Chicago outscore Senators

In Chicago, Alex DeBrincat had a hat trick and five points as the Blackhawks edged out the Ottawa Senators, 8-7.

The game was 5-4 after the opening 20 minutes of play in favor of the Hawks as the defenses of both teams took a night off.

Alex Debrincat had a hat trick in win over Ottawa – file photo by Lewis Bleiman

“It was a pretty crazy game,” DeBrincat said. “It felt more like a summer hockey game with that high scoring. It’s good we got the win. That’s all that matters. Move on from here.”

Patrick Kane had a goal and three points to extend his point streak to 18 games.

“Man, I think that’s probably what you would identify as a goalie nightmare, for both sides,” Cam Ward said. “That’s pretty crazy, to be honest with you. Obviously, the two points at the end of the night are the most important thing.

“But at the same time, we realize we can’t play like that if we want to be successful. But you take it for what it’s worth. The fans got the full value of their ticket tonight, and it is what it is.”

Ward got the win in relief after starter, Collin Delia made just seven saves and surrendered four goals; Ward made 28 saves.

Gustav Forsling, Dylan Strome, Jonathan Toews, and Brandon Saad also scored for Chicago.

“When somebody made it 8-7, I don’t know if it was the other team, I think it was the other team, but someone was like, ‘It’s 8-7 right now.’ And we’re looking around like, ‘Wow, it’s 8-7,” Strome said.

Colin White and Thomas Chabot scored two goals apiece in the loss.

“Yeah, even if you win it, it’s a weird one,” Ottawa coach Guy Boucher said. “It’s one of those ones, it’s been 22 years, I’ve seen a lot of weird games, and that’s one of them. And you know it right away. Both teams are pretty much equal to what’s happening, and you feel it’s going to be a toss-up, whoever makes the last mistake, and that’s what it was.”

Bobby Ryan, Rudolfs Balcers and Mark Stone also scored for the Senators.

[WATCH: All Senators vs. Blackhawks highlights]

Anders Nilsson got the start for the Sens but was given the hook after making only nine saves and yielding four goals.

Craig Anderson made 26 saves in relief.

“No, definitely not the way things were drawn up. That’s the way the game goes sometimes, and you just kind of roll with the punches here. Just it is what it is, and you know, it’s definitely memorable. Had family here, but at the same time, not the way we drew it up,” Anderson said on playing in his 600th NHL game.