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 But in the six days since, little is going right for the defending
Stanley Cup champions, including dropping a season-high third
consecutive game Friday, as the Anaheim Ducks captured a 3-2
shootout win at the United Center.
Center Kyle Palmieri's goal in the shootout was the deciding factor,
complementing center and teammate Nick Bonino's shootout goal just
moments earlier.
"I thought, for lack of a better word, the intensity picked up as
the game went on," Ducks coach Bruce Boudreau said. "It was sort of
like a chess match early on."
Chicago (20-6-5) could muster only one shootout goal by captain and
center Jonathan Toews. Right wings Patrick Kane and Patrick Sharp
both missed on their chances for the Blackhawks.
"A lot of the wins we've had lately, especially on that road trip
(went 6-1 in a late November stint away from home), were close
games," Toews said. "We've found ways to win whether it was
protecting a close game where we had the lead or coming back from a
goal or two.
"The last few games, those bounces haven't gone our way so we'll
keep improving but not overreact to the result just because it's not
what we want. We'll keep working and we'll get it soon enough."
Anaheim (19-7-5) snapped a two-game losing streak (both games in
overtime) and losses in three of their previous four. After starting
the season with wins in 15 of their first 19 games, the Ducks have
slumped. Even with the win, they've only won four of their last 12
games.
The loss was the first for rookie Blackhawks goaltender Antti
Raanta, who won his first two previous starts.
Anaheim continued its dominance over Chicago, winning the fifth
straight meeting between the two teams dating back to Feb. 26, 2012.
Both teams wasted little time getting on the board.
Anaheim struck first when right winger Corey Perry scored his 17th
goal of the season — and fourth in as many games — at 3:20 of the
first period.
But 45 seconds later, the Blackhawks promptly tied it on right
winger Ben Smith's fourth goal of the season, pushing the puck past
Ducks goalie Jonas Hiller.
Ducks center and captain Ryan Getzlaf put Anaheim ahead 2-1 when his
40-foot power-play slap shot slowly trickled through Raanta's legs
and into the net at 10:05 of the second period.
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That goal especially drew the ire of Blackhawks coach Joel
Quenneville.
"Our penalty kill?" Quenneville said. "I thought that would be
the end of it, that's when we hit rock bottom, when they scored
with one second to go, one power play when it's been a disaster
and I think we can only go from there, straight up."
Not only was it Getzlaf's 15th goal of the season, it also
extended his current points streak to 10 consecutive games
(5-7-12). Getzlaf has also scored points in each of his last 16
appearances (not consecutive games).
The Blackhawks tied the score at 2 at 17:48 of the second period
on their own power-play goal by right winger Kris Versteeg, his
fourth goal of the season.
"It was back and forth, a lot of great chances by both teams,"
Perry said of the overall game. "It was a tight defensive game.
I think there was under 25 shots for both teams. Those are games
that you kind of have to buckle down on defense and be ready to
play."
Raanta stopped 24 of Anaheim's 26 shots and Hiller stopped 23 of
Chicago's 25 shots.
Anaheim appeared to have won the game at 3:19 of overtime, but a
goal by defenseman Mark Fistric was disallowed by officials.
About a minute later, Chicago left winger Brandon Saad was taken
down hard on a play in front of the Ducks' net, which likely
should have resulted in a penalty shot, but no penalty was
called.
NOTES: There was some good news despite the loss. The Blackhawks
continue to lead the NHL in points (45 through 31 games). ...
Attendance was 21,586. ... Chicago C Andrew Sharp missed the
game with a lower-body injury. ... The Blackhawks announced
Friday that they acquired F Brandon Mashinter from the New York
Rangers for F Kyle Beach. Mashinter was assigned to the
Blackhawks' AHL affiliate in Rockford, Ill. ... The Blackhawks
host the Florida Panthers on Sunday before heading back to
Dallas on Tuesday to play the Stars for the third time in less
than two weeks (and for the fourth time this season already).
Chicago leads that series 2-1-0. ... LW Emerson Etem and C David
Steckel reported to the Ducks on Friday after being called up
from Norfolk (Va.) of the AHL on Thursday. ... The Ducks play at
St. Louis against the Blues on Saturday before returning home
for a three-game homestand.
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