Blackhawks lose to Avalanche, 4-3, in OT

Embed from Getty Images

By JAY COHEN | AP Sports Writer

CHICAGO (AP) — Cale Makar scored on a slick move 2:38 into overtime, and the surging Colorado Avalanche beat the Chicago Blackhawks 4-3 on Tuesday night.

Makar skated into the left circle, spun away from Chicago center Kirby Dach and then drove to the net. The defenseman beat Marc-Andre Fleury on the stick side for his 14th goal.

Colorado forward Logan O'Connor and Chicago captain Jonathan Toews each had a shot go off a post in overtime before Makar's game-winner.

Fellow defenseman Erik Johnson had two goals as Colorado won for the seventh time in eight games. Alex Newhook also scored, and Darcy Kuemper made 28 saves.

Chicago dropped its fifth straight game. Alex DeBrincat scored two power-play goals on consecutive shots, and Toews scored in the second period. Fleury finished with 29 stops.

Led by DeBrincat and Patrick Kane, the Blackhawks moved in front with two goals in 40 seconds in the third period. First, DeBrincat converted a one-timer off a pass from Kane, and then he got his 20th goal when he beat Kuemper off another assist from Kane at 2:58.

The Avalanche tied it again when Johnson's shot from the side appeared to go off the stick of Blackhawks defenseman Jake McCabe and past Fleury at 11:44.

It was the first meeting between the Central Division teams since Colorado's 4-2 victory in the season opener Oct. 13. The Avalanche jumped all over the Blackhawks in the first game, opening a 3-0 lead 9:34 into the first period.

Colorado got off to another fast start in its first trip to Chicago this season. Johnson's shot from near the blue line traveled through traffic in front before beating Fleury on the stick side at 7:43, and Newhook made it 2-0 when he converted a backhand with 6:06 left in the opening period.

The Avalanche nearly had another 3-0 lead, but Fleury robbed Tyson Jost with his left leg with 1:40 left.

Johnson's goal was his fourth of the season and No. 30 for Colorado's defensemen.

Chicago responded with a much better performance in the second. Toews poked home a rebound for his fourth goal at 4:47. Henrik Borgstrom nearly tied the game in the final minute, but he was denied by Kuemper.

WORTH NOTING

The Blackhawks moved forward MacKenzie Entwistle from the taxi squad to the active roster, and forward Josiah Slavin was reassigned to Rockford of the American Hockey League. Entwistle picked up an assist on Toews' goal.

UP NEXT

Avalanche: Host the Winnipeg Jets on Thursday night.

Blackhawks: At the Arizona Coyotes on Thursday night.

The Chicago Journal needs your support.

At just $20/year, your subscription not only helps us grow, it helps maintain our commitment to independent publishing and remain free from influence.

CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE

Jay Cohen can be reached at https://twitter.com/jcohenap