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RECAP: Blackhawks come back in third, win finale 5-2

  
Connor Bedard faces off with Macklin Celebrini during the Chicago Blackhawks' 5-2 season finale win over the San Jose Sharks on Wednesday night. (Photo courtesy of the Chicago Blackhawks)

The Chicago Blackhawks came into Wednesday night’s action against the San Jose Sharks looking to close out their season with a win. They had a rough stretch for the last couple of months of the year, but looked to end it on a high note with a victory here. Spencer Knight got the start in net, with the only lineup change being Sam Lafferty coming in for Dominic Toninato.

First period

The game started off a little slow, with the first goal coming eight minutes into the period. In a harmless looking play, Mario Ferraro threw the puck on net. It deflected off of Ethan Del Mastro in front and found its way past Knight, making it 1-0 San Jose. With three and a half minutes to go, the Blackhawks got their best chance of the period. Ilya Mikheyev got a penalty shot after being taken down by Dmitry Orlov. He tried to go five-hole on Yaroslav Askarov, but was stopped by the Sharks goaltender. The first period would end 1-0 Sharks.

Second period

The Sharks looked like they added to the lead early on the power play. Tyler Toffoli scored on a beautiful goal that he slipped past the pad of Knight. The play was called back for an offsides though, so the game stayed 1-0. A little bit later, though, on another power play chance, the Sharks would convert. With the puck going off of Del Mastro once again, Michael Misa potted the goal to make it 2-0 San Jose. Looking to get back into the game, the Blackhawks managed to get one back before the period would end. In another harmless looking play, Sam Rinzel threw the puck at the net from a terrible angle. It somehow snuck through the pads of Askarov, making it 2-1 Sharks.

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On it would go to the third period, with San Jose leading 2-1 after two periods.

Third period 

With just under four minutes gone in the period, the Blackhawks would knot this one up. Connor Bedard came up the ice in a 2-on-3 chance. He found Louis Crevier on the far side, who tipped the goal top corner to tie things up at 2-2.

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Three and a half minutes later, the Blackhawks would strike again. Del Mastro found Ryan Greene with a beautiful pass for his third in three games, making it 3-2 Blackhawks.

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Two minutes later, it was Crevier again, this time from the point. Tyler Bertuzzi passed the puck back, and Crevier hammered home a slap shot, 4-2 Chicago.

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The Blackhawks would get one more four minutes later on a Nick Lardis goal to make it 5-2.

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This one would end the season on a high note, with the Blackhawks hanging on for the victory, 5-2 final.

Analysis

This was a good all-around game from this team. Both Sharks goals came on unfortunate bounces, which there is not much that you can do most times. With both the young guys and the veterans playing well, the Blackhawks managed to put together a win to end the season in comeback fashion. With contributions from all over the lineup, this was the most cohesive game that the Blackhawks have played in quite a while.

From all of us at The Rink, thanks for following along with us this year. We are glad to be along for the ride, and hope to see you back with us next season!

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