-handed goal) and 1-for-3 on the power play.
Alex Debrincat would restore Chicago’s two-goal lead midway through the second by rocketing a one-timer from Patrick Kane on the power play. The assist was Kane’s 998th point of his career, as the star-forward closes in on 1,000 points.
The 🐱 doing what he does best. Lighting the lamp!!! 🚨 pic.twitter.com/E6WhK7Bhxr
— Blackhawks Talk (@NBCSBlackhawks) January 16, 2020
Drake Caggiula, who recently returned after suffering a concussion, continued his strong play since being reinserted in the lineup, stealing the puck from Montreal’s Jordan Weal and scoring on a breakaway.
If the return of Caggiula is any indication, the Hawks will only get stronger when players like Dylan Strome and Brandon Saad — who are both listed as day-to-day — overcome their injuries. Unlike Brent Seabrook and Calvin de Haan — who will undergo surgeries and miss the remainder of the season — Andrew Shaw may be eligible to return from concussion protocol this year, but his timeline is unknown.
With their current three-game winning streak, the Hawks have now moved two spots up in the Western Conference standings, surpassing both Nashville and Minnesota. After a two-day rest, the Blackhawks will enter Saturday’s game against the Toronto Maple Leafs just four points out of a Wild Card spot; and only six points out of the third spot in the Central Division.
As the Hawks pursue their fourth straight win and a sweep of their three-game Canadian road trip, Patrick Kane will also have a chance to become the 90th player in NHL history to record 1,000 points on what will be Hockey Night in Canada.
Chicago Blackhawks star Patrick Kane scores 1000th career NHL point
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