Alex DeBrincat scored a power-play goal 2:23 into overtime to propel the host Chicago Blackhawks to a 4-3 victory over the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday.
Edmonton's Evander Kane capped a two-goal performance by scoring with 50 seconds remaining in the third period to forge a tie at 3-3. The Oilers' good fortune didn't last long as the Blackhawks ended the game after Patrick Kane set up DeBrincat for his team-leading 30th goal of the season.
DeBrincat has tormented Edmonton this season. He scored twice in a 5-2 loss to the Oilers on Nov. 20 and recorded a goal and two assists in a 4-1 win on Feb. 9.
Patrick Kane collected a goal and an assist and Dominik Kubalik and Sam Lafferty each scored a goal for the Blackhawks, who posted just their second win at home in their last 10 games. Marc-Andre Fleury made 29 saves to snap a three-game skid (0-2-1).
Edmonton defenseman Duncan Keith participated in the ceremonial faceoff prior to the game and received a standing ovation from the crowd at the United Center during a media timeout in the first period. The three-time Stanley Cup champion made his first trip back to Chicago after spending 16 seasons with the Blackhawks.
Leon Draisaitl scored his NHL-leading 38th goal before adding an assist for the Oilers, who finished their five-game road trip with a 2-2-1 record.
Mikko Koskinen finished with 28 saves, however his ill-advised backhanded pass from behind the net went right to Kubalik. The forward alertly fired the puck past the out-of-position goaltender to give Chicago a 3-2 lead at 2:49 of the third period.
The Blackhawks wasted little time opening the scoring as Philipp Kurashev flipped the puck ahead to Lafferty, who made no mistake from in front at 2:34 of the first period.
Edmonton superstar captain Connor McDavid and Draisaitl exchanged passes as the former skated along the edge of the right circle. McDavid then set up Draisaitl's sharp-angle shot from deep in the circle that beat Fleury with 5:25 remaining in the first period.
Patrick Kane gave Chicago a 2-1 advantage just over two minutes later after his one-timer from the right circle beat Koskinen. The goal was his 17th of the season and fifth in four games.
The Blackhawks' lead didn't last long, however, as Draisaitl fed Evander Kane on a rush with 34 seconds left in the first period.
--Field Level Media
Edmonton | Chicago | |
Evander Kane 2 | Points | Patrick Kane 2 |
Evander Kane 2 | Goals | Patrick Kane 1 |
Connor McDavid 2 | Assists | Patrick Kane 1 |
Leon Draisaitl 1 | Power Play Goals | Alex DeBrincat 1 |
N/A | Short Handed Goals | N/A |
Mikko Koskinen .875 | Save Percentage | Marc-Andre Fleury .906 |
Mikko Koskinen 28 | Saves | Marc-Andre Fleury 29 |
Team | Shots | Goals | Power Play | Penalty Kill | Penalty Mins | Face Offs Won |
Edmonton | 32 | 3 | 1-4 | 1-2 | 6 | 33 |
Chicago | 32 | 4 | 1-2 | 3-4 | 10 | 22 |