Raanta Outlasts Darling As Depleted Blackhawks Lose To Rangers, 1-0, In OT

Antti Raanta and Scott Darling put on a goalie clinic at the United Center tonight as an Original Six matchup between the Chicago Blackhawks and New York Rangers ended in a 1-0, Ranger victory in overtime.


The Blackhawks had two days rest as the Rangers came to town, but they were without some key members, (Toews, Seabrook, Crawford).  The Rangers played the night before in Winnipeg.  It isn't often that Henrik Lundqvist sits out back to back games, but Raanta had been hot as of late and he showed it again tonight.

The game was scoreless midway through the 3rd period, when Marian Hossa scored an apparent go-ahead goal, only to have it overturned as Hossa had been offside.  But it was Nick Holden who had the game-winner, just :55 seconds into overtime, after a bad shift change for the Hawks.

Both Raanta and Darling had highlight reel saves throughout the game.  Raanta improves his career record at the United Center to an incredible, 15-0-3.  Darling suffered the loss.  He had gone 2 regulation games without giving up a goal till the OT goal.  His previous game was a 4-0 shutout on Tuesday against the Arizona Coyotes.

Three Stars Of The Game
1st - NYR - Antti Raanta - 26 saves, shutout
2nd - NYR - Nick Holden - 1G
3rd - CHI - Scott Darling - 36 saves, .973 SV%

Notable mentions: For the 3rd time in their last 5 meetings, the Blackhawks and Rangers skate to a 1-0 score.  Patrick Kane took a hard hit and hit his head against the boards.  He left the ice for possible concussion symptoms, but returned to the game after a short time.  Scott Darling, unfortunately, is now 1-3, since Corey Crawford is out with appendicitis.  None of which is his fault considering he has only given up 6 goals in 4 games.

Next game: Sunday, December 11th, Home against the Dallas Stars (11-11-6), 6PM CT, TV-CSN-CH, RADIO-WGN720AM

LET'S GO HAWKS!!!