CHICAGO (AP) – Seth Jones was frustrated after missing the net on a scoring opportunity in the second period.
The All-Star defender felt a lot better when the game was over.
Jones scored twice, including the winner 2:24 into overtime, and the Chicago Blackhawks cruised to a 4-3 win over the Buffalo Sabers on Tuesday night.
Philip Kurashev scored a goal and set up two assists for Chicago, and it was after an ugly 8-5 loss to Seattle on Saturday. Conor Murphy also scored, and Peter Mrazek made 30 saves.
The Blackhawks (12-26-4) won for the fourth time in five games, closing out 4-3-0 at home.
“We’ve been home for a while, so we wanted to put a good taste in the fans’ mouths and put on a show and give them a win tonight,” said Jones.
Buffalo (21-19-3) lost for the fifth time in six games. Tag Thompson, Victor Olofsson and Peyton Krebs scored for the Sabers, and Craig Anderson blocked 22 shots.
Chicago trailed 3-1 after two periods, but Jones rallied the Blackhawks in the third. Kurachev got a piece of Jones’ shot for his sixth at 1:34, and Jones tied it at 3 with a long wrist shot from the point with 56 seconds left.
Anderson was checked by Blackhawks forward Tyler Johnson for Jones’ third goal of the season, and the goaltender felt there should have been a interference call.
“On the replay, from what I see, I’m clearly not making the calls, but his left foot is in a crease, his elbow going into my glove, not allowing my glove to save,” said Anderson, a native of nearby Park Ridge.
Buffalo defender Matthias Samuelsson got a shot off the post before Jones tied the game.
“Two goals in the third period, so it wasn’t like we came back in the third period in any way,” Sabers coach Don Granato said. “But we did not underestimate our chances.”
Jones took a pass from Johnson in overtime, and his backhand caught Anderson before sliding over the line. Jones yelled and pumped his arm after entering the puck.
“It’s good to see a few get in,” he said.
Chicago jumped out on top for Murphy’s fourth home run of the season. The defender picked up a great pass from Kurachev and beat Anderson with a wrist shot from the right circle 8:41 to the first.
Olofsson tied it at one point when he hit the puck ahead at 12:15, and Buffalo grabbed the lead on Thompson’s goal with 6.9 seconds left. Jeff Skinner passed it to Thompson, who eluded Jones before pressing him.
It was Olofsson’s third goal in his last four matches and his 18th this season. He has five goals in five career games against Chicago.
Thompson scored his 32nd goal in 43 games after hitting a career-best 38 in 78 games last season. He had no goals and two assists in his previous five games.
The Sabers opened up a 3-1 lead at 6:21 into the second minute when Krebs converted a slick backhand into a breakaway. Blackhawks forward Max Dumy made Krebs’ first career shortstop with an ugly turnover.
the disease
Blackhawks goaltender Alex Stallock was the starter, but was put into concussion protocol before the morning ski. Jackson Stooper was summoned from the palace to support Mrazek.
Stallock suffered a concussion on November 1 against the Islanders, then returned on December 23 against Columbus. Chicago coach Luke Richardson said Stallock was bumped on Monday.
“You never know how things will react to people, but we’re going to take precautions and put it into that protocol for now, and just hope it settles in faster than last time,” Richardson said.
next one
Sabres: Host the New York Islanders Thursday night.
Blackhawks: In Philadelphia on Thursday night.
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