Game 3: Blackhawks vs. Blues (April 13)
Result: Blackhawks win 4-3 in OT (Blackhawks lead series 2-1)
Three Stars:
First Star: Brandon Saad (1 G, 2 A, 4 SOG, +1)
Second Star: Olli Maatta (1 G, +2)
Third Star: Ryan Carpenter (1 G, +1, 3 SOG)
It was the Brandon Saad Show once again for the Blackhawks in a comeback thriller over the Blues. After sleepwalking through the first period, Saad factored in on three Blackhawks goals to come back and tie the game. Olli Maatta provided some offense from the blue line, and Ryan Carpenter played hero with the overtime winner as Chicago’s bottom-six added three shots.
Scoring Summary:
First Period
12:07 Ryan O'Reilly (J. Schwartz) 1-0
NHL
Second Period
7:21 PP Zach Sanford (C. Parayko, R. Thomas) 2-0
16:04 Jordan Kyrou (A. Steen, O. Sundqvist (3-0)
Third Period
0:25 Brandon Saad (A. DeBrincat, D. Keith) 3-1
15:26 Olli Maatta (B. Saad, C. Murphy) 3-2
19:44 Jonathan Toews (B. Saad, A. DeBrincat) 3-3
Overtime
12:06 Ryan Carpenter (D. Keith, M. Highmore) 4-3
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Box score:
Shots on goal
St. Louis: 33
Chicago: 32
While depth was the key contributor in a comeback win in Game 2, Game 3’s biggest factor was the Blackhawks’ top line. Saad, Jonathan Toews and Alex DeBrincat have now combined for 16 points in three games, including six points in Game 3. It was a tale of two games; the Blues dominated the first two periods, but the Blackhawks took over from the get go in the third with Saad’s goal just 25 seconds in.
Goalies
Jordan Binnington 28/32 (.875 SV%)
Corey Crawford: 30/33 (.909 SV%)
Crawford was hung out to dry on all three Blackhawks goals. Defensive breakdowns gave him no help, but following the Blues’ power play tally, he shut the door and looked like the two-time Stanley Cup winner he is. Binnington didn’t get help from his defense on the first two goals, but the game-tying tally came with under a minute left and was one he’d like to have back.
Power play
St. Louis: 1-2
Chicago: 0-0
Through three games, the Blackhawks have just one power play but still find themselves up 2-1 in the series. If that trend changes at some point, they could find themselves in a great spot. The Blackhawks penalty kill continued to struggle, surrendering yet another power play goal.
Notable Blackhawks performances
Toews (goal)
DeBrincat (2 assists)
Duncan Keith (2 assists)
Keith looked like the two-time Norris Trophy winner we’ve seen in years past. He chipped in on two goals, including the overtime winner. DeBrincat and Toews continued their torrid playoff pace, combining for three points while providing the dominant line the Hawks need, with Saad.
Patrick Kane was held off the scoresheet for the second straight game, and has just one point in the series. While the top line is buzzing now, the Hawks need Showtime to start if they want to keep pace with the West’s top seed.
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