In Newark, the Chicago Blackhawks needed to go to the skills competition of the evening’s performance to settle their match with the New Jersey Devils on Friday.
Rookie Kirby Dach was credited with the deciding goal in the five-round shootout.
“I had three moves in my head,” Dach said. “Whatever the goalie bites on, I move to that side. I’ve had a couple of shootouts in junior (with Saskatoon of the Western Hockey League) and it worked there, so I just went back to that. It went in, so that was nice.”
Corey Crawford made 29 saves to backstop the win.
The Devils’ loss was their fourth in a row.
Taylor Hall scored a power play goal in the first period.
“We don’t have anything to lose now,” Hall said. “There’s been a big change in the organization, and when that happens, everyone has to make a change with how they’re coming to the rink. It’s a new opportunity for everyone, a fresh start, and the coaches have conveyed that to us.”
Alex DeBrincat scored on the power play in the second period to even the game up.
“It kind of bounced out to me and I got a backhander on it,” Debrincat said. “Sometimes those go in, sometimes they don’t. I’ll just keep working hard and hopefully I’ll get the chance to put it in.”
[WATCH:Â All Blackhawks vs. Devils highlights]
Mackenzie Blackwood made 28 saves in the loss.
“It was a tough result but honestly, I think the team played a pretty good game and built off the last game (4-3 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights on Tuesday),” Blackwood siad. “I know it’s a loss and I know that stings, but the energy and progress is trending in the right way.”
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