Kane is highlight-reel deal
OTTAWA — Patrick Kane on a breakaway in overtime? The Blackhawks like their odds in that situation whenever they can get it. Just ask the Senators. “Kane ended it with one of those highlight shots or plays,” coach Joel Quenneville said.
Sprung by a pass from captain Jonathan Toews, Kane scored 38 seconds into overtime against goalie Craig Anderson for a 4-3 victory Thursday at Canadian Tire Centre.
Kane also set up defenseman Brent Seabrook from behind the net for a one-timer late in the third period that tied the game at 3.
It was all part of a good night for the Hawks’ stars. Kane and Toews each finished with a goal and an assist.
“It’s a good way to start,” Kane said. “But to have a finish like that, where you’re coming back, tying it up and winning in overtime, we were pretty pumped up afterward. It gives everyone a lot of confidence.”
Kane scored in vintage fashion. He went to his backhand and lifted the puck over Anderson’s glove.
“Yeah, that was a pretty nice goal, highlight-reel,” said forward Alex DeBrincat, who scored the Hawks’ first goal of the season on a wrister in the first period. “You’ll probably be seeing that for the next few days.
“[The comeback win] gives us confidence and shows us that we can come back in a game. We prefer not to, but if we need to, we can. And that’s something we can build off of.”
A goalie swap
A surprise injury during the Hawks’ morning skate forced a quick change at backup goalie.
The Hawks recalled Collin Delia to back up starter Cam Ward after Anton Forsberg was hit by a puck and quickly left practice.
“We don’t think it’s significant,” said Quenneville, who confirmed that Forsberg was struck and injured by a puck but didn’t specify where he was injured.
Forsberg’s ailment still was serious enough for the Hawks to fly Delia to Ottawa.
The Hawks did not consider turning to Corey Crawford .He was one of the last players to leave the ice after the morning skate, but he’s still recovering from concussion symptoms. The team is eyeing Oct. 18 against the Coyotes for Crawford’s possible season debut.
Delia impressed the Hawks during their previous visit to Ottawa on Sept. 22. He turned away 17 of 19 shots in more than 32 minutes in a 5-2 preseason victory. The Hawks assigned Delia to the IceHogs on Sept. 29.
“[Delia] certainly proved [himself ] last year [when] he took the big chunk of the net there at the end and got Rockford in a real good spot in the playoffs, and [he] had a good playoff run, as well,” Quenneville said. “He obviously had an outstanding game here the last time we were in Ottawa. So he’s proved that he’s really developed over a short amount of time.”
In and out
Defenseman Henri Jokiharju, center Luke Johnson and winger Dominik Kahun made their NHL debuts in the opener.
Forward John Hayden and defenseman Brandon Davidson were healthy scratches.