Add shootout hero to the list of accomplishments Ryan Donato has had during his impressive start to the season.
The Chicago Blackhawks rallied back from a two-goal deficit to beat the Los Angeles Kings 4-3 in a shootout.
Donato capped off the comeback victory with some slick stick work to clinch the Hawks two points in the standings.
Donato delivered ✔️ pic.twitter.com/bMcqn2gmu4
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) November 2, 2024
Donato nearly shook Kings' goalie Darcy Kuemper out of his pads with the puck control he displayed. It was nice to see Donato celebrating as Kuemper lay sprawled out on the ice in defeat, even though the Blackhawks did not deserve the W.
Through the first two periods, it looked like Kuemper was on his way toward getting a shutout as the Hawks played lackluster hockey.
The Blackhawks looking lifeless through the first 40 minutes but responding well to the adversity they put themselves in is one of three takeaways in this victory.
The Hawks managed just 21 shots on goal. They had just four scoring chances in the second period according to Natural Stat Trick.
It looked like this would be a repeat of the San Jose defeat when they tried to score the perfect goal. The effort was not there, and this was shaping up to be a tough watch.
Derek Plante in the 2nd intermission on @CHSN_Blackhawks said the team isn’t winning 1-on-1 battles & the
— Mario Tirabassi (@Mario_Tirabassi) November 2, 2024
execution is poor
“It’s basic fundamentals”
Being out-talented is one thing.
Being out-played because you cannot compete fundamentally is a whole other issue #Blackhawks
Then captain Nick Foligno got the Blackhawks on the board with a greasy goal in the third period. Good things happen when you put the puck toward the net, especially if you follow your shot.
Captain put in WORK ‼️ pic.twitter.com/lKiIJ3PSrN
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) November 2, 2024
After going back down 3-2, the Hawks finally got some late-game fortune when Tyler Bertuzzi found the back of the net with the game winding down.
It was Donato who put the puck toward the net and Bertuzzi was right there for the opportune clutch goal.
WHAT A COMEBACK 👏 pic.twitter.com/t0kUsWnuVL
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) November 2, 2024
Still, it would have been nice had the Blackhawks displayed this type of energy over the entire game instead of the final 20.
Foligno: "We obviously know we can play better and need to play better, but to find a way to come back in this game and get it done is a testament to the guys in here, and honestly probably the hockey gods, too. We probably deserved to win in San Jose and didn't. Here we probably…
— Ben Pope (@BenPopeCST) November 2, 2024
You take the win, but can you imagine the kind of victory the Blackhawks would have had if they played with the focus and effort they had in the third period for the full 60?