The Blackhawks won 4-3 in overtime against the Bruins in Boston on Thursday. Here are four takeaways:
Hawks cough up 3-goal lead, but pull out big win
The Blackhawks (last place in the Central division) were leading the Bruins (first in the Atlantic ) 3-0 until 1:49 into the third period. Joakim Nordstrom, a 2015 Stanley Cup champ with Chicago, gave Boston their first goal of the game.
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The Hawks held off the Bruins until later in the third when Chris Wagner scored at 15:01 and Torey Krug scored at 17:27.
"It's good we get the win anyways," Alex DeBrincat said. "We can't let that happen. If we have a 3-0 lead we should be able to win in regulation every game. We can learn from it, but we still got the win, so that's a positive."
Jonathan Toews served as the overtime hero, scoring 54 second into OT on a breakaway and helping the Hawks snap a three-game losing streak. Toews is tied with Brad Marchand of the Bruins for most overtime goals since the NHL made OT 3-on-3. Robin Lehner was steady in net, saving 37 of 40 shots.
DeBrincat snaps goalless streak
NHL
DeBrincat ended a 12-game goal drought in Boston on Thursday. The winger fired a rocket from the left circle 17 seconds (wink, wink) into the third period to put the Blackhawks up 3-0.
"Yeah, I think it was a long time in between goals and hopefully I get hot again, keep going," DeBrincat said.
DeBrincat, who only has 20 points (six goals, 14 assists) through 28 games, could use the pick-me-up. He had 41 goals (and 35 assists) last year for the Hawks, who need him to be a top producer.
Strome's back
Center Dylan Strome (concussion protocol) was back in action Thursday in Boston after missing the last four games. Strome scored a power-play goal with 1:09 remaining in the first.
The 22-year-old had one point in the past four games he skated in, a goal against the Tampa Bay Lighting in a 4-2 loss at the United Center.
Strome was between Alex DeBrincat and Patrick Kane, where he's spent most of the season. He also grabbed the primary assist on DeBrincat's goal.
"Yeah, he was really good I thought, both with and without the puck," Blackhawks head coach Jeremy Colliton said. "That line, they created a lot and made a lot of half-chances, but obviously had a couple really good looks and they scored. The power play came through, which was big. I'm happy with him."
Kane moving up
With the secondary assist on Dylan Strome's first period goal, Patrick Kane tied Shane Done for 94th on the NHL career points list with 972.