For all the star power filling the rosters of the Washington Capitals and the Chicago Blackhawks, it was a pretty connection between two fourth-line forwards that proved to be the difference.
Chicago forward Richard Panik kicked the puck from behind the net to the rookie forward Dennis Rasmussen at 12 minutes 47 seconds of the third period, and the Blackhawks topped the N.H.L.-leading Capitals at home on Sunday, 3-2.
“I thought it was a beautiful pass,” Chicago Coach Joel Quenneville said with a grin. “One of the best passes I’ve seen all year.