After arguably their worst performance of the season against the Sharks, expectations for the Blackhawks reached a low point. The Blackhawks needed a big win to hold off the negative press, and they got that against a strong team in the Vancouver Canucks.
The first period started out well for the Blackhawks, as they were out shooting the Canucks 14-3 midway through the first period. Alex DeBrincat opened up the scoring as he snapped off a sharp wrist shot while falling for a highlight real goal.
The Blackhawks struck again late in the first period, as Andrew Shaw was the finisher on a beautiful tic tac goal play against a shorthanded Canucks team.