The third period began and the Chicago Blackhawks were trailing. They would fall behind the St. Louis Blues, and then come back. Fall behind and then come back.
That was until the third period, when Chicago took over for good.
Thanks to three third-period goals -- an equalizer from Niklas Hjalmarsson, the eventual winner from Vinnie Hinostroza and an empty net goal from Artemi Panarin -- the Blackhawks turned a 4-3 deficit after 40 minutes into a 6-4 regulation win, giving Chicago a six-point cushion in the Central Division, and an eight-point lead over the Blues.
It’s another win for Scott Darling, who has been busy in net since Corey Crawford had his appendectomy earlier this month, but he did allow four goals against for a second consecutive start.
Q knows Darling may be getting worn down some by this stretch. Eight games since (and including) Dec. 3. #Blackhawks
— Tracey Myers (@Tramyers_NHL) December 18, 2016
“When you play this much, just like any goalie, there’s going to be some games where you have some bad bounces or bad luck,” Darling told the Chicago Sun-Times.
“You’re not going to have shutouts every game. You just have to roll with it and be happy and grateful that we won. Put it in the rear-view mirror and get ready for the next one.”
The win came at a price. Chicago forward Artem Anisimov left the game after the first period with an injury.
Per Tracey Myers of CSN Chicago, Anisimov is day-to-day with an upper-body injury.
As one would expect, there was some rough stuff in this game, too, as a large scrum broke out in front of Darling in the third period.