Morning Chirps: Lardis nets two more, controversial goalie to make debut vs Blackhawks

The Chicago Blackhawks will hold an optional practice this morning after their big come-from-behind victory over the Anaheim Ducks last night. They will then head west for a four-game road trip that begins on Tuesday. Who is ready for some late-night hockey this week?

Blackhawks Chirps

• It’s not very often that a team can fall down 2-0 before the game is less than a minute old and still win. In fact, before yesterday, it had happened only four times in NHL history, but the Blackhawks pulled it off. Check out all my postgame musings from a big victory at the United Center.

• Connor Bedard was one of the main topics of discussion on the CHGO Blackhawks Postgame Show last night.

• While Bedard was having a four-point night in Chicago, Nick Lardis had two goals and three points in Milwaukee. After assisting on Joey Anderson’s second-period goal, he scored twice to lead the Rockford IceHogs to a 3-2 win. Drew Commesso made 25 saves to earn his sixth victory of the season. Kevin Korchinski returned to the lineup after being a late scratch on Friday.

• On this date in 1940, the game between the Blackhawks and New York Rangers featured four sets of brothers. The Rangers dressed Lynn and Muzz Patrick, and Neil and Mac Coville. Meanwhile, the Blackhawks had the Bentley brothers, Max and Doug, and Bil and Bob Carse in uniform. Rookie Max Bentley scored his first NHL goal in the Blackhawks’ 4-1 win.

• In 1974, Tony Esposito became the 14th goaltender in NHL history to record 50 shutouts as the Blackhawks beat the Minnesota North Stars 3-0. Stan Mikita, Dennis Hull, and Grant Mulvey lit the lamp for the home team.

• In 2009, the Blackhawks beat the Columbus Blue Jackets 4-3 in an 11-round shootout. Brent Seabrook scored on the 22nd shootout attempt to give Joel Quenneville his 500th NHL win.

• Blackhawks Birthday Roll Call, Dec. 1: Chris McAlpine.

NHL Chirps

• According to Kevin Weekes, Carter Hart is likely to make his Vegas Golden Knights debut and make his return to the NHL on Tuesday against the Blackhawks. During his three-game conditioning stint in the AHL, he went 1-2-0 with a 3.07 goals-against average (GAA) and .839 save percentage (SV%) for the Henderson Silver Knights.

• The start of the Mike Sullivan era with the Rangers has not been great. On Saturday, they lost their eighth home game of the season. They have scored three total goals in those eight losses. They also lost defenseman Adam Fox to a shoulder injury after a big hit from Brandon Hagel. The former Norris Trophy winner was placed on long-term injured reserve on Sunday and is expected to miss multiple weeks. ESPN’s Emily Kaplan added that the injury should not affect his Olympic availability.

• Frank Seravalli reported that Utah Mammoth forward Logan Cooley “dodged a bullet” after his injury was initially ruled a quad contusion. He confirmed that Cooley will undergo an MRI to assess for structural damage. This is excellent news after the injury looked much more serious following a knee-to-knee hit by Alexei Toropchenko of the St. Louis Blues.

• We wanted to send some positive thoughts out to former Blackhawks assistant coach Kevin Dineen, who was diagnosed with prostate cancer earlier this year.

• NHL Birthday Roll Call, Dec. 1: Bob Wall, Jim McKenny, Ryan Malone, Michael Raffl, Tomas Tatar, Noel Acciari, and Carl Grundstrom.