Hasn’t taken Jonathan Toews long to get the hang of this three-on-three thing.
For the second straight game, Captain Serious provided the OT heroics by breaking a scoreless tie -- this time, it was in a rematch of last year’s Western Conference Final, as Chicago beat Anaheim 1-0 at the United Center.
It’s almost as if the guy has a flair for the dramatic.
Two nights ago, Toews potted the game-winner in a rematch of the Stanley Cup final, scoring 17 seconds into the 3-on-3 period to beat the Lightning.
Tonight’s took a little longer.
Toews took a pass from Patrick Kane and beat Frederik Andersen 51 seconds into OT for his second goal of the year and the only goal of the evening. It was a tough end for an otherwise solid effort from Andersen, who’s been brilliant all season long yet has zero wins to show for it.
Speaking of goalies, Corey Crawford deserves major praise. He’s now pitched shutouts in back-to-back games, and tonight’s was something special: a 39-save effort, which included 19 in a wild third period in which Anaheim threw everything at the Chicago goal.
As for those Ducks, tonight’s loss brings them to a woeful 1-6-1 on the year and marked the fifth -- yes, fifth -- time they’ve been shutout.
#NHLDucks are the first team since the 1930-31 New York Americans to be shut out in 5 of their first 8 games of the season.
— Sportsnet Stats (@SNstats) October 27, 2015
There’s probably some solace to be taken from 1) a spirited effort, 2) nearly 40 shots on goal and 3) at times dominating the defending Stanley Cup champs, but solace isn’t what the Ducks need right now.
They need goals. And wins.
With tonight’s win, the ‘Hawks move to 6-3-0 on the year, yet questions remain. The club’s offense is still a bit stagnant, with just 10 goals in the last six games, but the defense has played very well after losing Duncan Keith and Crawford has been nothing short of excellent.
The #Blackhawks are the first the team in NHL history to record back-to-back overtime shutouts, per Elias.
— Mark Lazerus (@MarkLazerus) October 27, 2015
Related: Video: Andersen dislodges net, wipes out Chicago goal