NEWSLETTER
The Penguins had their playoff hopes riding on beating the Blackhawks. Chicago had the worst record in the NHL on the line — and the best odds in the draft lottery. Again, this one felt like we should be able to write the outcome before the night began but these Blackhawks don’t like your narratives. Why make life easy when you can keep working? Meanwhile…
Star 1: Petr Mrazek
It was kind of ridiculous that he was as under siege in the first 45 minutes as he was and the Blackhawks somehow still had a one-goal lead. It wasn’t until Caleb Jones took penalties on consecutive shifts to start the third period that the Hawks couldn’t keep it together. Mrazek brought his A Game for the second-to-last game of the season.
Star 2: Buddy Robinson
Robinson had 10 points in 61 career games at the NHL level before Tuesday night. He was recalled so the Blackhawks had enough skaters to finish the regular season after sending Lukas Reichel and Alex Vlasic back to Rockford. With Pittsburgh’s season on the line, Robinson had two points in a span of 26 seconds in the third period as the Blackhawks grabbed a 2-goal lead. He did not understand the assignment.
Star 3: Caleb Jones
If losing was the goal, Caleb did one helluva job on Tuesday night. His two penalties in the early stages of the third period shoved the door wide open for the Pens to come back just as the Wild did on Monday night in Chicago. The Blackhawks were tired, and his play amplified their dead legs. So if the Blackhawks do land the top pick in the draft, shoutout to Caleb for his two penalties tonight. He came back with a penalty on Buddy Robinson’s go-ahead goal later in the third period so Caleb was… yeah. Whatever.
