Chicago Blackhawks' Patrick Kane (88) scores on Ottawa Senators goaltender Mads Sogaard (40) during first period NHL hockey action at the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa on Friday, February 17, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/ Patrick Doyle
OTTAWA – Andreas Athanasiou scored the game-winning goal 2:52 into overtime to lift the Chicago Blackhawks to a 4-3 victory over Ottawa on a celebratory Friday night for the Senators.
Patrick Kane scored twice, including the game-tying marker, for Chicago (17-32-5) to send the contest to extra time. Sam Lafferty also scored for the Blackhawks, who snapped a three-game skid.
Petr Mrazek stopped 28 shots.
Brady Tkachuk, Claude Giroux and Shane Pinto each scored for Ottawa (26-24-4), while Mads Sogaard made 28 saves.
The Senators raised Chris Neil’s number 25 jersey to the rafters in a pre-game ceremony and appeared set to pick up their seventh win in eight games before the Blackhawks pulled even late in regulation.
After entering the third period tied 1-1, the Senators put away two early goals to take control of the game.
Giroux capitalized on a pass from Alex DeBrincat, a former Blackhawk, and beat Mrazek off his backhand 2:11 into the frame. Just over two minutes later, Tkachuk padded Ottawa’s lead.
But the Blackhawks fought back. Lafferty took advantage of a puck bouncing past Thomas Chabot and broke in alone to beat Sogaard for a short-handed goal 10:49 into the period.
With 3:05 remaining, Kane scored his second of the night to eventually send it to overtime. The goal was Kane’s 1,217th career point, giving him the third most points among U.S.-born players.
The Blackhawks opened the scoring just 44 seconds into the game when Max Domi fed a wide-open Kane, who roofed it over Sogaard’s shoulder. Kane has a 12-game point streak against the Senators (nine goals, 20 assists) dating back to Dec. 2015.
Derick Brassard sent a point shot that went off Pinto to make it 1-1 7:31 into the second period.
INTERESTING FACT OR STAT
The Senators raised Neil’s jersey to the rafters before the game. Neil played 1,026 games across 15 seasons with Ottawa. The 43-year-old is one of only two players in NHL history to play over 1,000 games and compile over 2,500 penalty minutes while playing his entire career for one team.
A number of former teammates were on hand, including Daniel Alfredsson and Chris Phillips, who are the only other two former Senators to have their number retired. Chicago head coach Luke Richardson, a former teammate and coach of Neil’s, stood to watch the ceremony.
NOTES
Ottawa goalie Cam Talbot skated for the first time since he got injured on Jan. 25, but there is no timetable for his return. Austin Watson missed the game due to illness.
UP NEXT
The Senators are back in action Sunday afternoon when they take on the St. Louis Blues, while the Blackhawks will return home and host the Toronto Maple Leafs Sunday night.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 17, 2023.
