DeBrincat scores twice as Blackhawks hold off Oilers

[March 06, 2020]    Alex DeBrincat scored twice, and Corey Crawford stopped 21 shots to boost the host Chicago Blackhawks past the Edmonton Oilers 4-3 on Thursday night for their fourth straight victory.

Blackhawks goaltender Corey Crawford (50) defends against Edmonton Oilers right wing Kailer Yamamoto (56) during the first period at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

The Blackhawks moved within four points of the final Western Conference playoff spot while snapping the Oilers' three-game winning streak.

Edmonton is 8-4-2 in its past 14 games but missed an opportunity to tie Vegas atop the Pacific Division standings. The Oilers scored twice in a 49-second span midway through the third period to draw within the final margin but were unable to overtake the Blackhawks.

Patrick Kane opened the scoring for Chicago at 14:34 of the first period, taking a pass from Dylan Strome in the slot before skating to his left and capitalizing on an opening against Oilers goaltender Mike Smith.

Jonathan Toews scored on a wraparound just 47 seconds into the second period. Chicago made it 3-0 at the 4:59 mark of the second on a DeBrincat goal assisted by Adam Boqvist and Duncan Keith.

The Oilers answered one minute later as Ryan Nugent-Hopkins converted a give-and-go pass from Leon Draisaitl to beat Crawford from close range. DeBrincat made it 4-1 with his second tally at 13:02.

After the Blackhawks limited the Oilers to four shots in the second period, Edmonton broke through with a pair of quick goals from Josh Archibald and Kailer Yamamoto in the third. Draisaitl also assisted on the Yamamoto goal at 8:52 of the third for his NHL-leading 110th point.

Chicago secured the season series against Edmonton with the win. The Blackhawks topped the Oilers 3-1 in Chicago on Oct. 14 before Edmonton responded with a 5-3 home victory on Feb. 11.

Boqvist had two assists to extend his point streak to three games. Nugent-Hopkins has 15 points in his past nine games.

The Oilers will play 10 of their final 14 games at home, while the Blackhawks will play nine of their final 15 contests on home ice.

Mike Smith stopped 17 of 21 shots for Edmonton before he was relieved by Mikko Koskinen, who stopped all 10 shots he faced.

--Field Level Media

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