Coach Quenneville decided to switch up his lines after the Blackhawks were held to two goals in their last two games. Hartman and Panik were moved up to the top line with Toews and Hossa was moved to the third. The move seemed to spark the third and fourth line much more as they accounted for all of the scoring.
Things started quickly for the Blackhawks with a Nick Schmaltz goal but Nathan MacKinnon tied it shortly thereafter. Later on in the first period, Seabrook sent a blast to a well-screened goalie that found its way in.
The second saw furious action and four goals between the two teams. MacKinnon got his second to tie the game at 2 and then the Avalanche took the 3-2 lead only 1:03 later. The Blackhawks responded about :30 later with a Kero put back. Matt Duchene put the Avs up 4-3 shortly before the end of the period.
The third period saw little action for the first half of the period but then Vinnie Hinostroza was woke. He scored two goals in consecutive shifts to give the Blackhawks a 5-4 lead. His first was a breakaway that was easily the highlight of the night(see below). Kero added an empty netter to seal the Blackhawks win 6-4.
Highs: The third and fourth line scoring was ignited and took the pressure off the Kane-Anisimov-Panarin line.
Lows: Playing in a game this tight with a poor Avalanche team which only has 5 home wins.
Next up: Boston Bruins Friday at 6pm.
Hinostroza fakes Varlamov right out of his jockstrap. #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/uqh9arIqT1
— MLP (@Pappy_Hour) January 18, 2017
