The Chicago Blackhawks took on the Toronto Maple Leafs last night at the Scotiabank Arena. After a big second period with three goals scored, the Blackhawks were able to stay up through the third and win the game 4-1. Here are five takeaways from Chicago’s second win of the season.
- Taylor Hall came back after only missing one game
After Saturday’s game against the Montréal Canadiens, Hall was labeled week-to-week with an upper-body injury. He came back earlier than expected and was a full participant in Sunday’s practice. Hall said he felt “good enough” to play against Toronto, and his presence was felt last night. He helped create scoring chances and (almost) got an empty-netter late in the third. He plays well on the first line with Connor Bedard and Ryan Donato and hopefully won’t miss any more time this season.
- Arvid Söderblom played amazing
Stopping 36 on 37 shots, with eight coming from Leafs forward Auston Matthews, Söderblom was the main reason the Blackhawks won last night. He basically played out the final minute of the third period three times after both Hall and Matthews each scored goals ruled as offside. Chicago can expect to win a lot more hockey games with Söderblom between the pipes, and he’s only getting started.
- Two goals in the third period were deemed offside
Toronto pulled goaltender Joseph Woll with just under four minutes left in the third period, hoping the extra attacker would make the difference. Hall thought he scored an easy empty-netter, but the Maple Leafs called a successful coaches challenge, and the goal was deemed offside.
The Leafs had under a minute to tie the game, and Matthews redirected a shot past Söderblom, or so he thought. There was an official review of the goal, and Leafs forward William Nylander was ruled offside. Blackhawks forward Taylor Raddysh scored an empty-netter (that counted!) to put the game away.
- MacKenzie Entwistle scored in his first game of the season
It’s no secret that players on the roster are fighting for spots right now, and Entwistle is certainly one of those guys. Andreas Athanasiou’s shot was denied, but he got the puck and sent it back to Entwistle. He buried it after being scratched the first three games of the season, and his dad was in attendance to see it.
- Connor Murphy got into his first fight of the season
Defenseman Nikita Zaitsev went hard into the boards after getting hit by Maple Leafs forward Noah Gregor. Murphy then found him after the faceoff and wrestled him down center ice. Whether it be the rookies getting hit or the new guys, it’s nice to see the Blackhawks fighting to defend their teammates.
Other highlights include veteran forwards Corey Perry scoring his first with the Blackhawks to get the lead and Tyler Johnson scoring his third goal in two games. The Blackhawks play their final game of this road trip Thursday night against the Colorado Avalanche at Ball Arena.
ITR 46: Offseason Chaos – Inside The Rink
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