{"id":426094,"date":"2026-01-24T19:53:14","date_gmt":"2026-01-24T19:53:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/426094\/"},"modified":"2026-01-24T19:53:14","modified_gmt":"2026-01-24T19:53:14","slug":"recap-blackhawks-secure-three-points-in-back-to-back-shootouts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/426094\/","title":{"rendered":"RECAP: Blackhawks secure three points in back-to-back shootouts"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"Connor Murphy celebrates his goal against the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday night. (Photo courtesy of the Chicago Blackhawks)\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

On Thursday night, the Chicago Blackhawks traveled to Raleigh, North Carolina, to take on the Carolina Hurricanes. The Canes boasted one of the best home records in the East. The night also marked Blackhawks forward Oliver Moore\u2019s 21st birthday.<\/p>\n

First period<\/p>\n

Despite being a very tough place to play, the Hawks got on the board first. Ilya Mikheyev scored the first goal of the game, shorthanded.<\/p>\n

GOAL: Ilya Mikheyev with a signature shorthanded steal and then he scores on the ensuing rush. What a play pic.twitter.com\/QF9v0LQhWj<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 BHF (@BlackhawksFocus) January 23, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

However, less than a minute later, the Canes responded with a goal from Joel Nystrom.<\/p>\n

Second period<\/p>\n

In the second period, Nick Lardis buried a pass from Ryan Donato for the goal.<\/p>\n

GOAL: Oliver Moore wheels in wide and makes a spinning pass to Donato, who slides it to Nick Lardis for a one-time goal. Beautiful goal pic.twitter.com\/LiMwAiqG21<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 BHF (@BlackhawksFocus) January 23, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Later in the period, Jordan Staal of the Canes tied the game at 2-2. Moore then defended Lardis by picking a fight with Alexander Nikishin. Moore was sent to the ice after two punches.<\/p>\n

Third period<\/p>\n

Despite being outplayed by the Canes for two periods, the score was tied. In the third period, the game shifted toward the Blackhawks. Frank Nazar had one of his best performances of the season, generating multiple scoring chances.<\/p>\n

The Hawks took the lead on a Connor Murphy goal. Murphy displayed some silky mitts as he dangled past Frederik Andersen.<\/p>\n

GOAL: Connor Murphy SHOWS OFF THE HANDS in tight to score the go-ahead goal \ud83e\udd2f pic.twitter.com\/gpEmsM9kUl<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 BHF (@BlackhawksFocus) January 23, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Jackson Blake tied the game less than a minute later for Carolina.<\/p>\n

Overtime and shootout<\/p>\n

Both teams went scoreless in overtime, forcing a shootout. In the shootout, it was tied until Moore was sent out to shoot. The birthday boy buried the game winner for a Gordie-Howe-ish hat trick.<\/p>\n

Oliver Moore WINS IT pic.twitter.com\/M8kDKlyAuZ<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 BHF (@BlackhawksFocus) January 23, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

After defeating Carolina, the Hawks returned home for a tilt against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Friday. The only changes to the Hawks\u2019 lineup were that Jason Dickinson returned from illness and Arvid Soderblom got the start in place of Spencer Knight.<\/p>\n

First period<\/p>\n

Despite being outplayed in the first period, the Hawks finished the first period up 1-0. Ryan Greene capitalized on a Tampa Bay miscue.<\/p>\n

GOAL: Ryan Greene breaks free and beats Vasilevskiy to open the scoring pic.twitter.com\/R0J6CSghwF<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 BHF (@BlackhawksFocus) January 24, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Second period<\/p>\n

Tampa continued to dominate the play and finally got a game-tying goal. Nikita Kucherov scored late in the second to even the game.<\/p>\n

Third period and overtime<\/p>\n

As was the case in Carolina, the Hawks came to life in the third period. The Hawks owned the play in this period and yet did not score.<\/p>\n

In overtime after trading chances, the game remained tied.<\/p>\n

Shootout<\/p>\n

In the shootout, Chicago and Tampa traded goals. The Lightning goals were from Kucherov and Gage Goncalves. At the same time, the Hawks got goals from Nazar and Louis Crevier. The game came down to Dominic James vs. Soderblom. James, the former Blackhawks draft pick who spurned the Hawks this past offseason to become a free agent, had a chance at revenge. James fired a wrist shot by Soderblom for the Tampa victory.<\/p>\n

Analysis<\/p>\n

The Hawks\u2019 goalies were the heroes of these two games. Both Knight and Soderblom turned in excellent performances. This might have been Soderblom\u2019s best start of the year.<\/p>\n

Another positive was Nazar. Nazar was playing fast and generating chances in both games. His lower body looks to be healthy again.<\/p>\n

These two games were odd for Connor Bedard. Bedard was noticeable against Carolina and invisible against Tampa Bay.<\/p>\n

The Hawks still need to get off to better starts and not count on excellent goalie play to bail them out.<\/p>\n

The Hawks\u2019 next game is Sunday night against the Florida Panthers. The game starts at 6 p.m. CST.<\/p>\n

\n\tRelated\n<\/p>\n

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