In Chicago, the Vancouver Canucks’ Bo Horvat struck for the overtime game-winner at 16 seconds of the extra session to give the Canucks a 3-2 win over the Blackhawks.
The loss snapped a five-game streak for the Blackhawks but they’ll take the loser’s point and move within four points of the Arizona Coyotes, who lost to the Tampa Bay Lighting, 4-1.
Bo Horvat scoed OT winner for Canucks – file photo by Lewis Bleiman
“We had a chance to jump on them, try to wear them down early and take control of the game, and [instead we] just let them hang around,” Jonathan Toews said. “We didn’t have the speed and pace we needed early on. Obviously, it’s nice to get that point, but tough finish.”
Vancouver is six points back of the second wild card spot.
“A little give-and-go there with [Edler],” Horvat said of the game-winner. “[Edler] made a good play to get it back to me. I just wanted to whack at it. I wasn’t even sure it was in until I went past the goalie and saw it in and threw my arms in the air. It was pretty awesome.”
Alexander Edler and Markus Granlund scored in regulation for Vancouver who improved to 31-32-10.
Thatcher Demko made 29 saves to get the win for the Canucks.
“That was a best-case scenario for an overtime, especially [since] they tied it late. I just want to get out of there. Edler and [Horvat] made a great play and a had a great finish. The quicker, the better,” Demko said.
Erik Gustafsson forced extra time when he knotted the game at 2-2 with less than three minutes left on the regulation clock.
Toews also scored for the Blackhawks.
“I think overall, the first 40 minutes for sure wasn’t good enough,” Toews said. “Especially in our building, against a team that’s on a back-to-back, we needed to take advantage and needed to have more speed and energy through four lines. I don’t think anyone really brought their A-game today.”
[WATCH: All Canucks vs. Blackhawks highlights]
Corey Crawford made 31 saves in the loss.
“He was incredible today,” Gustafsson said. “If he’s not playing like that, it’s probably 5-1. At least we got one point.”
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