Instant Analysis: Canadiens Rally to Beat Blackhawks 5-2

CHICAGO – The old adage goes that “if at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.” It applied to the Chicago Blackhawks several times throughout the night. But it would be the Montreal Canadiens benefitting the most from that line of thinking.

The Canadiens rallied for three unanswered goals in the second period, and used it to beat Chicago 5-2 Friday night on a festive home game just days before Christmas.

Looking for a second straight win, it was Colin Blackwell’s second effort that saw a spin-o-rama, calming a hopping puck, and then dishing off to Jason Dickinson charging into the slot. Dickinson got his 10th of the season, and the Blackhawks a 2-0 lead.

Montreal answered back quickly with a redirection from Mitchell Stephens to bring it back to 2-1, but the Blackhawks stemmed the momentum burst for a short time–something that had gotten them many times earlier in the season. But Montreal evened it on a back door play, something that has plagued Chicago all season long. They then potted a third late in the second period, earning the lead at 3-2. They’d score another with 6:49 left in the third to go up 4-2, and that’s all they’d need. Seconds alter, they’d score again, but the play was ruled offside. But an empty netter with 1:56 left would finish it off.

Things started well–but like a lot of efforts this season, it just went the wrong way for the Blackhawks.

Blackwell Buzzing for Blackhawks All Night

Aside from the deft little move he made, Blackwell was all over the ice for Chicago. He had a breakaway that just went high of the net. Blackwell banged away at a late second period chance that earned him a shot to the back. He was active all night disrupting plays wherever he could.

It’s the second game where he’s been a presence on the ice, injecting energy into the Blackhawks attack, forecheck and backcheck. In short, he seemed to be just about everywhere on the ice.

While the effort was appreciated by the fans, it just wasn’t enough for the Blackhawks to get back into the game by the end.