Any matchup between the Anaheim Ducks and the Chicago Blackhawks, two teams expected to dominate the Western Conference prior to the season, is must see hockey, but the stakes last night made the game even more intriguing.
The Hawks have gotten off to a bit of a slow start, but that’s nothing compared to what the Ducks have gone through this season, as they entered last night’s game against Chicago without a regulation win this season and just six goals in seven games.
For their part the Ducks came out flying, outshooting the Hawks 37-23 (including 19-6 in the third period), however the game went into the extra frame tied at zero. Unfortunately for the Ducks, all it takes is one shot to end the game in overtime, and that’s exactly what Chicago captain Jonathan Toews did.
MUST SEE: Toews Buries Ducks in OT
What a great individual effort and snipe top corner past Freddie Andersen. It’s the type of goal that we’ve seen again and again in 3-on-3 overtime this season, which is making NHL goalies just look silly. Toews has now pushed his goal total on the season to two – both have been OT winners, and both have come in the past two games. Chicago improves to 6-3-0 to stand third in the Central with a date with division rival Winnipeg next up on the schedule.
The #Blackhawks are the first the team in NHL history to record back-to-back overtime shutouts, per Elias.
— Mark Lazerus (@MarkLazerus) October 27, 2015
As for the Ducks, their horrific start continues, as they fall to 1-5-2 on the season and continue to stay at only six goals, now in eight games, with a tough matchup against the high-scoring Dallas Stars next on the docket. Last night may have been one of their best games of the season, making the loss particularly heart-breaking, as the pressure on the likes of Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry and Ryan Kesler gets higher and the seat under coach Bruce Boudreau gets even hotter.
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