Alex DeBrincat had three assists in regulation and scored in the third round of the shootout to lift the host Chicago Blackhawks to a 5-4 victory over the San Jose Sharks on Thursday.
The teams failed to convert in the first two rounds of the shootout before DeBrincat solved James Reimer (28 saves). Kevin Lankinen (33 saves) denied Erik Karlsson to preserve his first win since March 23.
Patrick Kane collected one goal and two assists and Dylan Strome, Taylor Raddysh and defenseman Calvin de Haan also tallied as the Blackhawks (25-38-11, 61 points) snapped an eight-game winless skid (0-6-2).
Timo Meier recorded a goal and an assist and Scott Reedy, Rudolfs Balcers and defenseman Jaycob Megna also scored for the Sharks (29-33-11, 69 points), who have lost a season-high eight straight games (0-5-3).
San Jose turned the puck over in the neutral zone and Chicago made it pay to secure a 3-2 lead with 1:18 remaining in the second period. Kane fed de Haan in front for his fourth goal of the season and third in his last seven games.
Strome wired a sharp-angle shot from nearly along the goal line to double the advantage at 4:07 of the third period.
Balcers scored on the doorstep at 5:40 of the third period and Megna tallied from the left circle with 3:25 remaining to help San Jose erase a two-goal deficit.
Kane opened the scoring 1:18 into the game after finishing off a passing sequence with his 24th goal of the season and second in as many contests.
The early advantage didn’t last long as Meier scored from the doorstep at 4:45 of the first period for his team-leading 32nd goal of the season. Meier also scored both goals in the Sharks’ 2-0 win over the Blackhawks on Nov. 28.
Raddysh scored for the second time in as many games to give Chicago a 2-1 lead at 13:35 of the second period. Reedy, however, answered from the slot just over two minutes later for his third goal of the season.
Thursday’s game served as the final contest for Hockey Hall of Fame broadcaster Pat Foley on NBC Sports Chicago. Foley was celebrated in an on-ice ceremony prior to the game.
–Field Level Media