By beating the NHL’s top team in the Washington Capitals, the Chicago Blackhawks moved to first place in the Central Division and Western Conference ... but not without some controversy.
Dennis Rasmussen’s 3-1 goal was the eventual game-winner for Chicago, but many believe that the play should have been whistled dead thanks to icing.
Instead, it ended up being the difference-maker as Chicago held off a late Washington push to win 3-2.
Here’s that controversial goal:
That late drama overshadowed a well-played game.
While Alex Ovechkin couldn’t score, Evgeny Kuznestov and Marcus Johansson found the net for Washington. Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane were the Blackhawks’ scorers alongside Rasmussen.
Both Braden Holtby and Corey Crawford enjoyed strong moments in this Sunday, as fans got a taste of why these teams may face off in the 2016 Stanley Cup Final.
Corey Crawford (33-16-3) of the @NHLBlackhawks ranks second in the NHL with 33 wins (Braden Holtby: 39). #WSHvsCHI pic.twitter.com/7yJ636yCcT
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) February 28, 2016
Chicago’s new (and new/old) faces fared well on Sunday, with Andrew Ladd picking up an assist and Tomas Fleischmann impressing overall.
Q liked 3rd line/Fleischmann: "That line with Flash or Fleisch, or whatever you want to call him – I think they call him Flash." #Blackhawks
— Tracey Myers (@Tramyers_NHL) February 28, 2016
If this ends up being the matchup, perhaps Sunday planted some seeds of disdain.