CHICAGO -- Here’s a quick look at the Vancouver Canucks' 5-4 overtime victory over the Chicago Blackhawks at the United Center on Wednesday:
How it happened: After allowing the Blackhawks to force overtime, the Canucks won the game on a goal by Daniel Sedin. The Blackhawks scored twice with goaltender Corey Crawford off the ice in the final 2 minutes, 11 seconds of the third period to extend it. Brandon Saad pulled Chicago within 4-3 with a power-play goal at 17:49. Crawford was lifted again shortly thereafter, and Marian Hossa tied the game with 54.5 seconds remaining. Vancouver twice led by two goals, building a 3-1 advantage with three consecutive second-period goals, then going up by a pair again in the third period. Hossa and Sedin each had two goals. Patrick Kane accounted for the Blackhawks’ other goal. Linden Vey, Bo Horvat and Zack Kassian also scored for the Canucks. Goaltender Eddie Lack made 37 saves; Blackhawks counterpart Crawford finished with 31.
What it means: The Blackhawks aren’t exactly taking advantage of their eight-game homestand. They lost in a shootout in the Arizona Coyotes to open the stretch Monday before this loss to the Canucks. Picking up a point Wednesday was an achievement, however. The Blackhawks fell to 33-18-4; the Canucks improved to 30-20-3. The Blackhawks’ defensemen had their share of troubles in Wednesday’s loss. A Johnny Oduya turnover led to the Canucks’ first goal, and David Rundblad was behind the second one. Hossa continued his hot streak -- he has scored six goals in the past three games.
Player of the game: Sedin scored two goals, including the winner.
Stat of the game: The Blackhawks had 19 shots on goal in the third period.
What’s next: The Blackhawks continue with the third game of the homestand against the New Jersey Devils on Friday. The Blackhawks defeated the Devils 3-2 in a shootout in New Jersey on Dec. 9.
