INSTANT ANALYSIS: Pair of Big Goals Power Chicago to Third Straight Win

The Blackhawks are rolling, winners of three straight under interim head coach Derek King following a 2-1 win over Arizona on Friday night at the United Center.
Alex DeBrincat and Dylan Strome scored the tallies on the night to close out the homestead with a perfect record, while Marc-Andre Fleury made 22 stops in his second straight win.
"A lot better. Winning a couple games will do that to you," Jonathan Toews said of the team's mood overall. "Just overall, guys feel more relaxed, having fun... Just going out there that we know what to do on the ice and just play the games."
"I think everyone feels better," Strome added. "As a team, we're playing more loose, playing for each other a bit more and I think it's showing out there. Had the crowd back into it three games in a row now, so it feels good. I think everyone's having fun right now."

POSTGAME LINKS
GAMECENTER: CHI vs. ARI
RECAP: Blackhawks Take Third Straight
HIGHLIGHTS: Blackhawks vs. Coyotes
GALLERY: Blackhawks vs. Coyotes
INSIDER: A Conversation with Derek King

DYNAMIC DUO

DeBrincat and Kane combined for perhaps the prettiest goal of the Blackhawks season in the second period as Kane skated the length of the ice on a delayed Coyotes penalty, weaved through three Arizona defenders and then delivered a perfect backhand feed to DeBrincat for a one-time bid in the top corner.
"It's fun to watch. I snuck out there on the 6-on-5... I just jumped on and got a front-row seat. Those guys are fun to watch," Strome said of the goal. "Kaner dances through like four guys and then backhands it across ice, and Cat's in his office. Those guys know how to do it. They're fun to watch and they're great players"
"He makes a lot of those plays, but that was a pretty special play," Toews said. "Obviously a really nice finish by Cat there."

The goal underwent a lengthy review as the Coyotes thought they had made contact with the puck to earn a whistle on the delayed call. But in the end, the play stood and the highlight-reel moves from Kane stood.
"Would've been a tough on to call back. I feel like whatever rule calls that one back, you've got to change that rule because that was a beautiful goal. Big goal for us as well."
The duo, along with center Kirby Dach, have been Chicago's go-to line of late, both at 5-on-5 and carrying their chemistry to the top power play unit.
"I think we can be one of the better lines in the league," Kane said before the game. "Fun playing with those guys, too, because they both want to do so well."
Of DeBrincat's 10 points this season, Kane has also tallied a point on seven of them, including in three straight games. On Sunday night, it was Kane finding DeBrincat in overtime to clinch the win. On Tuesday, both assisted on the Seth Jones tally for his first of the season. And Friday, the Kane-to-DeBrincat magic manifested for the opener.

REDEMPTION TALLY

Strome's game-winner was doubly important for the forward, beyond what it meant to the team on the night. Stepping into the top power play unit while Dach was in the locker room with a bleeding lip, the forward put a one-time bid from Kane into the back of the net for the 2-1 lead that went on to be the final.
"It's a good feeling. Been a while since I scored a goal, especially at home. Felt great," Strome said. "Kind of shot it right at him and it squeaked through there as he was sliding over. Kaner made a great pass and I'll take that one for sure."

In and out of the lineup for most of the season, Strome's celebration was clearly one of relief in his third straight game back in the gameday roster. It was also a big moment of relief after a penalty late in the second period led to Arizona's lone goal early in the third on the man advantage.
"It felt nicer because I took that dumb penalty," he added. "Nice to have that confidence from the coach to get you out there after you made a mistake.''
"He takes the penalty, the ice time hasn't been right there for him all the time... It was a big goal. I'm happy for him," King said. "It's maybe something that gets him over the edge now and realize that he can play the game, just needs to play the game right all the time. The fact that he took that penalty, the reach and lifting the stick, I was unhappy about it, but the fact that he gets on that power play and scores a goal, it was very nice."

BORGSTROM RETURNS

Henrik Borgstrom returned to the lineup for the first time since Oct. 24 on Friday night, skating 6:49 of ice time and registering one shot.
After scoring his first goal of the season against Detroit, the forward entered COVID-19 Protocol on Oct. 26 and was cleared ahead of morning skate on Nov. 3, but needed time to ramp back up to game action. He was still ineligible to travel to Canada the next day for the game against Winnipeg on Nov. 5, took part in morning skate on Sunday ahead of the game against Nashville, but didn't get to join a full practice day until this past Monday. He then missed Tuesday's game against Pittsburgh with a non-COVID related illness and was finally ready to return to the lineup against the Coyotes after a pair of practice days at Fifth Third Arena.
"Obviously a tough start to the season," Borgstrom said Thursday. "You just love to be out there and play hockey and being by myself in the apartment just wears on you."