After heading into overtime with the score set at 1-1, Jonathan Toews would be the player to snap the Blackhawks’ four-game losing streak to come out on top, 2-1, against the Los Angeles Kings.
Tonight’s contest marks the third time in the last four games that the team has competed in overtime in close matchups. It also makes it the seventh game this season where the score has been determined by only one goal.
“We’ve been playing a lot of tight hockey,” Jason Dickinson said. “So, to get one [win] out of the last five, that have been within one or maybe two goals, so it’s good. It’s huge for the morale of the group to go into the road not feeling so down.”
SODERBLOM SECURES FIRST WIN
In his first NHL win, Soderblom felt that he was dialed into the game right from the start. He felt he was able to stay on in the game due to feeling ready since the start of morning skate earlier in the day and maintained his calm composure throughout the night.
“I feel great,” Soderblom said. “It was fun game to play and I’m glad to pick up my first one. It finally came and I’m super happy.”
Although he played in Rockford at the beginning of the year, he felt he has shown others what he is capable of. Soderblom was recalled from IceHogs after Petr Mrazek was placed on injured reserved. For players like Dickinson, he notes the confidence the team has in all three netminders this season despite the adversities they have faced.
“It’s nice when you can go out there and not have to worry about who’s between the pipes because you got confidence in whoever’s back there,” Dickinson said.
Video: Soderblom on first career NHL win in net, 2-1 OT
TOEWS EXTENDS SCORING STREAK
Toews’ overtime winning goal extended his point streak to seven points (5G, 2A) in seven straight games. With different expectations coming into this season, he felt that he could play normal hockey without forcing standards on himself. Toews noted his overthinking and being overprepared were some of the key signs in previous seasons where he might have struggled to find the back of the net.
“It’s fun to just go play,” Toews said. “There weren’t really any [expectations] for a team and for myself especially this year. I’ve always kind of been talking about taking it one day at a time and just going out there and playing and worrying about the next play the next shift and that’s kind of what I’m doing.”
He also attributes his recent success to his linemates of Taylor Raddyshn and Tyler Johnson who have been able to help him produce. With Johnson being on injured reserve, he felt that Phlipp Kurashev has been able to step up and maintain that same level of puck possession to continue to feed off each other.
Head coach Luke Richardson has noticed Toews’ improvements in key moments in recent games by placing him in faceoff positions in the defensive zone to show how he still relies on him not only as a player but as the leader of the team.
“I think he’s really excited to be back playing and feeling healthy again,” Richardson said. “I think he expects a lot from himself. There’s a lot of things that drive him to be what he is, and he’s been the leader so far. So, that’s great to see.”
Video: LAK@CHI: Toews buries a pass in front for the OT win
UPCOMING
The Blackhawks will travel to Winnipeg on Saturday for a 2 pm schedule puck drop.
Video: Toews on early season success and 2-1 OT winning goal