The Blackhawks fell to the Panthers by a score of 4-3 despite Alex DeBrincat finally capitalizing on his inspiring play all night by forcing the game into overtime with a goal in the closing seconds of regulation.
Adam Gaudette opened scoring by registering his first goal as a member of the Hawks. Vincent Hinostroza also gave Chicago their second lead of the game as he was able to tally against the team that dealt him before the TDL.
Both rookie goalies Kevin Lankinen and Spencer Knight turned in rock solid efforts in net to give their respective teams a chance to earn standing points. Knight proved to be a difference maker to get the Cats the extra point.
Putting the game aside, the bigger news on Thursday was the announcement that the doors to the United Center will open up so a limited amount of fans can attend the last 2-game series of the year versus the Stars.
Tickets for upcoming #Blackhawks games will go on sale to the general public next week!https://t.co/svkP3r5fpr
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) April 29, 2021
Starting Lineup
The starting lineup included Nicolas Beaudin and Adam Gaudette returning to the lineup while Philipp Kurashev sat for the first time since the season opener:
#Blackhawks lineup vs. Panthers:
— Charlie Roumeliotis (@CRoumeliotis) April 29, 2021
DeBrincat-Suter-Kane
Hagel-Dach-Hinostroza
Kubalik-Strome-Gaudette
Hardman-Kampf-Connolly
Zadorov-Murphy
Keith-Kalynuk
Stillman-Beaudin
Lankinen
Subban
Here we go, boys!@budlight | #CHIvsFLA pic.twitter.com/p8mevaDWH5
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) April 29, 2021
Scoring Recap
1st Goal: Gaudette (1-0)
Gaudette goes for it!#CHIvsFLA pic.twitter.com/wjvMhM41Vl
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) April 30, 2021
2nd Goal: Wennberg (1-1) PP
Now credited to Wenny so just in case it goes back to Weegs, we will say with confidence that a Florida Panther whose last name starts with "We" scored this goal! pic.twitter.com/CW3T5ORgsQ
— x - Florida Panthers (@FlaPanthers) April 30, 2021
3rd Goal: Hinostroza (2-1)
SaucyðŸ#CHIvsFLA pic.twitter.com/Pzvu2UG6YV
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) April 30, 2021
4th Goal: Duclair (2-2)
Deni's first point, Duke stays hot, and we've got ourselves a tie game 🙌 pic.twitter.com/IJ6z3H7Z80
— x - Florida Panthers (@FlaPanthers) April 30, 2021
5th Goal: Montour (2-3)
PRECISE 🎯 pic.twitter.com/iO5no6jukV
— x - Florida Panthers (@FlaPanthers) April 30, 2021
6th Goal: DeBrincat (3-3)
(No video available)
With 17.6 seconds left in regulation and Lankinen off the ice for the extra attacker, DeBrincat deposited the equalizer with a one timer from the left slot once Patrick Kane found him alone after play overloaded to the right side.
7th Goal: Bennett (3-4) OT
Very into the concept of Sam Bennett as a Panther. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/2vTl93YVjU
— x - Florida Panthers (@FlaPanthers) April 30, 2021
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Game Notes
FINAL: Panthers 4, #Blackhawks 3 (OT)
— Charlie Roumeliotis (@CRoumeliotis) April 30, 2021
Shot attempts: 65-47 FLA
Shots on goal: 39-27 FLA
5-on-5 scoring chances: 24-11 FLA
5-on-5 high danger chances: 7-5 FLA pic.twitter.com/SD9tUh4S5Q
Dach and DeBrincat are proving to be a dangerous pair of penalty killers as they are able to use their aggressiveness and speed to force turnovers and create scoring chances. Knight stoned them a few times on separate plays.
Physicality Pushback
Although this game wasn't as edgy as the previous Lightning contest, the Hawks did display pushback on physicality by the Cats. On one play, Radko Gudas shoved Hagel who was joined by Connor Murphy and Nikita Zadorov to pinball Gudas to the ice.
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Player Notes
Wyatt Kalynuk
Remaining on a hot streak, Wyatt Kalynuk notched a point in a 4th straight game while staying steady on the back end with upstanding gap control and net front coverage.
Nicolas Beaudin
After not playing in a month, Beaudin looked particularly sharp in the defensive end magnetizing himself to the slot, maintaining inside positioning, and making simple plays.
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Rockford Updates
Playoff & 2021-22 Season News: The AHL announced the 2021 postseason plans (No playoffs of us/Central Division) and next season is scheduled to start on Oct. 15! https://t.co/mcBuwZba9q
— Rockford IceHogs (@goicehogs) April 29, 2021
The latter news doesn't matter anyway for the IceHogs as they likely wouldn't have qualified for the postseason. Rockford is in last place in the 6-team Central Division being 8 points out with 7 games left.
On the Move: We have re-called goalie Tom Aubrun from his loan to the @IndyFuel https://t.co/28dJPppqi1
— Rockford IceHogs (@goicehogs) April 29, 2021
Tom Aubrun provides the Hogs with a backup goalie for Nalimov to carry the load unless the Blackhawks send Tomkins back down which they can do with Collin Delia being the 3rd goalie to fulfill the NHL minimum.
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See you on the boards!