The Chicago Blackhawks fell 5-1 in Connor Bedard’s return to the lineup. Much of the roster is currently battling the flu in a developing situation.
First Period:
The first period started off slowly for the Chicago Blackhawks and Washington Capitals on Friday night. Eight minutes in, the teams had only combined for four shots on goal. However, former Chicago Blackhawk Anthony Beauvillier opened scoring on a beautiful backside tip-in.
Shortly after, Chicago was able to get a 5-on-3 power play for over 75 seconds, giving the Blackhawks a prime opportunity to even the score. Logan Thompson had other plans, though. The Washington Goaltender had six saves on the power play, and defenseman Rasmus Sandin saved a goal himself on a mad scramble.
Washington responded to the growing pressure by breaking through the Blackhawks’ weak point. Newly called up Kevin Korchinski and Matt Greczlyk were split by Connor McMichael, who freed himself for a breakaway. McMichael tapped the puck past the also recently called-up Drew Commesso, going five-hole, to double the advantage.
The bleeding couldn’t be stopped by the short-staffed Hawks. Ethen Frank spun around in front and snapped a shot into the back of the net, a goal Commesso will want back. Washington carried a 3-0 advantage into the intermission break.
Story continues below.
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Second Period:
Chicago looked like a new team to start the third. Dickinson had a short-handed chance but simply couldn’t get a shot away cleanly. Nick Lardis put a net front chance wide and was able to draw another penalty. Unlike in the first, however, Logan Thompson could only play hero for so long. After rejecting Tyler Bertuzzi on the doorstep, it would be Oliver Moore to show up for Chicago. Coming down the far side circle, Moore squeezed a shot past the near side shoulder of Logan Thompson to cut the lead to two.
The joyous United Center quickly lost its spark. Minutes later, Justin Sourdif scored for Washington to re-extend the lead to four. After a scrum to end the period, Chicago and Washington headed to the locker room, once again down by three.
Third Period:
Connor Bedard made his presence known early with a rush that dropped veteran John Carlson on his behind. Logan Thompson continued his dominant performance by making another big stop on the attempt. When Thompson didn’t make a save, the post would be in the way in a night where Chicago just couldn’t get the ice tilted to their side. Andre Burakovsky had a good look in front but tried to find Connor Bedard instead, leading to a turnover.
As a nightcap and perhaps a final farewell to Blackhawks fans, Alexander Ovechkin scored the fifth goal of the night for the Capitals. The final score of the contest was 5-1 in favor of the Washington Capitals.
The Cowboy Round-Up and What’s On Tap
To quote Marshall Mathers III, “Snap back to reality”. After a long win streak and a great run after Christmas, a flu going around Chicago humbled the Blackhawks’ fan base, who had been riding high.
In Connor Bedard’s return, the team situation couldn’t be worse. Before the game, Nick Foligno, Ilya Mikheyev, Tyler Bertuzzi, Spencer Knight, and Arvid Soderblom were only a few players to be stricken with an illness making its way around Chicagoland. Kevin Korchinski and Drew Commesso were called up for the game, and neither performed very well.
Chicago looks to get healthy and turn the ship around vs the Nashville Predators tomorrow at Bridgestone Arena at 7 p.m. Central Time.