Artemi Panarin has busted his scoring slump at nine games -- the second longest scoring slump of his first season in Chicago.
He also went 11 games without a goal in October, but that was offset by the fact he had eight assists in that span. This time, he had been held to just two assists before breaking through for the goal against the Winnipeg Jets on Friday.
That’s his 26th goal of the season. Showing that scorer’s touch, he roofed the pass from Patrick Kane over a sprawling Ondrej Pavelec.
Prior to puck drop on Friday, the Blackhawks learned that defenseman Duncan Keith was suspended six games, including the playoff opener, for a vicious high stick to Charlie Coyle earlier this week.