Scoring First Was 'Vital' For Blackhawks
The Chicago Blackhawks and the Florida Panthers battled into the second period in a scoreless game before Brent Seabrook lit the lamp on a power play. The goal would prove to the biggest difference maker in the game.
"I thought we did some good things in the third [period], but scoring first tonight was vital," Blackhawks head coach Joel Quenneville said.
The third period was highlighted with goals by Viktor Stalberg, Patrick Kane and Tomas Kopecky, and the continued stellar play by goalie Corey Crawford. But Seabrook's goal can't just be credited as one of four, it was the goal that sparked the win.
"I thought we had some chances, they had some chances, but for the most part it was a pretty defensive game," Seabrook said.
The win put the Blackhawks in fifth place in the Western Conference, tied with Los Angeles and Nashville. But nine games left the Blackhawks trail Phoenix by three points for fourth place, the last playoff seed with home ice advantage in the first round.
