Golden Knights blast Blackhawks, extend win streak to 4 games
CHICAGO — One of the reasons for the Golden Knights’ slow start offensively was their inability to simply hit the net with their shots.
Yet, there they were Tuesday, picking out their targets with the precision of an Army marksman.
Daniel Carr went top shelf.
Alex Tuch hit the upper corner.
Shea Theodore’s snipe in the third period was so accurate, officials didn’t even know it went in until play was halted for a review.
The team that’s fourth in the league in missed shots set a franchise record for goals in a game in routing the Chicago Blackhawks 8-3 in front of an announced crowd of 21,460 at United Center.
“Simplifying has really helped us out,” Tuch said. “I know we have a lot of offensive weapons in this room, but we’re concentrating on team hockey first and it’s been working out for us.”
Theodore and Cody Eakin each had two goals and an assist to help the Knights extend their season-long win streak to four games and move over the .500 mark for the first time at 13-12-1.
Twice before have the Knights scored seven in a game: on Oct. 27, 2017, against Colorado (7-0) and on Feb. 21 against Calgary (7-3).
“We all (saw) it the first of the year. We were hitting goal posts and things weren’t going our way,” coach Gerard Gallant said. “We had no puck luck and we talked about that. But now it seems like we’re playing better and working harder, and now the pucks are going in the net. Hopefully, that continues.”
Tuch finished with a goal and an assist, while William Karlsson (power play), Ryan Reaves and Carr also scored, as the Knights chased Chicago goaltender Corey Crawford after the second period.
Deryk Engelland had three assists. Ryan Carpenter, Tomas Nosek and Max Pacioretty each added two assists.
The Knights, who moved within two points of first place in the Pacific Division, have 27 goals in their past six games and scored six goals or more three times in that span.
“I think we’re getting better and better,” said Eakin, who tied Jonathan Marchessault for the team lead in goals with 10. “It wasn’t the start we wanted, but new additions, injuries and stuff like that. It happens. We’re hoping that we can maintain this level of play, the play that’s allowed us to have success and wins moving forward.”
Carr, who was called up from the American Hockey League on Thursday, scored his first goal 2:10 into the first period before Tuch roofed a wrist shot at 12:14 following a turnover by Crawford.
Eakin gave the Knights a 3-0 lead with less than four minutes left in the first when he waltzed past Crawford and practically skated the puck into the net.
Yet the scoreboard flattered the visitors.
Goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury was forced into several tough stops, including a 3-on-1 with 5:40 remaining in the period.
“I feel like maybe earlier those periods killed us,” goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury said. “They had some chances and it was back and forth. We talked between periods that wasn’t the way we wanted to play with this team because they’re so skilled. I think from the second and third, we had the puck a lot and dominated the game.”
Chicago got as close as 4-2 midway through the second period, but Reaves scored two minutes later, and Theodore converted with 5.8 seconds left in the second to put the game out of reach.
“It’s good for our team to get some confidence, especially the goals going in tonight,” Gallant said. “We’ve just got to keep going and worry about the next game (at Vancouver on Thursday). Tonight was a big win for us.”
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Contact David Schoen at dschoen@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-5203. Follow @DavidSchoenLVRJ on Twitter.
Box Score
Golden Knights 8, Blackhawks 3
