The Chicago Blackhawks moved within striking distance of Western Conference leaders Minnesota on Wednesday with a 4-3 overtime win over the Wild.
With the game tied at 3-3 through overtime, Blackhawks goaltender Ray Emery stopped both Minnesota shootout attempts, while Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane each nailed their shots to give Chicago (19-8-4) the victory.
Kane ended the game with a nifty move in front of the net to fake out goaltender Niklas Backstrom by switching the puck from his forehand to his backhand.
“I saw [Backstrom] bite one way and had the open net. I’ve been practicing shootouts in practice,” Kane said.
Marian Hossa and Michael Frolik scored about a minute apart in the second period to put Chicago up 2-0, but the Wild evened the score within the next five minutes on goals from Kyle Brodziak and Matt Cullen.
Toews put the Blackhawks back in front at 6:54 in the third before Minnesota (20-8-4) forced overtime on Mikko Koivu’s goal with 5:04 remaining in regulation.
Emery made 27 saves for the Blackhawks, who now trail the Wild by two points in the Western Conference.
Backstrom had 28 saves and Cal Clutterbuck added two assists for Minnesota.
“It [stinks] we don’t get two points, but this is a win for me,” Wild coach Mike Yeo said.
The Wild lead the NHL with 44 points. The Blackhawks, who are 7-1-1 in their past nine games, have 42.
BRUINS 5, SENATORS 2
In Ottawa, Tim Thomas made 47 saves to help Boston down Ottawa and make it three straight wins.
Daniel Paille scored twice, Rich Peverley had a goal and an assist and Chris Kelly and Patrice Bergeron also scored for Boston, which moved atop the Eastern Conference standings.
The Bruins have gone 17-2-1 since Nov. 1, when they launched a 10-game winning streak with a win over Ottawa.
Daniel Alfredsson and Jason Spezza each had a goal and an assist for the Senators.
Wednesday’s other game:
‧ Anaheim 4, Phoenix 1
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