In Chicago, the visiting Washington Capitals posted three goals in the middle frame on Sunday night to distance themselves form the Blackhawks en route to a 4-2 win.
The Caps improved to 14-8-3.
“I thought it was two tired teams playing,” Chicago coach Luke Richardson said. “We got that first goal and then we just got off a little bit of the game plan, and we really weren’t on it in the first period. But I think they found it, just too many line rushes against that are outnumbered.
“I thought we did some good things in the O-zone, but we just gave them a little bit of opportunity to find some legs and life there. Unfortunately, they got a couple of bounces, and then we were chasing it the rest of the way.”
Darcy Kuemper made 33 saves in the win.
After a scoreless opening stanza, the Blackhawks took a 1-0 lead on a goal from Philipp Kurashev at 6:49 of the middle frame.
The Caps replied with three straight markers.
Anthony Mantha knotted the game, 1-1, at 8:11.
Dylan Strome connected at 13:50 to give the Caps a 2-1 lead.
“That’s just what ‘Osh’ brings to the table,” Strome said. “He can do so many different things night in and night out. He’s unbelievable at being an unreal team guy, good on the power play and kind of chips in wherever he needs to, with anything, really. He scores goals, sets up plays, and obviously makes big hits.”
Nic Dowd , who had a pair of markers on the night pushed the lead to 3-1 at 15:23 of the second.
“These are tough games, right?” Dowd said. “Travel [Saturday] night, long bus ride. I think we just have a veteran team, and guys understand how the game needs to be played. And we have great goaltenders.”
The Hawks dropped to 9-17-1
“We need points. We need wins,” Chicago’s Nick Foligno said. “I will say I thought we had more of our sustained game in this homestand (2-1-1), so that was good to see. Our identity came out a lot more, so that’s a step in the right direction. But again, you want to get greedy in these [games] and get this win, too, and really feel good about yourself going on the road.
“But it’s good for us. It’s a step in the right direction. Still a long ways to go.”
Dowd hit his double at 15:58 of the third period.
“Honestly, it’s so hard to score from in tight like that,” Dowd said. “Teams play really good defense. It’s tough to get a shot off in today’s game. A lot of the goals are scored down there. I think you saw that tonight.”
Chicago’s Connor Murphy s hit off the power play at 18:18 to make it a 4-2 count to the Caps, but the Blackhawks had nothing else to give in the loss.
Arvid Soderblom made 23 saves in the loss.
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