VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — Tyler Bertuzzi came through in a big way Wednesday night to get the Blackhawks off the schneid during their lengthy road trip.
Bertuzzi scored three goals in the third period for his fourth career hat trick, propelling the Blackhawks to a 5-2 win over the Canucks in Vancouver.
Chicago had lost the first three games, one in overtime, of its six-game road trip, which includes fives games out West before wrapping up Sunday afternoon in Detroit.
Ilya Mikheyev also scored and Connor Bedard added an empty-net goal and an assist for the Blackhawks on Wednesday, while Ryan Donato contributed a pair of assists. Spencer Knight stopped 43 shots in net.
Aatu Raty and Evander Kane scored for the Canucks in a game in which all seven goals were scored in the third period. Kevin Lankinen made 23 saves for the Canucks, who outshot the Blackhawks, 45-28.
Bertuzzi opened the scoring just over three minutes into the third period, deflecting a long shot from Matt Grzelcyk in with his skate at the side of the net.
Bedard stretched his point streak to six games with five goals and six assists across the stretch.
Canucks winger Conor Garland returned to the lineup after missing three games with an undisclosed injury. Vancouver still has five players on its injured reserve list, but assistant coach Brett McLean said after Wednesday’s morning skate that forwards Jonathan Lekkerimaki and Teddy Blueger are expected to practice in noncontact jerseys “soon.”
Up next
Blackhawks: Visit Calgary on Friday.
Canucks: Host Columbus on Saturday.