Blackhawks set NHL record with 2-1 win over Sharks
After last night’s 2-1 win over the San Jose Sharks, the Chicago Blackhawks have set a new NHL record.
They now hold the record for the best start to an NHL season, receiving at least one point for each of their 17 games so far this season. While they have lost three games, they were all in overtime, so the Blackhawks did receive a point for each of those games.
The record was previous held by the 2006-07 Anaheim Ducks, who received points for their first 16 games of the season. The Blackhawks tied that record on Feb. 19 with a shootout win over Vancouver, then sealed the deal on Feb. 22 with their win over the Sharks.
”It’s nice to get another win and make history,” the 20-year-old rookie Brandon Saad said. ”Our group’s had a great year so far, so we never expect anything less.”
It was Saad’s short-handed goal early in the third period that put the Blackhawks ahead 2-1 and eventually won them the game.
”We’re celebrating the win now. I’m sure it will sink in a little bit more tomorrow, but it’s awesome to be part of history,” said Saad.
”I thought we got better as the game went on, each and every shift,” Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville said. ”We certainly got some energy off the penalty kill tonight, none more than getting the shortie in the third.”
But the Blackhawks don’t want to stop at 17 games. They want to continue their streak of receiving points for every game.
”The guys should be proud of the achievement, the accomplishment,” Quenneville said. “I just think we shouldn’t be happy with where we’re at. We just want to keep trying to get better.”
The Blackhawks will play the Columbus Blue Jackets next (5-10-2) on Feb. 24 at 7pm as they try to continue their point-receiving streak.
