The Chicago Blackhawks are proving to be more than just the laughing stock of the league, as they pulled off a thrilling 3-2 comeback victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs at home on Saturday night.
In a game that was all but won and lost in the blink of an eye, the Hawks found a way to come out on top, thanks largely to a pair of third-period goals. Teuvo Teravainen tied the game with a strike from Frank Nazar, before Colton Dach sealed the win with a rebound off Louis Crevier's shot just over five minutes from time.
The Blackhawks are starting to live up to their billing as one of the most exciting young teams in the league, despite being preseason favorites for a cellar-dwelling finish. With 9 wins and 5 losses under their belt, they're currently sitting pretty with 22 points β more than many expected.
Coach Jeff Blashill's men are on a roll, with 30 of their 59 goals coming in the third period this season alone. And when asked about the secret to their success, Teravainen reckoned that "we're pretty comfortable with one-goal games". He added that while every game feels like an arm-wrestling match, the team's ability to find ways to do things right is what's key.
Nazar, who returned from a two-game absence, was on fire in his return, snapping a five-game drought without a point. His play, he claimed, is "easy" and "fun", adding that he works hard and plays with speed and agility.
However, not all good news came out of the win. Captain Nick Foligno was forced to exit the ice after blocking a shot with his hand, and coach Blashill expects him to be sidelined for at least four weeks. The news comes as a blow to the team, who have been missing their star player since his injury.
Despite this setback, the Blackhawks remain in high spirits, having beaten teams they were once written off against. Nazar's words rang true: "We've played some great teams, and we've stuck right in there with a ton of them." It seems like this young team has got more to prove than anyone thought possible.
In a game that was all but won and lost in the blink of an eye, the Hawks found a way to come out on top, thanks largely to a pair of third-period goals. Teuvo Teravainen tied the game with a strike from Frank Nazar, before Colton Dach sealed the win with a rebound off Louis Crevier's shot just over five minutes from time.
The Blackhawks are starting to live up to their billing as one of the most exciting young teams in the league, despite being preseason favorites for a cellar-dwelling finish. With 9 wins and 5 losses under their belt, they're currently sitting pretty with 22 points β more than many expected.
Coach Jeff Blashill's men are on a roll, with 30 of their 59 goals coming in the third period this season alone. And when asked about the secret to their success, Teravainen reckoned that "we're pretty comfortable with one-goal games". He added that while every game feels like an arm-wrestling match, the team's ability to find ways to do things right is what's key.
Nazar, who returned from a two-game absence, was on fire in his return, snapping a five-game drought without a point. His play, he claimed, is "easy" and "fun", adding that he works hard and plays with speed and agility.
However, not all good news came out of the win. Captain Nick Foligno was forced to exit the ice after blocking a shot with his hand, and coach Blashill expects him to be sidelined for at least four weeks. The news comes as a blow to the team, who have been missing their star player since his injury.
Despite this setback, the Blackhawks remain in high spirits, having beaten teams they were once written off against. Nazar's words rang true: "We've played some great teams, and we've stuck right in there with a ton of them." It seems like this young team has got more to prove than anyone thought possible.