The Chicago Blackhawks (12-5-3, 27 pts) started the third period with a powerplay and an overwhelming 8-2 deficit. Unfortunately, the 'Hawks managed only a single shot -- a 10 foot wrister from Jonathon Toews -- as the Oilers (9-7-2, 20 pts) quietly killed yet another Blackhawks opportunity.
With about 10 minutes remaining in the game, 20-year-old Taylor Hall blasted a 40-foot wrister for a hat trick and the Oilers' ninth goal, marking the first time the Oilers have scored nine or more points since 1992. When the crowd finished celebrating Hall's sixth goal of the season, the Edmonton faithful began chanting, "We want 10!" in hopes the Oilers might add another goal to their already impressive nine.
With about eight minutes remaining, Daniel Carcillo and Theo Peckham engaged in a nearly slow motion fight, with Peckham landing several tired blows to the back of Carcillo's helmet before the two men were led away to their respective penalty boxes, ending their days and concluding the games notable action.
Interestingly, from the surface statistics, one might expect the Blackhawks had won the game -- the 'Hawks took 36 shots to Edmonton's 34, had eight fewer penalty minutes than the Oilers, had four less giveaway, had two more takeways, and won 35 faceoffs to Edmonton's 28.
The only stat they did not best the Oilers in? Goals.
Chicago will be back in action next Wednesday when they head to California to take on the San Jose Sharks (11-5, 23 pts).
Stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago for more information, and for in-depth analysis on the Chicago Blackhawks be sure to visit Second City Hockey. Visit SB Nation NHL for more news and notes around the league.