Thursday, April 29, 2021

Panthers Survive Blackhawks

     The Florida Panthers edged the Chicago Blackhawks 4-3 in overtime on Thursday night at United Center. It was a rare appearance by the Panthers on a national televised broadcast. Spencer Knight made his third career NHL appearance with Florida. 
     Chicago(22-22-6) moved in front 1-0 with 6:13 remaining in the first period. Dominik Kubalik pushed the puck from the end wall to the low slot. Dylan Strome tipped the puck and Adam Gaudette scored on a backhand shot for his fifth goal this season. 
     Florida(33-14-5) tied it up on the power play at the 7:47 mark of the second period. MacKenzie Weegar fired a slap shot from the top of the zone and Alex Wennberg redirected it in from the slot area. Jonathan Huberdeau got a secondary assist for his 40th assist of the season.  
     The Blackhawks answered back with 9:51 left in the frame. Brandon Hagel sailed a cross-ice pass from the low left circle and Vinnie Hinostroza lifted the puck in from the right of the crease. Hinostroza now has 10 points in 11 contests with the Blackhawks since he was acquired from Florida. 
     The Panthers make it 2-2 with 6:51 to go in the second. Grigori Denisenko fed a pass from the right wing and Brandon Montour took a one-handed shot. It was saved by Kevin Lakinen and Anthony Duclair swept in the rebound from the left side of the crease for his eighth goal of the campaign. 
     In the third period, Florida took the lead 3-2 at 9:09. Wennberg passed the puck from the right wing and Montour snapped a shot from the high slot. 
     The Hawks pulled their goalie for an attacker late in the third and evened it up 3-3 with 18 seconds left. Patrick Kane made a diagonal pass from the right wing and Alex DeBrincat one-timed a slap shot from the low left circle for his 24th goal this year. 
     Florida got the winning goal in overtime with 51.1 seconds remaining. Weegar cleared the zone with a pass to the neutral zone. Sam Bennett carried the puck all the way to the top left circle and scored his ninth goal of the season on a wrist shot. 

No comments:

Post a Comment