Jonathan Toews helps Blackhawks beat Flyers

[April 26, 2022]  Jonathan Toews had a goal and an assist, Erik Gustafsson and Alex DeBrincat scored and Kevin Lankinen stopped 33 shots as the Chicago Blackhawks opened their final homestand of the season with a 3-1 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers on Monday night.

Chicago snapped a six-game skid in the series while winning for just the fifth time in the past 18 meetings with the Flyers.

The Blackhawks (27-42-11, 65 points) won for the third time in 15 games overall. The Flyers (25-44-11, 61 points) lost for the seventh time in nine games, falling short of their bid to match a season high with a third straight victory.

Gustafsson opened the scoring 1:44 into the game, beating Philadelphia goaltender Felix Sandstrom with a long wrist shot. Dominik Kubalik, whose screen of Sandstrom was crucial to the goal, also recorded the secondary assist.

Toews tallied his second point of the night 4:31 later. Seconds removed from serving a minor penalty for slashing Kevin Hayes, Toews exited the box and took a pass from Sam Lafferty and converted a breakaway for a 2-0 Chicago lead.

Philadelphia cut the deficit to one less than two minutes later. A precision pass from Travis Konecny freed Scott Laughton and Hayes for a 2-on-1, with Hayes putting the puck past a sliding Lankinen for the goal.

Apr 25, 2022; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Erik Gustafsson (56) and Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Kevin Lankinen (32) celebrate with teammates at the end of the third period against the Philadelphia Flyers at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports

Chicago's Alex DeBrincat scored on a one-timer at 7:45 of the third to account for the final margin. Patrick Kane notched an assist, the 750th of his career, on the play, while DeBrincat matched a career best with his 41st goal of the season and set a new high with his 77th point.

Sandstrom made 30 saves for the Flyers, who were 0-for-4 on the power play. Chicago, which was outshot 34-33, was 0-for-5 on the man-advantage. The Flyers went to the power play with 1:23 to go and quickly hit the post but were unable to convert.

The Blackhawks won for just the second time in their past 10 games at United Center.

--Field Level Media

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