Veteran Czech goalie makes 37 saves — many tough — in 25th career shutout, first with Chicago. Philipp Kurashev with power-play goal as Blackhawks end four-game losing streak.
Petr Mrazek was sensational in nets, stopping 37 shots for his 25th career shutout and backstopping the Chicago Blackhawks to a 1-0 win over the Anaheim Ducks on Thursday night.
Petr Mrazek takes a break on a hectic night.Set up by Connor Bedard, Philipp Kurashev's power-play goal midway through the second period stood up as the game-winner. Chicago ended a four-game losing streak and won for just the third time in 13 games.
About half of Mrazek's stops were on Grade-A Ducks chances in the Blackhawks first shutout of 2023-24. Chicago (8-16-1) earned points in consecutive games for the first time this season, following a 4-3 shootout loss at home to Nashville on Tuesday.
"He was sick," Bedard said. "Forty-save shutout or whatever. I mean he's been that the whole year. Every game he's been a rock back there for us."
Mrazek's shutout was his first since April 4, 2021 when he was with Carolina.
He was hampered by a groin injury over the past two seasons with Chicago and Toronto. Considered "damaged goods," Mrazek's condition led to the Maple Leafs unloading him and his $3.8 million annual salary in a trade to the Blackhawks in a trade in June 2022.
Mrazek said he's feeling fine now after two injury-hampered season.He's shown no signs of being hurt this season, even on lowly Chicago. He has a 3.17 goals-against average and .907 save percentage.
"It's been up and down since two years ago when the injury started," Mrazek said. "So it's been a very exciting year for me that I can stay healthy and I can do what I love to do."
Mrazek was strong early in the first and robbed Alex Killorn, among others. The 31-year-old Czech goalie held the fort again late in the second, denying Brett Leason with and Frank Vatrano with close-in pad saves.
Mrazek was sharp again in the third, stopping Jakob Silfverberg point-blank. Anaheim outshot Chicago 9-1 in the final period and 37-25 for the game.
Connor Bedard battles through coverage.Top 2023 NHL Draft pick Bedard and Anaheim's Leo Carlsson, the No. 2 selection, met in a game for the first time. Their lines weren't matched up and the two 18-year-old were barely on the ice at the same time.
Bedard said, "We were only out there for kind of one shift against each other."
Korchinski Turns on Jets
Rookie Chicago D-man Kevin Korchinski flashed his skating ability late in the second. The 19-year-old danced over the blue line on right wing, cut across the crease but was stopped point blank by Lukas Dostal.
"We want to promote that for him when it's a chance to go," coach Luke Richardson said. "The best part of his game his his skating ability and creating offense.
"It's just knowing when the other team is vulnerable and he's got the speed, and let's say our forward is standing still. Why give it to the forward who's standing still at the blue line? Keep going."
Game Flow
The Ducks dominated early, but Mrazek kept them at bay.
Anaheim missed on several terrific early chances. That included a shot by Killorn from the right side of the slot that seemed ticketed for an open net, but Mrazek slid across and made a pad save.
Fueled by two late power plays, the Blackhawks came on to dominate the final 10 minutes of the first.
Kurashev connected at 9:21 of the second with his fifth goal, set up by Bedard on the power-play with Tristan Luneau off for a double-minor.
Bedard dished to Kurashev, who fired a low screened shot from the left circle past Dostal.
Kane Footnote
Former Blackhawks star Patrick Kane made his debut with Detroit on Thursday following his hip resurfacing surgery.
Kane, second in Blackhawks history with 1,225 points, was held off the scoresheet in the Red Wings 6-5 OT loss to San Jose at Little Caesars Arena. He had three shots on goal and was a minus-1.