Chicago Blackhawks: Games vs Maple Leafs stole fans hearts

The Chicago Blackhawks and Toronto Maple Leafs have now played their two games against one another this season, and they were amazing.

We all know that the Chicago Blackhawks have their rivals like the St. Louis Blues, Detroit Red Wings, and Nashville Predators, but there hasn’t been a matchup for the Blackhawks quite like the Toronto Maple Leafs this season. Both games have gone into the “instant classic” category as far a regular season game goes. Everyone loves Original Six matchups, but this one has had a little extra pizazz this season.

Who could forget the game that was the home opener for the Blackhawks back in October? Trailing by one with two minutes left Patrick Kane tied the game with the goalie pulled. In an instant, it looked like overtime. Until the very next shift, Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews scored to make it 6-5 Leafs with 1:02 remaining in regulation.

Then, what came next was a sign of what’s to come for number 88. He scored again with the goaltender pulled with 29 seconds left in regulation. This would finally get the game to overtime where Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly scored just 19 seconds in to defeat the Hawks. There was no way that their rematch in Toronto in March could match that level of entertainment to end the game.

Wrong. It didn’t appear fun when the Blackhawks were up 5-0 halfway through the game, but then the Maple Leafs decided to show up. They would score four unanswered goals including a goal with 1:21 left in regulation to make it a very wild finish. Leafs forward Nazem Kadri had the tying goal on his stick all alone in front of the Blackhawks’ net but couldn’t convert and the Hawks would go on to win this one.

The Leafs and Hawks are both offensive-minded teams with gaping holes on defense which is why they had a combined 22 goals in just the two games played this season. Games with lots of goals like that are always incredibly entertaining which is why people are seeing this as one of the premier matchups in the NHL. With guys like Matthews, Kane, Jonathan Toews and John Tavares in the mix you know that there might be some fireworks.

It is sad, now that this matchup is done for the season. The Maple Leafs have a chance to make a deep run through the Eastern Conference playoffs, although they have a very tough path to the Stanley Cup Final because they would have to go through Boston, Tampa and then one of Washington or Pittsburgh most likely. The Blackhawks have the odds stacked against them to even get to the playoffs at all so they will likely not be meeting in the Stanley Cup Final.

All fans of the Blackhawks are encouraged to attend all games and support the team, but the game next season vs. the Leafs at the United Center is already highly recommended. It might be one of the best hockey experiences you can find. It is disappointing that the Leafs only make one trip to Chicago each year, but you have to take advantage of the one time.

Now after the game against the Leafs, the Blackhawks are only four points behind the Arizona Coyotes for the final spot in the Western Conference playoffs. They are next in action when they meet the other Canadian Original Six team in the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday night.