NEWSLETTER
If we paid attention to my pregame notes, you’ll know that fans and members of the Kings’ organization were going to be keeping an eye on the Ducks-Golden Knights score as their own game progressed. LA dominated the first period, holding a 14-4 shot advantage after 20 minutes (and had a few more that missed the mark). Thankfully, Arvid Söderblom had a terrific first period and the offense found one goal to take a lead to the room.
Unfortunately, the Kings were able to tie the game on a shot that found its way thru the tiniest of spaces between Söderblom’s legs almost five minutes into the second period — at which point the Blackhawks were still trying to put their first shot on net in the period. The Hawks almost grabbed some momentum with a short-handed goal, but it didn’t count. And, of course, the Kings scored twice before the end of the second to take a 3-1 lead to the intermission.
LA scored as many goals as the Blackhawks had shots on net in the second period. Yes, the Blackhawks had seven (7) shots on net in 40 minutes.
And then holy Sheboygan, Batman! The third period started and the Blackhawks… dominated?!? Chicago scored three goals in five minutes to take a stunning 4-3 lead. But… yeah. The Kings pulled their goalie and poor Philipp Kurashev inadvertently flipped the puck out of play for a penalty. And the Kings tied the game immediately on the power play. LA needed one point in the game to take third in the Pacific; the Golden Knights lost to the Ducks.
The Blackhawks lost the overtime faceoff and Adrian Kempe just waltzed in and rifled it into the net to end the game six seconds into OT. Season: over.
Star 1: Lukas Reichel
Reichel didn’t get on the ice much (only 2:40 in the first period) and put only one shot on net, but it was pretty — and it counted. This is the confident, flying version of Reichel we’ve been begging to see since September. It was great to see it tonight. Hopefully he’s motivated to make a strong impression in the playoffs with Rockford; he is headed to RFA this summer after all.
Star 2: Ryan Donato
Donato scored the Blackhawks’ first goal of the season. He had an assist on Chicago’s second goal of the night and then scored the go-ahead fourth goal five minutes later. He was really physical against some bigger players in the third period and his energy was showing every shift. Donato reached the 30-point mark for just the second time in his career with the two-points tonight and had a career-best 18 assists.
Star 3: Landon Slaggert & Joey Anderson
I couldn’t leave either of these guys off the list tonight. They spent a lot of time together tonight even though the Blackhawks dressed 13 forwards and continued to show chemistry that I would like to see into next year (read: re-sign Joey please). On the game-tying goal early in the third period, Slaggert made a strong play against a future Hall of Famer in Anže Kopitar and Anderson handled the business end. Joey’s earned an NHL roster spot this season. Hopefully it’s in Chicago.
