CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Blackhawks finally put an end to their five-game losing streak with a decisive 4-2 win over the Montreal Canadiens on Friday night. Behind the stellar performance of goaltender Arvid Soderblom, who made 38 saves, and Nick Foligno's two goals, the Blackhawks were able to overcome their recent struggles and claim victory at the United Center.
This win was particularly important for Chicago, who faced the Canadiens after suffering through three consecutive games where they had been outscored 17 to 5. The team's morale took a hit after they lost 6-2 to the St. Louis Blues during the Winter Classic just days earlier.
Montreal entered the game riding high off three consecutive victories, but the absence of key players Patrik Laine (recovering from the flu) and David Savard (upper-body injury) left the Canadiens at a disadvantage. Michael Pezzetta and Jayden Struble were tapped to fill those gaps, but it quickly became clear this would be a tough match.
The game started on the wrong foot for Montreal. Just 3:21 minutes in, the Blackhawks capitalized on a 5-on-3 power play. Tyler Bertuzzi, with his typical opportunistic flair, slid the puck past Canadiens goaltender Sam Montembeault for Chicago's first goal of the night. The early score put the pressure squarely on the Canadiens.
Despite this setback, Montreal quickly rallied, showcasing their offensive prowess. Just before the first period concluded, with 1:36 left on the clock, Cole Caufield found the back of the net, tying the game at one. This was Caufield's 20th goal of the season, marking the fourth consecutive year he has achieved this milestone — the first Canadiens player to do so since Max Pacioretty.
During the second period, the Blackhawks regained the lead. Nick Foligno, demonstrating his veteran skills, redirected a shot from Wyatt Kaiser, sneaking the puck past Montembeault to put Chicago up 2-1. Soderblom continued to shine between the pipes, making key saves and stopping 19 shots from Montreal during the second period alone.
Chicago maintained their momentum going forward, increasing their lead to 3-1 following Patrick Maroon's goal just 3:01 minutes after the start of the third period. Maroon, who has struggled for consistency this season, was able to take advantage of a turnover to score his second goal of the year.
Montreal's Emil Heineman responded with his own moments of brilliance, scoring his 10th goal of the season. Heineman's quick reflexes saw him bat the puck out of mid-air, bringing Montreal back to within one at 3-2. Still, the Canadiens were unable to seize additional scoring opportunities as they faced off against Soderblom's formidable defense.
With just under five minutes left to play, Foligno struck again, doubling down on his previous efforts and pushing the Blackhawks' lead back to 4-2 following yet another chaotic sequence around the Canadiens' net.
Despite the mounting odds, Montreal sought to rally one last time, pulling their goalie late to generate additional offensive pressure. Yet, Soderblom remained steadfast, and the Blackhawks clung to their lead, sealing the victory.
The loss was disappointing for the Canadiens, who exhibited commendable effort but struggled to convert on their opportunities, outshooting the Blackhawks 40-26 overall. Had they capitalized on their chances during the game, especially against Chicago's struggling roster, the outcome might have been different.
Montreal captain Nick Suzuki emphasized post-game the need for his team to bounce back, acknowledging the competitive nature of the matchup. “We were generating chances and controlling play, but at the end of the day, we need to score when it counts,” he stated.
Montreal's attention now turns to their next challenge as they face the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday night, hoping to regroup and improve their offensive efficiency. Meanwhile, the Blackhawks will look to build on this win as they prepare to host the New York Rangers on Sunday.
With the North American hockey season heating up, every game counts, and both teams will have their eyes set on securing more wins as the postseason draws closer.