Chicago Blackhawks Defeat Edmonton Oilers in Overtime 3-2. The Streak Continues

Feb 25, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks right wing Marian Hossa (81) reacts to scoring the game winning goal against Edmonton Oilers goalie Nikolai Khabibulin (35) during overtime at the United Center. The Chicago Blackhawks beat the Edmonton Oilers 3-2 in overtime. The Blackhawks set an NHL record for scoring at least one point in 19 consecutive games to open a season. Mandatory Credit: Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports

It wasn’t the prettiest of the Chicago Blackhawks 19 consecutive games without a regulation loss, but their victory over the Edmonton Oilers was a victory none-the-less.

The Hawks, who were playing in their second of back-to-back games, while the Oilers had the previous night to rest in Chicago, while the Hawks were busy defeating the Columbus Blue Jackets.  In the first period, the Oilers and their fresh legs, really couldn’t keep pace with the surging Blackhawks, but the scoreboard did not reflected no such advantage.  The Oilers took a 1-0 league on a Jeff Petry shorthanded goal, after Duncan Keith lost his footing and coughed up the puck.  A minute later, Patrick Kane evened the score at one goal a piece with his Power Play goal.  The score would remain tied through the rest of the period, while the Hawks dominated play, but overall, failed to finish,

The second period consisted of both teams exchanging chances, with the Hawks getting the most of them.  However it was Edmonton who would break the tie, late in the second period, on rookie Nail Yakupov‘s Power Play goal penetrated the almost always reliable Chicago Penalty Kill.

The Hawks game flying out of the gate, to start the third period.  The game was evened up at 2 goals apiece, when Viktor Stalberg’s shot was ruled a goal after a brief video review for confirmation.  The Hawks, again piled on the scoring chances in the third, but again left with nothing to show for it.  Former Hawk, and current Oiler goaltender, Nikolai Khabibulin, was very strong in net for Edmonton.  The game clock eventually hit zero, with the score tied, each team earned one point in the standings, and the Blackhawks streak of games to start a season without a regulation loss had stretched to 19 games.

The game needed less than two minutes of overtime to reach a decision, as Patrick Sharp displayed some great moves and shot a puck that was eventually buried in the back of the net on a rebound by Marian Hossa, giving the Chicago Blackhawks a 3-2 victory over the Edmonton Oilers.

Notes-

Ray Emery got the job done tonight, but wasn’t exactly spectacular.  He made a few very nice saves, but gave up some juicy rebounds, but he did enough to earn the win to extend his record on the season to 8-0-0.

Hawks captain Jonathan Toews, had a slightly “off” night.  He missed on several clutch shot attempts, and took an ill-timed offensive zone penalty.  Havign said that, the captain always makes his presence felt, even on his rare “off” nights.  Toews was 12 for 21 in the faceoff circle, and made some nice passes on the night.

Daniel Carcillo continues to make his presence felt as a phyiscal force, since returning from injury.  Carcillo was credited with a team-high 6 hits on the night.

The Blackhawks hit the road for their next game, in what should be an interesting matchup against the division-rival, St. Louis Blues.  Puck drop is set for 7:00 PM Central Time.