Even if just for one night, the magic returned. When the Chicago Blackhawks entered the NHL Western Conference bubble in Edmonton, Alberta two weeks ago, expectations weren’t high. A Stanley Cup run remains unlikely, but a late-night, late-game thrilling victory over the hosting Oilers leaves the Heart Attack Hawks one win away from an official playoff berth.
This play-in qualifier surely isn’t over quite yet, but the series momentum took a monumental shift with 1:16 showing on the clock in the third period on Wednesday night. A sloppy close to Game 1 and an uninspired effort in Game 2 opened the door for Connor McDavid and his Oilers to grab the Blackhawks by the throat in Game 3. When pucks weren’t bouncing Chicago’s way down one goal with a shade over five minutes to play, a lucky turnover and quick shot from the stick of Slater Koekkoek found twine with the assistance of a friendly deflection from Matthew Highmore.
The next four minutes were excruciatingly tense and unfulfilling, neither team willing to sacrifice their hand for an ounce of aggression. Destined for overtime until the puck, like the score before, ricocheted off a stick and possibly Jonathan Toews, passing net-minder Mikko Koskinen on its way to the back of the net. The celebration began for many including myself, but the mood quickly shifted and focus regained. 1:16 to keep a lead. Although uncertain at times, the clock eventually struck 0.0 and the stick taps and goalie-based group hugs commenced.
It wasn’t easy; not for the Blackhawks, and certainly not for those of us sitting at home. But a win is a win, an over is an over, and in this situation, to lead the Oilers 2-1 IN Edmonton is a big deal. Maybe there’s something to using the home locker room after all.
It all comes down to Friday…
Okay, maybe not really. In the best-of-five, Saturday could prove necessary to determine who advances to the playoffs. But Friday, 5:45 pm (CST) is can’t miss television. A win pushes the Blackhawks to the sweet sixteen. A loss muddies the waters quite a bit.
The Heart Attack Hawks showed up on Wednesday night, truly reminiscent of the golden-era oh so many (five) years ago. The triple-overtime thrillers, the third period comeback tales, the games that live in infamy and Blackhawks lore; Maybe Wednesday was the last time we’ll see that for a while. Or maybe, just maybe, we’ll be reaching for the defibrillator a few more times before the final whistle on the 2020 NHL season blows.
Chelsea, take us home:
