It will be two teams going in opposite directions when the Chicago Blackhawks visit the Calgary Flames on Saturday.
The Blackhawks defeated the Seattle Kraken 3-1 on Thursday night for their third straight win, while the Flames dropped a 3-2 decision to the Ottawa Senators in a second consecutive overtime defeat.
Ilya Mikheyev scored two goals and goaltender Arvid Soderblom made 26 saves in Chicago’s home win over the Kraken on Thursday.
“I think it’s the first one since I’ve been here,” Blackhawks captain Nick Foligno said about the three-game win streak. “It’s a good feeling. It’s a credit to the guys and believing in what we’re trying to do here and knowing there’s more to give and expecting more of ourselves.
“I think we’re excited (with) the direction we’re going with (interim coach) Anders (Sorensen) here, and he’s done a great job of coming in and solidifying some things, but it’s a credit to the group.”
Sorensen replaced Luke Richardson, who was fired on Dec. 5. Chicago has gone 4-3-0 since.
“I think just the daily process of how we’re doing things,” Sorensen said. “But even within our game, I think we’re playing a bit more, we’re hanging on to more pucks, I think we’re making a bit more plays. We’re a little bit more on the rush, maybe, which has been good. Today again, I thought we did that. I thought coming out of our D-zone, we’re coming out with numbers, and that’s a big part. And we’re connected coming out. It’s not one guy coming out. We’re connected coming out. So that helps.”
Defenseman Nolan Allen added his first career goal Thursday and Teuvo Teravainen had two assists.
The Flames lost a heartbreaker Thursday night in Calgary as Ottawa captain Brady Tkachuk scored 55 seconds into overtime.
Jonathan Huberdeau’s power-play goal 7:16 into the third period tied the game 2-2 for Calgary.
“It’s the way we play,” said Blake Coleman, who scored the Flames’ other goal.
“Low-scoring, tight-checking. It’s going to lead to some close games. We’ve found ways to come back. We also have to figure out ways to control leads. We’re going to be in these tight games. Especially at home, it feels like we’re constantly finding overtime so we have to find ways to come out with two points instead of one.”
Dan Vladar stopped 26 shots for Calgary and Nazem Kadri had his four-game goal streak snapped.
The Flames have played 12 overtime games this season, the most in the NHL, but have lost the last four.
“It was a good game,” Flames defenseman Mackenzie Weegar said. “Both teams battled hard tonight. A lot of physicality, a lot of pace to the game. Two great goaltenders going at it. Came down to the wire. Tough one to lose that one. That’s tough.”
Second-year center Connor Bedard leads the Blackhawks with 26 points (seven goals and 19 assists) and Ryan Donato’s 11 goals are the most for Chicago.
Huberdeau tops Calgary with 23 points (12 goals, 11 assists), while he and Kadri are tied for the goal lead.
–Field Level Media
