The second intermission was the only thing that could slow the Blackhawks momentum in the middle frame. It was enough to help the Dallas Stars tie things in the third, and eventually take the lead to snatch the 3-1 victory Saturday night.
Mason Marchment potted the game winner after a play that saw Seth Jones lose the puck, leading to a two-on-one that ended in Marchment’s winner. But it was all Blackhawks for awhile there, especially in the second period.
There was a point in the second period where anyone watching just knew the Blackhawks were going to cash in on one of their many opportunities. Boris Katchouk finally did.
Katchouk batted in a rebound, beating Jake Oettinger and giving Chicago a 1-0 lead against the same Dallas Stars team that produced an 8-1 beating as a happy new year to the Hawks and its fans. The lead would hold until the Matt Duchene’s shot powered through Mrazek just seconds into the Stars’ man advantage.
It was a back and forth game before Chicago broke through but the second period, especially the middle to late minutes belonged to the Hawks. But the Stars chipped away in the third, and also dominated in the faceoff circle, something that played in on the power play goal. An empty netter put it away for good, and another game with momentum heading into the third slipped away.
Seth Jones Has Both Good and Tough Moments in Blackhawks Return
The Stars were going the other way on what was a Blackhawks power play–and had to change to potentially get a scoring chance. But when a saucer pass was sent into the low slot, it was Seth Jones banging it out of the air backhanded.
Jones logged his usual long minutes, and even drew two penalties on the same infraction, netting the Hawks a four-minute power play. Yes, a good chunk of the Blackhawks cap hit is tied up with Jones’ contract, and sure, it’s understandable why some expect more production because of that cap hit. The turnover he lost and gave way to the eventual game winner will sit in the fans craw a bit. Jones wanted that play back, too, and Richardson spoke to it as well, calling it unlucky.
But late in the third, Jones slid to block an empty shot, while logging 23 minutes in his first game back, it’s hard to argue that it’s all bad.
Just like the game, things slipped away after a great second period, and it was too late for a comeback.
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