NEWSLETTER
The night started with a touching tribute to Marc-André Fleury’s 500 career wins that featured personalized greetings from Martin Brodeur and Patrick Roy, Fleury’s wife and children, Blackhawks teammates, capped off with the presentation of a commemorative mask presented to Fleury by Kevin Lankinen. It ended with Marc-André Fleury making 46 saves, three goals in 34 seconds, multiple players making history, and an unexpected hero winning it in overtime for the Blackhawks.
Fleury was dialed in early, making 13 first-period saves, as the Capitals failed to capitalize on a bevy of scoring opportunities in the middle of the ice in the opening frame. Washington racked up 11 five-on-five scoring chances and four high-danger chances, all shut down by The Flower.
However, the Caps took an early lead when Alexander Ovechkin drilled one home (his 274th career power-play goal (tying him with Dave Andreychuk for the most in NHL history)) from his signature left circle on the power play early in the second period. But then …
Let’s watch all three goals in 34 seconds because we can and IT’S FUN pic.twitter.com/sZ4VoRI7yb
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) December 16, 2021
The assist on the first goal of the trio by Alex DeBrincat was assist No. 700 for Patrick Kane. On a night in which Marc-André Fleury was honored for becoming Mr. 500, and Alex Ovechkin tied Dave Andreychuk for the all-time power-play goals lead, Patrick Kane became Mr. 700. What a night. Did you get all that?
MacKenzie Entwistle nearly scored a second time with a golden opportunity five minutes into the third period, but Caps goaltender Ilya Samsonov made a beautiful save to keep it 3-2 Blackhawks.
https://twitter.com/Capitals/status/1471318033713012737?s=20
Lars Eller got a back-hander past Marc-André Fleury with 8:03 to play in the third period, tying the game at three-a-piece, but it wouldn’t be tied for long. Just three minutes later, Alex DeBrincat scored his second power-play goal of the night and his 16th of the season to put the Blackhawks back on top 4-3. The DeBrincat goal was the third power-play goal of the night for the Blackhawks, a new season-high mark.
DEBRINCAT NETS THE GO-AHEAD!!! 🚨 pic.twitter.com/cX11gkGZLV
— Blackhawks Talk (@NBCSBlackhawks) December 16, 2021
But you just knew that this one couldn’t end without its share of late-game dramatics.
OHHHH MY GOODNESS pic.twitter.com/ueM1Iymzed
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) December 16, 2021
In the overtime period, it was Caleb Jones stuffing home the Kirby Dach rebound to win it for the Blackhawks. The goal for Jones was his first in a Blackhawks sweater.
HAWKS WIN A THRILLER OFF THE STICK OF CALEB JONES! 🚨 pic.twitter.com/ISqRCWafKo
— Blackhawks Talk (@NBCSBlackhawks) December 16, 2021
What. A. Game.
You can find the complete box score here!
