With two points on Wednesday, Patrick Kane set a new career-high in points at 107. Meanwhile, Jonathan Toews set a new career-high with goals with his 35th marker of 2018-19. Unfortunately, their success this season hasn’t amounted to much, given that Chicago will miss the playoffs for the second straight season.
As was the case in 2017-18, starting goaltender Corey Crawford missed a significant chunk of the season. Unlike 2017-18, even when Crawford was able to play, he was a mixed bag. Chicago’s hope was that Cam Ward could fill the void, but he’s had a terrible campaign. The end result is that Chicago has allowed the second most goals this season, ahead of only the last place Ottawa Senators. At the other end of the ice, Chicago ranks ninth in goals scored. In other words, the Blackhawks’ offense has kept them afloat, but wasn’t enough to push them into the playoffs.
The good news is that Kane and Toews are still in their primes at 30, while Alex DeBrincat and Dylan Strome are on the rise at ages 21 and 22, respectively. So Chicago’s strong offensive core is likely to be just as effective next season. If they can address their defensive issues and if Crawford stays healthy going forward, Chicago could bounce back in a big way in 2019-20.
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OTTAWA 4 NY RANGERS 1
Zack Smith scored the game-winning goal while the Senators were shorthanded. It was his ninth goal and 28th point in 68 games.
Brady Tkachuk found the back of the net and registered an assist. That gives him 22 goals and 45 points in 69 contests.
The Rangers’ lone goal was scored by Lias Andersson. He has two goals and six points in 40 games.
Henrik Lundqvist stopped 27 of 31 Senators shots. He’s allowed 13 goals over his last three starts.
At the other end of the ice, Anders Nilsson saved 27 of 28 shots. That snapped his two-game slump, bringing him to 14-19-1 this season.
CHICAGO 4 ST. LOUIS 3 (SO)
Jake Allen stopped 35 of 38 shots in regulation time. He surrendered one goal in three shootout rounds, which was enough to cost St. Louis the win.
Cam Ward saved 37 of 40 shots before the skills competition. He was perfect in three shootout rounds.
Vladimir Tarasenko scored a goal and registered an assist for St. Louis. That gives him 32 goals and 64 points in 74 contests.
Patrick Kane contributed a goal and an assist for the Blackhawks. He’s up to 42 goals and 107 points in 79 games. That sets a new career-high in points for him.
Jonathan Toews netted a goal for Chicago. It was his 35th goal and 79th point in 80 contests. He’s established a new personal-best in goals, topping his 2008-09 mark.
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ANAHEIM 3 CALGARY 1
Max Jones scored the game-winning goal. It was his second marker and third point in 29 career contests.
Ryan Getzlaf returned from his back injury and found the back of the net. He has 14 goals and 48 points in 66 games.
The Flames’ goal was scored by Derek Ryan. That gives him 13 goals and 38 points in 80 contests.
David Rittich turned aside 29 of 32 Ducks shots. That ended his run of four straight starts where he surrendered two or fewer goals.
Ryan Miller saved 25 of 26 shots Wednesday night. He’s 8-7-2 with a 2.76 GAA and .912 save percentage in 20 contests.
