Petr Mrazek’s outstanding performance with 32 saves led the Chicago Blackhawks to a 3-1 victory over the Florida Panthers. The Blackhawks ended a three-game losing streak with goals from Teuvo Teravainen, Craig Smith, and Nick Foligno. This win improved their home record to 3-5-0 for the season.
Mrazek returned to the lineup after missing the previous game due to a personal matter, showing up strong to secure the win for his team. Teravainen opened the scoring with a power-play goal early in the first period, breaking a scoring drought with his second goal in 17 games. Smith extended the lead to 2-0 with a breakaway goal, showcasing his skills with a backhand finish.
Florida’s Sam Reinhart quickly responded with a goal of his own, narrowing the gap to 2-1. Despite the Panthers’ efforts to equalize in the final minutes, Foligno sealed the victory for the Blackhawks with an empty-net goal in the last minute of the game.
The Panthers had missed crucial scoring opportunities throughout the game, while the Blackhawks showed resilience after Coach Luke Richardson called for more determination following a recent loss. The key moment came when Chicago successfully killed off a penalty in the third period, denying Florida any chance to level the score on the power play.
Notable statistics include Foligno’s impressive record of 10 goals and 14 assists against Florida in his career. Looking ahead, Florida will host a three-game homestand against Colorado, while Chicago will travel to Philadelphia for their next game.
Overall, Mrazek’s stellar performance, coupled with timely goals from Teravainen, Smith, and Foligno, secured a crucial win for the Blackhawks. The team will look to build on this momentum as they continue their season.
