Edmonton 2 Blackhawks 1: 3 takeaways

In the second game of a back to back, the Chicago Blackhawks welcomed the Edmonton Oilers to the United Center Thursday night. With just under 16 seconds left in overtime Mark Letestu one timed Edmonton to the win.

After their worst game of the 2017 season against St. Louis, the Blackhawks had the perfect opportunity to get back on track. The Oilers came in losers of four straight games. Aside from a couple of first period goals both netminders put on a clinic until Edmonton finally cashed in on the power play in overtime.

Takeaways

Have I mentioned that Connor McDavid is good at hockey? If I haven’t then I will here. Overall Edmonton has struggled but you can’t help marvel over a talent like McDavid. Whether it was the first goal that was set up by a highlight reel pass, or his speed on display as he was blowing by helpless Blackhawks defensemen, the reigning Hart Trophy winner was the star Thursday night and has eight points in six games.

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While former backup Scott Darling was backstopping his way to a 2-1 win for Carolina, Anton Forsberg continued to show he is more than capable of filling Darling’s pads in Chicago. In two games this season Forsberg has posted a .929 save percentage and a 2.80 goals against average. If not for an incredible pass from Connor McDavid to Patrick Maroon, the Swedish goaltender would have had his first shutout as a member of the Blackhawks.

On the opposite end of the spectrum is the power play. An 0 for 5 night on the man advantage sends the Blackhawks all the way down to the eighth- worst power play in the NHL. Although the effort was better than it was in St. Louis, the results were not. Throw in the fact that Edmonton has the second worst penalty kill in the league makes it more confusing why a team with this much offensive talent cannot cash in on special teams.

Next: St. Louis Blues top Chicago Blackhawks 5-2: Three takeaways

After two losses the Blackhawks travel to the desert to take on the lowly Arizona Coyotes later tonight. The Coyotes are still searching for their first win of the 2017 season and sit at the bottom of the Western Conference.