Slack for Mack? How about a Blackhawks comeback?
When it was 4-0, Blackhawks fans couldn’t have been blamed for calling it a night. After all, it’s March Madness and choosing to watch the Hawks fall into a 4-0 hole is hardly must watch TV.
Until it was.
Chicago fought back, pulling within a goal in the third after Seth Jones potted his fifth goal of the year. It would be Jones again in overtime after Philipp Kurashev tied things with under a minute left in the game. Jones would bury a wrister beating Devin Cooley just seconds into overtime.
Lukas Reichel, Landon Slaggert Strong for Blackhawks
Reichel likely had one of his best nights since being recalled from Rockford. In one stretch, he looked like he was dancing across the ice as he tried to generate a scoring chance for the Blackhawks.
Perhaps it will result in a bit of a reset in terms of statistical expectations, but Reichel’s speed and ability to create plays are still significant. His seven goals last season coupled with the 20 he potted in Rockford might have given a bit of a false sense of what Reichel could produce at the NHL level. Maybe it’ll happen yet. But it was another major step forward after what had been a frustrating season for Reichel.
Meanwhile, Slaggert went into a second gear in the third that resulted in a great scoring chance for the Blackhawks. With each passing game, Slaggert has looked more comfortable, too. It’s far too early to project what his production could be at the NHL level, but his speed, forechecking, and willingness to go to the tough areas spells future success for the Notre Dame product.
Ryan Donato, Philipp Kurashev and Jones All Stand Out
It was Donato who started it all, with a great individual effort to put the Blackhawks on the board. The assist on the tying goal? Donato again.
It can’t be understated how important Donato has been for Chicago this season. But so too has Kurashev, who notched his 15th goal of the season which forced overtime. Jones, though, has been on a tear and continued it with a pair of goals in the comeback victory.
Even on the release in overtime, it was all but assured he was sending the Hawks back to Chicago with a win.
For sure, some fans will be bummed they slid a bit further back in the lottery race. But in the end, they had luck in last year’s. This win, though it seems inconsequential, will be another building block for the young core as they cement a foundation of winning for the future.
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