Recap: Hossa Hurt as Blackhawks Fall to Senators

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When the Chicago Blackhawks and Ottawa Senators took the ice Tuesday at the United Center, both teams were doing so on short rest. Both teams were playing in their third games in just four nights and were looking to wrap up that stretch of games with a victory. While the Ottawa Senators struck first, The Blackhawks did their best to battle back throughout the game. Their final push in the latter seconds of the game was valiant, but ultimately, the team was unable to score and tie the game to earn at least a point.

The Blackhawks received some bad news when they learned that veteran forward Marian Hossa would not return to the game after suffering an injury in the first period. The Blackhawks official Twitter account announced ahead of the second period that Hossa would not return, which is cause for concern given the fact that Hossa is such continues to play such a big role in the team’s success with his contributions both on the ice and in the locker room. The team recently dealt with injuries to some top stars like Corey Crawford, Jonathan Toews, and Brent Seabrook. While Crawford remains out, both Toews and Seabrook have since returned. If Hossa’s injury is something long-term, however, the team could be in trouble as Crawford remains out and the team is currently without the services of Artem Anisimov who was injured against the St. Louis Blues last week.

The Senators ultimately won the game, and despite winning their last five games prior to this loss, the Blackhawks ultimately fell to second place in the NHL standings as the Pittsburgh Penguins beat the New York Rangers 7-2 tonight as well.

First Period

As he’s done in each of his last three games, Bobby Ryan found the back of the net to open the score for the Senators in Chicago. The goal came at just the 4:30 mark of the first period by way of an assist from Kyle Turris. The Blackhawks have now given up the first goal in each of their last four games – though they’d previously won each of the first three instances in that scenario, they simply couldn’t overcome playing from behind in this contest.

As he’s done so many times already this season, Artemi Panarin scored and helped equalize the game for the Blackhawks. His goal came with the man advantage with helpers being credited to both Seabrook and Patrick Kane. Panarin is now up to 15 goals on the season after scoring 30 in his rookie season just a year ago. With his assist on the goal, Seabrook officially recorded 300 assist in his NHL career Tuesday night.

Second Period

Though the second period started tied at one goal apiece, the Senators quickly did their part to create a gap between the Blackhawks and themselves. At the 7:31 mark of the second period, Derick Brassard scored his seventh goal of the season, giving the Sens the 2-1 lead.

Just 10 seconds later, however, Tom Pyatt also found twine, scoring his fourth goal of the seaoson and giving the Senators the two-goal lead.

Tyler Motte scored a goal from Vinnie Hinostroza and Ryan Hartman to bring the Blackhawks within one at the 12:00 minute mark of the second. The goal was originally challenged for an offside call, but the play was ultimately deemed inconclusive and the Blackhawks were awarded the goal as a result.

The Senators made their mark with their own power player marker under three minutes later when Dion Phaneuf found the back of the net, however, restoring the two-goal lead for his club. Turris and Erik Karlsson were credited with the assists and the Senators ended the period up 4-2.

Third Period

Starting up the Blackhawks’ rally, Richard Panik found twine off of the post for his ninth goal of the season at just the 1:42 mark of the third period. Both Kane and Duncan Keith recorded the assists on the goal and the Blackhawks were back within one goal of tying the game.

Kruger was awarded a penalty shot late in the third period but was stopped by Senators’ goaltender Mike Condon to keep the Blackhawks down a goal.

Scoring Summary

FIRST PERIOD

OTT – B. Ryan (7) assisted by K. Turris

CHI – A. Panarin (15) PPG assisted by B. Seabrook and P. Kane

SECOND PERIOD

OTT – D. Brassard (7) assisted by C. Wideman and B. Ryan

OTT T. Pyatt (4) assisted by J. Pageau and Z. Smith

CHI – T. Motte (4) assisted by V. Hinostroza and R. Hartman

OTT – D. Phaneuf (5) PPG assisted by K. Turris and E. Karlsson

THIRD PERIOD

CHI – R. Panik (9)

THW Three Stars

First: B. Ryan (1 goal, 1 assist)

Second: P. Kane (2 assists)

Third: K. Turris (2 assists)

Up Next:

Colorado Avalanche at Chicago Blackhawks

United Center – 7:30 p.m. CT on Friday, Dec. 23

Broadcast channels – CSN Chicago

2016-17 Season Series: 

First Match up of the Season