The Chicago Blackhawks came into Tuesday night’s action off a thrilling comeback win against the San Jose Sharks on Saturday night. They managed to come back to force overtime, scoring the winning goal 18 seconds into overtime. No lineup changes were in order, as the Blackhawks looked to keep the winning going with the same cast.
First period
The first period was controlled by the Blackhawks from the outset. They got two power play chances within the first two minutes of the game, making the Flames pay on the second. Seth Jones got the puck back at the point and pounded a slapshot on net, making it 1–0 Blackhawks early. Later on in the period, Landon Slaggert got his first NHL point. He got the puck up the side boards to Joey Anderson. Anderson skated in, faked a shot and got the puck across to Jason Dickinson, who buried his 19th goal of the season. The period would end with the Blackhawks up 2–0.
Secondary assist for Landon Slaggert on the 2-0 Dickinson goal for his first career NHL point!
Dickinson’s 19th goals of the season #Blackhawks #HOTR
— Mario Tirabassi (@Mario_Tirabassi) March 27, 2024
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Second period
The Blackhawks got outshot by roughly the same margin that they outshot the Flames in the first. They still got the better overall scoring chances, in particular one for Slaggert. Jacob Markstrom misplayed a carom off of the boards, and Slaggert just could not reach far enough around the defenseman to tuck it home.
Landon Slaggert is going to thinking about this in his sleep tonight after missing out on his first career NHL goal. #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/GqZ23TXq11
— Charlie Roumeliotis (@CRoumeliotis) March 27, 2024
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The Blackhawks took two penalties in the second, but killed off both power plays, keeping the score 2–0 after two.
Third period
The Blackhawks again were badly outshot in the third as a whole. They got another goal early on though—another from Dickinson—4:15 into the frame. Once again, Slaggert with the secondary assist, and Anderson with the primary made it 3–0 Blackhawks. Slaggert had another huge chance in this period, too. It was called a goal on the ice, but did not cross the goal line after review, going off of the bottom of the crossbar and out. The Flames would get one back on a MacKenzie Weegar wrist shot through traffic from the point. The Blackhawks were standing around defensively and did not cover well, allowing Weegar to be wide open. The Flames ended up pulling their goalie and kept peppering Petr Mrazek with shots. He stopped every other one he faced, and the Blackhawks took home the victory 3–1.
Analysis
After a dominant first, the Blackhawks looked gassed. They gave their everything in that period, but the rest of the game, there were a good amount of defensive lapses that allowed the Flames to rack up shots on goal. Slaggert played his best game so far in a Blackhawks uniform. He was buzzing around the net all night, and came as close as he could to getting his first career goal. If he keeps up this level of play, he could be a welcome addition to this team for years to come. Mrazek took over the game in the second and third, even if his defense did let him down. He has been outstanding considering the caliber of players in front of him night after night.
The Blackhawks’ next game is on Thursday night in Canada against the Ottawa Senators. That game will be at 6 p.m. CDT on NBC Sports Chicago.