{{pageModel.leagueAbbr}} {{pageModel.subtitle}} | Las Vegas Review-Journal
National Hockey League
Chicago 1, Anaheim 0
When: 8:30 PM ET, Monday, October 26, 2015
Where: United Center, Chicago, Illinois
Referees: Trevor Hanson, Francois St. Laurent
Linesmen: Brian Mach, Devin Berg
Attendance: 21529

CHICAGO -- Jonathan Toews figured that the odds were in his favor as he skated onto the ice for a three-on-three overtime period Monday night.

"There's a pretty high probability, high percentage, that you're going to get the puck at some point in three-on-three," the Chicago Blackhawks center said with a grin.

Toews' math was correct, and he buried a game-winning shot in the first minute of overtime for the second consecutive game, lifting the Blackhawks to a 1-0 win over the Anaheim Ducks.

Blackhawks goaltender Corey Crawford stopped a season-high 39 shots to post back-to-back shutouts for the first time since 2011. Right winger Patrick Kane tallied an assist to extend his point streak to four games for Chicago (6-3-0).

As he did 48 hours earlier, Toews drove to the net from the right side of the ice and flipped a shot past a crouched goaltender. This time, he beat Anaheim goaltender Frederik Andersen 51 seconds into overtime. On Saturday, he topped Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Kristers Gudlevskis 17 seconds into OT.

"I just told myself in my head that I was hoping or feeling that I was going to get lucky and get a chance," said Toews, who has five career overtime game-winners, "And, if I got that chance, see the puck going in."

Andersen turned aside 23 of 24 shots for Anaheim (1-5-2). The Ducks were blanked for the second consecutive game and the fifth time in eight games this season. They were shut out four times all of last season.

Despite the loss, Anaheim coach Bruce Boudreau said the game could serve as a turning point.

"You saw more of the way our team can play," Boudreau said. "We didn't sit back. We were in their face all night long, and we were after them. Unfortunately, right now, goals are really difficult to come by, but that's the way we play. On most nights, you're getting three and four in that game."

Chicago coach Joel Quenneville praised his team's effort on defense. The Blackhawks have allowed only two goals in three games since losing top defenseman Duncan Keith to a torn meniscus in his right knee.

"(Crawford) was great," Quenneville said. "I think that was the thing that stood out tonight. I think both teams had some chances, but checking was tight. The pucks were bouncing. Not very often you're going to have two games exactly like that in back-to-back fashion at home against two top teams and you come out on top, so we're very pleased with the results."

The Blackhawks thought they grabbed a 1-0 lead with 5:35 remaining in the third period, but referees waved off a goal by left winger Artemi Panarin because the net was dislodged before the shot. Andersen kicked the net from its mooring with his left skate as he shifted to defend the one-timer by Panarin.

Quenneville argued vehemently after watching the scoreboard replay of Andersen kicking the net loose. However, referees confirmed the no-goal call after a video review.

Andersen said he did not try to dislodge the net on purpose.

"That's something every goalie does now, they use the post to gain balance," Andersen said. "The rubber thing inside the post kind of gave way. It was fine the whole game, but I guess I was too strong there."

With less than three minutes remaining, Blackhawks left winger Viktor Tikhonov ripped a shot toward the net that caught Anaheim defenseman Kevin Bieksa in the face. Bieksa held a towel to his face to stem the bleeding as he skated toward the dressing room.

Anaheim's season-long offensive woes continued despite an up-tempo game by right winger Corey Perry, who led the team with eight shots. Perry's best scoring opportunity came on a breakaway early in the second period, but his wrist shot clanked off the left post and ricocheted away from the crease.

"Everything just seems to be going well for us defensively," Crawford said.

NOTES: Anaheim recalled RW Chris Wagner on Monday from San Diego of the AHL, and coach Bruce Boudreau inserted him on the team's fourth line alongside C Shawn Horcoff and LW Patrick Maroon. Wagner, 24, appeared in one game for Anaheim earlier this season. ... Blackhawks LW Bryan Bickell was a healthy scratch for the third consecutive game. Bickell scored 14 goals a season ago, but he has zero points and a minus-2 rating in six games this season. ... Anaheim RW Chris Stewart was scratched in favor of Wagner. ... Blackhawks D Duncan Keith (knee) missed his third consecutive game. ... Anaheim D Simon Despres and D Josh Manson remained out because of upper-body injuries.
Top Game Performances
 
Anaheim   Chicago
N/A Points Jonathan Toews 1
N/A Goals Jonathan Toews 1
N/A Assists Patrick Kane 1
N/A Power Play Goals N/A
N/A Short Handed Goals N/A
Frederik Andersen .958 Save Percentage Corey Crawford 1.000
Frederik Andersen 23 Saves Corey Crawford 39
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Shots Goals Power Play Penalty Kill Penalty Mins Face Offs Won
Anaheim 39 0 0-3 3-3 25 34
Chicago 24 1 0-3 3-3 15 24
Upcoming Games
  • Chicago will play their next game on the road against Winnipeg. The Blackhawks have a W/L % of .667 after a win and .667 after a loss.
  • Anaheim will play their next game on the road against Dallas. The Ducks have a W/L % of .000 after a win and .167 after a loss.