Blackhawks: OT win in Anaheim was historic for both Hawks and Ducks

The Chicago Blackhawks defeated the Anaheim Ducks 3-2 in Orange County on Sunday. Here’s why the game was historic for both sides.

As soon as the puck dropped at the Honda Center on Sunday to kick off the Chicago Blackhawks tilt with the Anaheim Ducks, history was made.

In fact, it was a very historic night for both teams in Orange County. Let’s start with Anaheim first.

The Ducks made history both as a franchise as well as individual history on Sunday. Formed in 1993, Anaheim played their 2,000th game in franchise history against the Blackhawks. One other team joined the NHL along with the Ducks in 1993, with that team being the Florida Panthers. They’ll play their 2,000th game on Saturday when they face off against the New York Islanders.

The most fascinating historical statistic for the franchise in Sunday wasn’t so much that the team was playing in their 1,000th game. Instead, it was that 34-year-old center Ryan Getzlaf has played in exactly half of those games.

And we mean exact.

While Anaheim was taking the ice for the 2,000th time, Getzlaf was taking the ice for the 1,000th time in his career.

The team honored him with a short video tribute in the first period as the fans and even members of the Blackhawks applauded and showed their respect for the accomplishment.

Now onto the Blackhawks.

The first bit of history was made 9:21 into the first period.

Rookie defenseman Adam Boqvist scored his first career goal in just his second career game with a wrister assisted by Jonathan Toews and Alex Nylander. Boqvist had made his NHL debut the night before just 30 miles north in the Hawks’ loss to the Los Angeles Kings.

Finally, Patrick Kane’s OT winner just 24 seconds into the extra frame was historic for two reasons.

With Kane’s goal, he moved into 100th all-time in points in NHL history. The goal moved him past Vincent Lecavalier, earning him his 950th point in his career.

It was a fitting thank you to Hawks netminder Robin Lehner, who stood on his head to get the Hawks the much-needed win. Lehner stopped 36 of 38 shots to help the Hawks earn their first road win in 2019.

With Kane’s goal, it sealed the deal on Lehner’s 100th win in career history and capping a historic night all around in Anaheim.

Fortunately for the Hawks, their collection of individual accomplishments was enough to spoil the all-time accomplishments for the Ducks on Sunday.