After being shutout last night against Carolina, the Blackhawks score 5 goals less than 24 hours later knocking off the division rival Columbus Blue Jackets 5-2 in their first meeting of the season.
Coach Joel Quenneville definitely spruced things up tonight after probably the worst performance of the year for the Blackhawks yesterday. First off, the NHL announced a couple hours before puck drop that Dan Carcillo has been suspended 2 games for an illegal check placed on Hurricanes forward Joni Pitkanen. Sean O’Donnell was a healthy scratch tonight; John Scott and Sami Lepisto filled in for the two players.
Marcus Kruger put Chicago on the board less than 3 minutes into the game scoring his first goal of the season. Vaclav Prospal quickly got that one back after a nice cross-ice pass that set-up a one-time goal. After two tripping penalties earlier in the period, Dave Bolland trickled a breakaway goal past goaltender Allen York putting the Blackhawks back up by a goal.
It was a sloppy second period, but Derek MacKenzie scored the lone goal for the Blue Jackets tying the game at 2.
The third period was all Blackhawks. Viktor Stalberg scored his 1st and 2nd goals of the season in back-to-back shifts and Michael Frolik slapped home the empty-netter with less than 3 seconds to play in the game.
After a shaky first 40 minutes, the Blackhawks finished strong and most importantly came away with 2 points against a divisional opponent.
NOTES
*Nick Leddy recorded 2 assists, a team-leading 5 blocked shots, and finished second in time on ice for Chicago under Duncan Keith.
*Ray Emery looked a little uncomfortable to start the game, but settled down as the game progressed and made some key stops that kept Chicago in the game. Stopped 27 of 29 shots (.931 save %)
*Blackhawks improve to 4-0-2 at home, earning at least a point in every game at the United Center this year.
*Power Play: 0-for-5 (0%); Season: 4-for-38 (10.5%)
*Penalty Kill: 5-for-5 (100%); Season: 33-for-35 (93.9%)
WHAT’S NEXT?
The Chicago Blackhawks welcome another divisional opponent into town as they take on the Nashville Predators Monday night; puck drop at 7:30pm CT!
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