The Associated Press
CHICAGO–Jonathan Toews’ offensive numbers have been subpar this season, but the Chicago Blackhawks’ captain came through with a huge performance last night.
He scored the tie-breaking goal with 1:18 to go as Chicago beat the Vancouver Canucks 4-2 for its third-straight victory.
Toews, who also had three assists, connected from the left circle after Richard Panik’s shot from right wing hit Canucks’ defenceman Alexander Edler’s leg, went wide, and caromed off the back boards.
Toews fired the puck in before Canucks’ goalie Ryan Miller could move across the crease.
“The goals I’ve scored lately are just getting those bounces; being in the right spot at the right time,” noted Toews, who now has eight goals and 18 assists in 40 games.
“It was nice to get that one on my stick.”
Toews snapped a six-game drought with the goal. He had just two assists during that span.
Panik had a goal and an assist while Patrick Kane also scored for the Blackhawks, who now have won seven of their last nine.
Marian Hossa added an empty-netter with 24 seconds left for his 18th goal and 400th point with Chicago.
But all the offensive kudos were directed toward Toews.
“It’s a huge night for him,” Panik said. “Hopefully, he’ll jump on that and go from here.”
Corey Crawford made 26 saves to earn his 200th win after Troy Stecher and Bo Horvat scored 46 seconds apart early in the third period to tie it for Vancouver.
“It’s always nice to reach those milestones,” noted Crawford. “[But] it’s tough to give up that lead, too.
“We didn’t get down, didn’t get frustrated,” he added. “Came back with a big goal.
“Nice to see ‘Tazer’ get that one too.”
Miller stopped 31 shots as the Canucks lost in regulation for just the second time in their last 13 games.
“It’s really a kick in the teeth to come all the way back and lose on a fairly fluky kind of play,” Miller said.
“We got ourselves back in the game in the second and I think we carried it into the third.
“Just really disappointed to not get a point at least out of here, especially with that effort,” he added.
Elsewhere, in the NHL Columbus topped Ottawa 7-6 (OT), Nashville doubled Minnesota 4-2, Pittsburgh dumped Boston 5-1, the N.Y. Rangers nipped Detroit 1-0 (OT), and Philadelphia edged the N.Y. Islanders 3-2 (OT).
