Blackhawks' suddenly clicking offense overwhelms Ducks

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[March 13, 2024]   Philipp Kurashev scored twice and added two assists, Connor Bedard had a goal and four assists and Nick Foligno logged four assists to boost the host Chicago Blackhawks to a 7-2 rout of the Anaheim Ducks on Tuesday.

Mar 12, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Blackhawks forward Connor Bedard (98) attempts a shot on Anaheim Ducks goaltender John Gibson (36) in the first period at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports

Chicago tallied three power-play goals. Held to 10 goals during a seven-game losing streak from Feb. 19-March 4, the Blackhawks have erupted for 20 goals while winning three of their past four.

Bedard continues to surge, making up for lost time after missing 14 games with a fractured jaw he sustained in early January. He has 18 points in 13 games since his return, including 10 in his past four contests.

The Ducks, playing the opener of a four-game road trip, have lost three straight.

Brett Leason got the Ducks on the board first with a short-handed goal at 10:39 of the first period. He gathered a long pass from Cam Fowler and beatg Chicago goaltender Petr Mrazek with a wrist shot from the right circle.

Ryan Donato tied the game for Chicago 48 seconds later on the same power play, scoring after a scramble in front of the net.

Andreas Athanasiou, back in the lineup after missing more than four months with a groin injury, recorded the secondary assist on the goal. The Blackhawks activated Athanasiou from injured reserve before the game. Tuesday marked his first action since Nov. 9, and he ended the night with two assists.

Leason scored his second goal of the night at 1:51 of the second period, capitalizing on a turnover, but Kurashev tied the game just 1:34 later.

Seth Jones scored what stood up as the game-winner with a power-play goal at 11:49 of the second. That started Chicago on a stretch of five unanswered goals to close the night.

Tyler Johnson extended his goal-scoring streak to three games for Chicago.

A chaotic sequence unfolded midway through the third period, as Ducks goaltender John Gibson was ejected for venturing across center ice to try to instigate a fight with Mrazek in the midst of fighting at the other end. Eight players were assessed penalties or misconducts.

Gibson made 20 saves on 26 shots before Lukas Dostal stopped four of the five shots he faced in relief. Mrazek recorded 27 saves in the win.

--Field Level Media

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