Hossa
scores winner as Blackhawks edge Stars
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[November 07, 2016]
CHICAGO -- Dallas Stars right
winger Patrick Eaves thought he had a wide-open net for a
game-winning goal in overtime.
In a split second, Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Scott Darling
recovered and extended his right leg for an incredible, sprawling
kick save that kept the game alive.
"It took every inch of me to get to that one," said Darling, the
6-foot-6 netminder.
Right winger Marian Hossa took it from there. Hossa scored on a slap
shot with 28.7 seconds remaining in overtime to lift Chicago to a
4-3 win over Dallas on Sunday night.
Center Jonathan Toews scored a goal and had two assists for the
Blackhawks. Right winger Patrick Kane and center Artem Anisimov also
scored as Chicago (9-3-1) won its sixth consecutive game.
Darling's save dominated the conversation in both locker rooms after
the game. He moved left to right in the crease to stop the one-timer
by Eaves and elicit a loud ovation from a sellout crowd.
Toews said the save reminded him of a similar stop by Darling
against Nashville during the 2015 playoffs. Darling provided a brief
break for No. 1 goaltender Corey Crawford as the Hawks won a Stanley
Cup title.
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"Same kind of save, just kicking those long legs out," Toews said.
"(Eaves) probably thought he had a goal no matter what and put it
along the ice. Scotty's foot comes out of nowhere. That was a huge
one."
Eaves said he released the shot as quickly as he could.
"That was the look we wanted, and it just didn't go in," Eaves said.
"He made a (heck) of a save, and we've got to live with that."
Not all was lost as Dallas (4-5-3) earned a point on the road by
extending the game to overtime. Rookie center Gemel Smith scored the
first two goals of his NHL career, including a one-timer from the
slot that evened the score at 3 with 1:20 remaining in the third
period.
Smith also scored a shorthanded goal on a breakaway during the
second period.
"I was thinking, 'Stay calm, stay calm. Read the goalie, read the
goalie,' " said Smith, 22. "I kind of lost the puck there (on the
breakaway) and tried to pull it back, and luckily it went in."
Chicago trailed 2-0 after goals by Stars center Tyler Seguin and
Smith. The Blackhawks regrouped for three straight goals, including
two within a 56-second span, to seize a 3-2 lead early in the third
period.
Toews chipped a shot past Lehtonen with 16:21 to play in the third
period to even the score at 2. Hossa faked a shot and passed to
Toews for the point-blank goal.
Moments later, Toews charged toward the left side of the crease and
flicked a wrist shot on net. Lehtonen stopped Toews but could not
control the rebound as Anisimov punched in his eighth goal.
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![](../images/110716pics/sports63.jpg)
Blackhawks center Jonathan Toews (19) shoots the puck against the
Dallas Stars during the first period at United Center. Mandatory
Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
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"(Toews) had the puck a lot tonight," Chicago coach Joel Quenneville
said. "I thought he was dangerous. He was hitting holes, had speed,
protecting pucks. He had the production to show for it, as well.
"He's been getting better every game, and when he starts scoring,
knowing everything else he does, it just adds (to our performance)."
Dallas played without center Jason Spezza (lower body) and was
forced to mix and match scoring lines with 11 forwards and seven
defensemen.
However, Stars coach Lindy Ruff said a depleted roster was no excuse
for back-to-back losses.
"Those are hard losses," Ruff said. "We had a good opportunity with
the power play in overtime, and Eaves had the great opportunity and
I think shot it back into him a little bit. There's your opportunity
to win a game. We fought hard to get back into it."
Blackhawks right winger Tyler Motte left the game in the second
period with an apparent left leg injury and did not return. Motte
crashed feet-first into the boards and hobbled slowly off the ice.
"We'll know more in the next day or so," Quenneville said.
NOTES: The Stars recalled C Justin Dowling from the AHL's Texas
Stars and placed RW Jiri Hudler (illness) on injured reserve.
Dowling, 26, recorded one assist in two games with Dallas in
October. ... Blackhawks G Corey Crawford received a night off after
starting the previous six games in a row. ... Stars C Jason Spezza
did not play after sustaining a lower-body injury Saturday against
Chicago. Spezza is "going to miss a little bit of time," Dallas
coach Lindy Ruff told reporters. ... Blackhawks LW Andrew Desjardins
has been medically cleared to return from a lower-body injury, but
he did not play Sunday as a healthy scratch. ... The Blackhawks
honored the Chicago Cubs during a pregame ceremony. Cubs players
Kyle Schwarber, Jason Heyward and Mike Montgomery carried the World
Series trophy to center ice.
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