Lankinen makes 33 saves, Blackhawks topple Flyers
CHICAGO, April 26, (AP): The Chicago Blackhawks wanted to give their fans something to cheer about at the end of a long season.
Alex DeBrincat delivered. DeBrincat scored his 41st goal in the third period and Kevin Lankinen made 33 saves, helping the Blackhawks beat the Philadelphia Flyers 3-1 in a matchup of disappointing teams.
“The guys, they battled, they worked,” interim coach Derek King said. “Lanks played well. We did some good things.”
Jonathan Toews had a goal and an assist as Chicago (27-42-11) won for
ICE HOCKEY
just the fifth time in its last 20 games. Erik Gustafsson also scored against one of his former teams, and Dominik Kubalik picked up an assist in his 200th NHL game.
King talked to his team at the morning skate about making the most of its last three games, including two at home. The Blackhawks improved to 13-21-6 at the United Center this season.
“Finish right at home. Get the fans out of their seats,” King said.
Philadelphia lost for the 12th time in its last 16 games. Kevin Hayes scored for the Flyers (25-44-11), and Felix Sandstrom made 30 stops in his fourth NHL start. “We weren’t good enough with the puck tonight versus a team that transitions really well,” interim Flyers coach Mike Yeo said. “They came in off the rush and it gave them a lot of opportunities.”
Chicago was clinging to a 2-1 lead
when DeBrincat converted a one-timer off a cross-ice pass from Patrick Kane at 7:45.
DeBrincat matched his career high for goals, set during the 2018-19 season. It was Kane’s 66th assist, equaling
his career best from 2018-19.
Blackhawks defenseman Jake McCabe was sent off for tripping with 1:23 left, and Philadelphia’s Bobby Brink shot the puck off the inside of the right post. It nearly went off Lankinen
and in, but defenseman Riley Stillman swept it off the line.
The Flyers went 0 for 4 on the power play, continuing their season-long special teams issues, and the Blackhawks went 0 for 5 with the man advantage.