Blackhawks 2, Penguins 1 (SO) – Recap

By Kevin Schroeder
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Updated: February 16, 2015

Sunday saw the Blackhawks at the Madhouse on Madison for a matinee matchup with Marc-Andre Fleury and the Pittsburgh Penguins. The game began with the Penguins controlling the action, but after a few minutes, the Hawks were able to capture the momentum, getting a couple good chances in their offensive end. The Penguins would re-gain the momentum as time went on, ending the period with a 15-8 advantage in shots on goal. However, none of those shots got past Corey Crawford and nothing got past Fleury on the other end, 0-0 after twenty minutes.

The Hawks started the second better than the first, opening the period with a few good chances in their offensive end, and then Niklas Hjalmarsson beating Fleury for his second goal of the year 3:22 into the period. In the following minutes, the Hawks would have a few chances to expand the lead, although nothing got by Fleury. At the other end, the Penguins got a few great looks that required even better saves by Crawford to keep the game 1-0 in favor of the Blackhawks.

The Penguins would get the game’s first power play when Patrick Kane hooked Steve Downie just over ten-and-a-half minutes into the period. The Hawks were able to kill off the penalty, keeping Pittsburgh from getting much going. Less than a minute after the Kane penalty ended, the Hawks got a power play of their own when Brandon Sutter was sent off for hooking Kane. The Hawks would have a couple chances, with one shot going off the post, but nothing got past Fleury and the game remained 1-0 Hawks, a score that would hold for the remainder of the period.

Early on in the third, we saw 4-on-4 hockey after Robert Bortuzzo and Patrick Kane drew matching slashing penalties. Both teams had chances during the 4-on-4, but neither scored. The Penguins would tie the game a short while later after Crawford gave up a big rebound on a shot by Beau Bennett and Nick Spaling put it past Crawford and into the net. A short while after that, Brent Seabrook was sent off for cross-checking and the Penguins would go on the power play. The Hawks would successfully kill off the penalty and keep the game tied at 1.

With just over six left to play, Sidney Crosby was called for tripping Jonathan Toews. The Hawks would get a few great chances, but were unable to get anything past Fleury. Both teams would have their chances the rest of the way, with the Hawks getting a few more, but neither getting any goals, so we would head to overtime tied at 1.

While both teams had chances in overtime, the majority of the five minutes was spent in the Blackhawks’ offensive zone. Neither team scored, and we would go to a shootout.

In round one of the shootout, David Perron beat Crawford and Toews beat Fleury on the other end.

In round two, Crawford initially stopped Crosby, but the puck hit Crawford on the way down and went into the net. Kane answered on the other end.

In round three, Crawford stopped Kris Letang and Patrick Sharp beat Fleury to give the Hawks the extra point.

My picks for 3 stars:

★★★ Marc-Andre Fleury, G, PIT (31 SV, 1 GA)

★★ Niklas Hjalmarsson, D, CHI (1 G)

★ Corey Crawford, G, CHI (36 SV, 1 GA)

Twitter: @KSchroeder2325

E-mail: schroeder.giig@gmail.com

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