Arvidsson's Hat Trick Sinks the Blackhawks in Detroit
Detroit was the better team from start to finish, and 4-1 may still flatter Chicago. The Red Wings outshot the Blackhawks 29-19. Their chances were worth nearly six goals, with 5.85 expected goals, a measure of how dangerous each shot was. Chicago's chances added up to well under half of that.
Viktor Arvidsson turned that pressure into a hat trick plus an assist on six shots. His chances alone were worth 1.91 expected goals, so this was no fluke night. He played on a line with Alex DeBrincat and Emmitt Finnie. DeBrincat added two assists and rang two posts. Keegan Kolesar hit a third.
The Wings could have had more. Spencer Knight stopped 25 of 28 and kept the score far closer than the play. At the other end, John Gibson made 18 saves on 19 shots, allowing only a Connor Bedard goal.
The win moves Detroit to 5-4-3. Chicago is still searching for its first road win.
