10 observations: Blackhawks beat Blue Jackets in OT originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago
The Blackhawks knocked off the Columbus Blue Jackets 4-3 in overtime on Monday at Nationwide Arena.
Here are 10 observations from the win:
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1. Brandon Hagel has been a big bright spot for the Blackhawks this season and he delivered in a huge way on Monday, scoring his first career overtime winner in the win. Wyatt Kalynuk, who logged a season-high 20:56 of ice time, registered the primary assist.
2. Newly-acquired forward Brett Connolly made his team debut and played left wing on the fourth line with Ryan Carpenter and David Kampf. And he made a significant impact, scoring the go-ahead goal in the third period to put the Blackhawks in front 3-2. He finished with two shots on goal, one hit and one blocked shot in 13:05 of ice time.
3. Patrik Laine has been a Blackhawks killer and that continued on Monday. He scored two goals, including one for the highlight-reels, and now has six goals and two assists in six games against Chicago this season. In the 32 games against the other seven Central Division teams? Seven goals and seven assists.
4. Adam Boqvist took a puck to the face on his second shift and did not return, which forced the Blackhawks to essentially play with five defensemen the entire game. Duncan Keith took his spot on the power play and scored his second goal of the season with a big blast from the 54-feet out to even the score at 1-1.
5. Patrick Kane recorded two assists for his 12th multi-point game of the season; only Connor McDavid (14) has more. Kane, who had a season-high 10 shots on goal, also upped his point total against the Blue Jackets this season to 16; he has four goals and 12 assists in those eight games.
6. The Blackhawks didn't allow two goals in the opening minutes of the game, so that was progress. But they still had a leaky first period defensively after giving up 19 shot attempts, 13 shots on goal, seven scoring chances and a goal at the 14:02 mark.
7. The Blackhawks thought they scored 2:24 into the second period to make it 2-1 and they technically did. But the officials blew the whistle quickly and, after a video review, determined the puck didn't cross the line before the whistle sounded, which kept the game at 1-1. An unfortunate break.
8. The Blackhawks did not commit a single penalty in this game. They were also awarded a prime four-minute power-play when Max Domi committed a hooking and cross-checking penalty that led to a 10-minute misconduct, but the Blackhawks couldn't capitalize.
9. Riley Stillman also made his Chicago debut and took Nikita Zadorov's spot in the lineup next to Connor Murphy. And he was very noticeable. He had six shot attempts (two on goal), four hits and two blocked shots in 21:23 of ice time.
10. Going into Monday, the Blue Jackets were 9-0-2 when leading after two periods. The Blackhawks handed them their third loss of the season in that situation and are now 2-14-0 themselves when trailing after two.
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