Utah backhands Blackhawks to keep playoff push going

Lawson Crouse's third-period goal led the Utah Hockey Club to a 2-1 win over the visiting Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday in Salt Lake City.

Utah outshot Chicago 36-22, including a 14-6 edge in the third period. The offensive flurry paid off 12:12 into the final frame, when Crouse fired a backhanded shot from just inside the circle dot to break a 1-1 tie.

Utah is 5-2-0 in its last seven games, keeping the team afloat in the crowded Western Conference playoff race. Utah sits three points behind the Calgary Flames for the final wild-card slot.

Clayton Keller scored Utah's first goal, equalizing the score at 19:16 of the second period. Keller has seven points (three goals, four assists) during a five-game points streak.

Karel Vejmelka stopped 21 of 22 shots to earn his 15th win in 36 games this season.

The Blackhawks are on a four-game losing streak and have just three victories (3-9-5) in their last 17 games. Chicago is second-last in the NHL with 41 points.

Arvid Soderblom stopped 34 of 36 Utah shots, playing well in the losing effort.

Seth Jones scored Chicago's only goal, giving the Blackhawks the lead 13:34 into the first period. During a power play, the defenseman cannily worked his way into the circle and then converted a nicely placed snap shot.

Jones' goal came on the Blackhawks' only man advantage of the night, as the red-hot Chicago power-play unit is 6-for-11 over its last six games. The Blackhawks added to the special-teams dominance Tuesday by going 5-for-5 on the penalty kill.

Chicago's lead stood until the final minute of the second period. Michael Kesselring's long-range shot hit Keller in front of Chicago's net, and Keller then deposited the loose puck past Soderblom.

The late dagger of a goal swung the game's momentum, leading to the Utah Hockey Club's dominant third period. Soderblom did his best against the pressure, making several big saves before Crouse finally tallied the go-ahead goal.

--Field Level Media