The Western Conference-leading Vancouver Canucks took sole possession of the best record in the NHL with a 4-2 defeat of the host Chicago Blackhawks at the United Center Tuesday night. The matchup featured two teams on opposite sides of the league standings, with the Canucks continuing to soar, while the Blackhawks showing little sign of emerging from the NHL basement.
Chicago’s offense continues to sputter as the Blackhawks await the return of their centerpiece player, Connor Bedard, from injury. On the other hand, Vancouver’s offense continues to fire on all cylinders as the Vancouver Canucks spent much of the night buzzing around Chicago’s net.
Vancouver Canucks Pepper Blackhawks Net To Secure Victory
Vancouver Canucks blasted 38 shots at Chicago goaltender Petr Mrázek to gain the four goals necessary to defeat the Blackhawks. Canucks winger Conor Garland recorded the first two goals of the game, scoring at 10:05 of the first period and 8:18 of the second to put the visitors up 2-0.
Chicago joined the contest at 2-1 with a power-play goal from center Tyler Johnson at 16:43. However, the Blackhawks fanbase barely had enough time to finish singing Chelsea Dagger before Vancouver re-established its two-goal edge. A wrister from Canucks winger Nils Hoglander just 92 seconds before the second intermission sent the visitors to the third period with a 3-1 lead.
Blackhawks, Vancouver Canucks Trade Third Period Goals
Both sides notched a third-period score to keep the game interesting. Vancouver center Dakota Joshua scored on a backhander to put the Canucks up 4-1 before a quick snap from Chicago defenseman Kevin Korchinski kept hopes alive at 13:27.
Alas, the Blackhawks could pull no closer before the final horn sounded on a two-goal victory for the league-leading Canucks. Vancouver Canucks netminder Thatcher Demko made 21 saves to improve to 29-9-1 this season.
Seventh-straight loss for Chicago
Matters just continue to get worse for the Blackhawks, with Tuesday’s setback being the team’s seventh loss in a row. Chicago has won just twice in its last 10 games and continues to sit at the foot of the league standings. It’s a place they will not likely leave soon. The Blackhawks have just 31 points on the season as they continue to await the return of rookie phenom Connor Bedard from injury. They needed a win against the Vancouver Canucks tonight.
The Vancouver Canucks have now matched a recent two-game losing streak with a pair of victories. The NHL’s top team now boasts 76 points with a 35-12-6 record, two points better than the Boston Bruins. Boston lost 2-1 in a shootout to the Tampa Bay Lightning on Tuesday night.