Blackhawks try to bounce back in Game 2 vs. Ducks
Gary A. Vasquez/USA TODAY Sports
The Chicago Blackhawks had an especially long layoff between the Western Conference Semifinals and Western Conference Finals. The rust didn’t really show at the beginning of the game, as the Blackhawks came out buzzing with chances, but they had nothing to show for it against Frederik Andersen.
Andersen’s best save of the game came early on against Blackhawks star Patrick Kane. Right when it looked like Kane was going to give Chicago a 1-0 lead, Andersen made a miraculous save to keep the score tied at 0-0:
The Ducks then struck first midway through the first period on Hampus Lindholm’s goal. Anaheim extended that lead to 2-0 thanks to Kyle Palmieri’s first goal of the postseason before Brad Richards finally got on the board for Chicago.
However, that was all the scoring there would be for the normally high-powered Blackhawks. Chicago’s power play was an anemic 0-of-3, and the Ducks tacked on two more goals in the third period, including an empty-netter, to earn a 4-1 Game 1 victory.
The two teams will get together again for Game 2 of the series in Anaheim on Tuesday night. While the Blackhawks were defeated soundly in Game 1, a strong performance in Game 2 would have them right back in this series as it shifts to Chicago.
The Blackhawks’ stars will certainly need to step up, but it would also be nice for them if their depth played a factor. The Ducks’ depth has been on full display throughout the playoffs and in Game 1, and Chicago needs to match that.
The Blackhawks could be in some trouble on the blue line. Michal Rozsival is out for the season with a gruesome ankle injury, and replacement David Rundblad had several key mistakes that contributed to Anaheim’s first two goals. Veteran Kimmo Timonen barely played, leaving Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook, Johnny Oduya and Niklas Hjalmarsson to take on a heavy load. With Rundblad struggling, Kyle Cumiskey will likely get a turn in Game 2.
The Ducks are a 1½-goal favorite in Game 2, and the moneyline for the home team ranges from -120 to -125. The over-under for the game is five goals.
