COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Here’s a quick look at the Chicago Blackhawks' 3-2 shootout loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday night at Nationwide Arena.
How it happened: The Blackhawks came out firing pucks at Blue Jackets goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky, to the tune of 15 shots on goal in the first period. Chicago allowed only three, but Columbus’ Jack Skille scored first. Patrick Sharp evened matters in the second, when Chicago almost doubled its shots total by notching 29 through 40 minutes. The teams would trade goals in the third, with Kevin Connauton scoring on the power play for Columbus and Ben Smith tapping in the equalizer after a lengthy review in Toronto overturned the “no goal” call on the ice. The teams would stay knotted at 2-2 to the end of regulation and through overtime. It took nine rounds of the shootout to determine a winner, with Chicago not able to get more than one goal (Andrew Shaw) past Bobrovsky. Corey Crawford allowed two in the shootout (Jeremy Morin and Jack Johnson), which gave Columbus the victory.
What it means: The Blackhawks should have closed this game out and might see it as having left the extra point on the table. They were unable to convert any of their four power-play opportunities. The “snakebit” award goes to Brandon Saad, as he missed on three scoring chances from no farther than 10 feet from the goal.
Player of the game: Shaw was tenacious against the Blue Jackets all night and scored the lone Chicago goal in the shootout.
Stat of the game: Sharp led all players with seven blocked shots.
What’s next: The Blackhawks have a short turnaround, as they host the Toronto Maple Leafs back home at the United Center on Sunday.
