The Chicago Blackhawks should know better than to play with their food.
NHL scores 2015: Lack of urgency costs Blackhawks in comeback win for Blues
Chicago learned a lesson they should’ve already learned.
Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
For 20 minutes on Wednesday, the reigning Stanley Cup champions had their division rivals right where they wanted them. Two bad defensive plays by the St. Louis Blues led to an easy goal for Blackhawks rookie Marko Dano and a penalty shot score by Andrew Shaw.
St. Louis' luck was so worn out early that the puck acted like someone was pulling it on a string. Just look at how helpless Blues goalie Brian Elliott was to stop the Blackhawks' third goal of the first period.
By the time the first period whistle blew, the Blackhawks had a commanding 5-2 lead and had chased the Blues’ starter from the net. In their home barn, no less, where they were 6-1-0 through their first seven games at the United Center. Done deal. Throw the sticks in the bag, head home and go catch up on The Walking Dead.
But the Blackhawks' lack of urgency doomed them. The Blues scored three unanswered goals to tie the game in the second and spent the rest of the third period locking down the Blackhawks' frantic counterattack. From there, it was only a matter of time until Vladimir Tarasenko used the luxury of open space in the 3-on-3 overtime to finish the comeback.
In a division as ultra-tight as the Central, those are two points that could end up haunting Chicago come April. So remember, kids: don’t mess around with your division rivals. Treat them like a wounded animal that decides to get up and hunt you down instead of crawling off and dying quietly.
Scores
Jets 4, Maple Leafs 2
Blues 6, Blackhawks 5 (OT)
3 things we learned
1. The Leafs are finding new ways to lose
Fresh off a huge win over the Dallas Stars on Monday, you'd expect the Leafs to try and build on that momentum. And for two periods and nineteen minutes, they did. But then they forgot about Alex Burmistrov in the penalty box.
Never forget about the guy in the penalty box.
It was over just like that. Instead of two straight wins over tough Central Division opponents, the Leafs have two wins in twelve games.
2. The Canucks are trying a new technique on the penalty kill
It’s super effective!
Burrows would just like Cole to give him a piggy back ride cc @jamzcarson pic.twitter.com/y8TbXaYg93
— Stephanie (@myregularface) November 5, 2015 3. It might be time for the Blues to hand Jake Allen the keys to the net for good
Coach Ken Hitchcock replaced Elliott in net after briefly removing him after three goals allowed, so that indicates he has some level of confidence in the veteran. But Allen has simply played better and earned his chance to start. Allen sports a 1.93 goals against average and a .935 save percentage in eight games. In contrast, Elliott has a 2.88 GAA and a .888 save percentage in six games. Now that Elliott seems to be injured, Allen has a chance to steal the job for good.
Impact Moment
It was Paul Maurice’s face. I mean, just look at it.
Burmistrov's winning goal was almost as good as his coach's reaction! (via @Pitty_Da_Fool) https://t.co/iyGNm1zvkA https://t.co/vnNN9zLDdP
— SB Nation NHL (@SBNationNHL) November 5, 2015 Rookie of the Night
I could give this to Marko Dano for scoring his first goal, but Blackhawks fans seem to get upset when I don’t give their rookies shout-outs.
So the rookie of the night is Nikolaj Ehlers, who was all over the ice for the Jets in Toronto. It didn't result in an appearance on the scoresheet, but he passed the eyeball test. Of all the excellent rookies this season, Ehlers might be the most fun to watch. His speed is remarkable.
Stat of the Night
That was Tarasenko's 7th goal of the season, six of them have either tied the game of given the Blues lead: https://t.co/8rJLDz8LNc
— Аrpon Basu (@ArponBasu) November 5, 2015 Post to Post
- The Ducks won thanks to some heroics from Corey Perry.
- Phil Kessel shot a puck off a crossbar so hard it flew halfway across the rink into the bench. That guy's good.
- If you ever wanted to hear a Blackhawks fan tell a ref he's an idiot, here's the link for you.
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