Artemi Panarin Scores Early In OT To Lead Blackhawks To 2-1 Win Over Blues

Artemi Panarin scored 25 seconds into overtime just after a penalty expired to give the Chicago Blackhawks a 2-1 road victory over the St. Louis Blues on Wednesday night.

Artemi Panarin Scores Early In OT To Lead Blackhawks To 2-1 Win Over Blues

Goalkeeper Corey Crawford delivered yet another stellar performance, making 27 saves for Chicago. The Blackhawks (10-3-1) have now won seven consecutive games, while the Blues (7-4-3) won their previous two games.

Chicago has earned a point in nine straight games, thanks in part to Crawford, who has allowed just six goals in his last six matchups.

“He’s been phenomenal,” Chicago defenseman Brent Seabrook said. “He’s been the backbone.”

Crawford stopped 11 shots in the third period, including a sliding kick save on Vladimir Tarasenko while protecting a 1-0 lead.

“I’m in a good spot right now,” Crawford said. “I feel good. I’m reading plays (well). I’m patient when I have to be and aggressive when it’s time.”

Crawford is 7-3-1 this season.

Panarin, who also had an assist, scored from the top of the left circle one second after the Blackhawks’ power play ended, and his wrist shot beat Blues goalie Jake Allen through a screen of St. Louis defenseman Colton Parayko and teammate Jonathan Toews.

Panarin, a Russian-born winger, does not speak English. His usual interpreter, center Artem Anisimov, left the game in the second period with an upper-body injury.

“He’s day-to-day,” Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville said. “He’ll be all right.”

Marian Hossa scored his sixth goal in seven games for Chicago, who have outscored opponents 30-15 in their last nine games.

Alex Pietrangelo tied the game for St. Louis with 2:11 remaining. Allen made 28 saves for the Blues.

Pietrangelo, whose slap shot from the left circle beat Crawford, was called for delay of game with 1:36 remaining in regulation after attempting to clear a puck out of his zone. Pietrangelo saw Jori Lehtera screening Crawford and slapped the puck towards the net, finally beating Crawford to help the Blues salvage a point.

“That’s a tough way to lose,” Pietrangelo said. “I feel really bad right now. Tough to take a penalty there in the last minute. It’s a lonely feeling sitting in that box, I’ll tell you. I thought we did a good job though, crawling our way back and getting a point out of it.

“(I was trying) to get the puck out of our end. Sometimes the puck rolls. I’m not trying to flip it over the glass.”

Hossa scored 1:22 into the second period off a rebound of defenseman Gustav Forsling’s one-time shot from the left point to give Chicago a 1-0 lead.

The Blues are struggling after beginning the season with three straight wins. They will next visit the Nashville Predators on Thursday.

The Blackhawks host the Washington Capitals on Friday.

ST. LOUIS, MO – NOVEMBER 9: Scottie Upshall #10 and Jake Allen #34 of the St. Louis Blues defend the goal against Artemi Panarin #72 of the Chicago Blackhawks at the Scottrade Center on November 9, 2016 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)

Article by Pablo Mena