The Oilers were just what the Blackhawks needed.
In search of a victory to help erase the memory of their biggest loss of the season three nights earlier and to quell — at least temporarily — concerns about their goaltending, the Hawks took advantage of the worst team in the NHL to return to their happy place.
Jonathan Toews, Troy Brouwer, Marian Hossa and Dustin Byfuglien scored goals while Cristobal Huet earned the victory in goal Tuesday night as the Hawks defeated the Oilers 4-2 to improve to 4-2 on their season-long, eight-game trip. Patrick Kane and Duncan Keith each added two assists as the Hawks bounced back from a 5-1 drubbing Saturday night at the hands of the Canucks.
Toews scored on the Hawks’ first shot of the game, 44 seconds in, after taking a pass from Kane to kick things off in the right direction. With the assist on Toews’ 18th of the season, Kane became the youngest player in Hawks history to reach 200 points. At 21 years, 2 months old, Kane eclipsed Denis Savard’s mark of 21 years, 251 days.
“It means a lot,” said Kane, who was the top overall pick of the 2007 draft. “Coming in as a pretty hyped-up, first overall pick you want to live up to that hype. With all the great players who have played in a Blackhawks uniform, to be the youngest player to 200 points is a pretty great accomplishment and, hopefully, I can keep it going throughout my whole career.”
Kane added his 201st point early in the second when he assisted Brouwer’s score. The winger notched his 15th goal when his shot from the right circle after a fine, back-hand pass eluded goalie Jeff Deslauriers.
“He’s so smart on the ice and so patient,” said Hossa, who has 746 career points and knows a little about scoring. “He has a special gift and is such a talented player. With his size it almost doesn’t matter because he’s so skilled. He can (weave) through players as not many players can. With his patience he has the total package.”
Byfuglien redirected a Keith shot midway through the second for his 13th of the season to give the Hawks a 3-0 lead before Hossa fired a loose puck into an empty net while the Hawks (36-13-4) were on a power play to extend the lead. It was Hossa’s 14th goal in his 30th game.
Fernando Pisani’s goal in the final minute of the period made it 4-1 and Ryan Potulny scored early in the third to cut the deficit in half. Edmonton fell for the 11th consecutive game and dropped to 16-29-6.
One-timer: Brent Sopel, who is bruised and battered, was given the night off against the Oilers. The veteran defenseman missed just his second game of the season. Jordan Hendry replaced him after being a healthy scratch the last five games.
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ckuc@tribune.com
Big number: 8
Consecutive regular season games the Hawks have won in the Canadian province of Alberta entering Tuesday.
