The Chicago Blackhawks fell to the Ottawa Senators 6-4 on Saturday at Canadian Tire Centre, extending their losing streak to five games. Three third-period goals from Ottawa, including two from David Perron, proved to be the difference.
Third Period Decides It
The game entered the third period tied 3-3, but Ottawa took control early. Perron opened the scoring just 1:45 into the frame with a power-play goal, one-timing a pass from Claude Giroux over Arvid Soderblom's left shoulder.
Perron struck again at 5:31, beating Soderblom with a wrist shot off a pass from Tim Stutzle to make it 5-3. Nick Lardis brought Chicago within one at 7:17, scoring his first NHL goal on a backhand shot assisted by Alex Vlasic.
Fabian Zetterlund sealed the win for Ottawa with an empty-net goal at 16:10, assisted by Ridly Greig.
Mikheyev Scores Twice
Ilya Mikheyev led Chicago's offense with two goals. He tied the game 1-1 at 1:53 of the second period, beating Leevi Merilainen five-hole on a partial breakaway after driving wide around Nick Jensen.
Mikheyev scored again at 18:32 of the second, taking a cross-slot pass from Ryan Donato and tucking it past Merilainen's outstretched left pad to tie the game 3-3.
First Period Action
Tyler Kleven opened the scoring at 6:36 of the first period with his first goal of the season. His shot from a sharp angle rattled around in the crease before going in off Artyom Levshunov's left skate. Chicago challenged for goaltender interference, but video review confirmed the goal.
Earlier in the period, Ottawa appeared to score at 2:57 when Stutzle put the puck in a partially open net, but Chicago successfully challenged for goaltender interference on Fabian Zetterlund.
Second Period Scoring
Ottawa thought it had taken a 2-1 lead at 7:29 when Dylan Cozens' shot trickled across the goal line, but it was waved off for goaltender interference. The Senators challenged, but video review confirmed the initial call.
On the ensuing penalty kill, Stutzle scored shorthanded at 8:02, intercepting a Teuvo Teravainen pass at the Senators' blue line and chipping the puck over Soderblom's blocker on a breakaway to make it 2-1.
Andre Burakovsky tied it 2-2 on the power play at 9:55 when his pass attempt redirected in off Artem Zub's stick. Brady Tkachuk then put Ottawa ahead 3-2 at 14:07, putting a wrist shot bar-down from the middle of the slot off a feed from Thomas Chabot, who was playing his first game since November 22.
Injury Notes
Frank Nazar left the game at 5:11 of the first period after taking a Jordan Spence shot to the face and did not return. Tyler Kleven left midway through the second period with a lower-body injury and will not dress against the Boston Bruins on Sunday.
By the Numbers
Soderblom made 34 saves on 40 shots for Chicago. Merilainen stopped 20 of 24 shots for Ottawa. The Senators outshot Chicago 40-24, including 18-3 in the third period.
Stutzle finished with a goal and two assists, extending his point streak to six games with 13 points over that span. Ryan Greene had two assists for Chicago.
With the win, Ottawa improved to 17-13-4 and extended their winning streak to three games. Chicago fell to 13-16-6 and will host Philadelphia on Tuesday.