Blackhawks’ prolific second line back on track in 4-3 victory over Coyotes

Sometimes it takes a trip to the desert to end a drought.

For the last several games, the Blackhawks’ second line of Artem Anisimov, Artemi Panarin and Patrick Kane had not been seen on the postgame score sheets as much as it usually is.

That was one reason the Hawks were on a three-game skid — until they held off the Coyotes 4-3 Thursday night at Gila River Arena.

"We’re probably the one line that can generate a little more and start creating for the good of the team and help the overall team game," Kane said.

"That’s on us. That’s our job to create offense. Not only that, but just to get our team momentum."

Kane was the most prolific of the three of late with three goals in his last 11 games entering Thursday. But Panarin and Anisimov were in a dry spell. Panarin had not scored a goal in his last nine games, while Anisimov had not scored in his last 11.

But that changed almost from the start Thursday as Kane and Panarin helped the Hawks offense break out of its recent malaise. Oddly, both linemates got on the score sheet when the other was on the bench in the first period.

Kane got the festivities started with a gorgeous wrist shot from the right circle that deflected off the crossbar and in for a power-play goal at 8 minutes, 44 seconds.

Normally, Panarin, Anisimov and Kane are on the power play together, but against the Coyotes coach Joel Quenneville changed his power-play units. He put Kane with Richard Panik, Nick Schmaltz, Jonathan Toews and Duncan Keith. Kane took advantage for his 16th goal of the season.

After Ryan Hartman scored his 11th of the season, Panarin helped the Hawks get a second power-play goal later in the first period in setting up Marian Hossa for his 19th of the season at 14:15 to give the Hawks a 3-0 lead.

Then the line finally got in on the act together in the second period with Panarin slamming home a one-timer from the left circle at 5:24 for this first goal since Jan. 8. Kane and Anisimov got the assists, just like old times.

"They had some dangerous looks," Quenneville said. "They were generating some high quality stuff. It was nice to see them score as well. It’s tough to keep that line quiet and eventually they’re going to find a way."

Joel Quenneville on Blackhawks’ 4-3 win over Coyotes

Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville reacts to the team’s 4-3 win over the Arizona Coyotes on Thursday, Feb. 2, 2017. (Chris Hine/Chicago Tribune)

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The Hawks needed that last goal. They committed five penalties, including three for delay of game, and allowed three goals in the second period before hanging on to come away with a much-needed victory in the third.

"Just let them back in the game," Corey Crawford said. "We let them back in the game. You can’t do that. That’s one of the bottom teams in the league and they’re still coming back."

Kane said teams had been defending his line differently and taking away its typical plays. But he said that should be no excuse for not scoring.

"It shouldn’t really matter the way teams defend us at all," he said. "That’s something we’re not really worried about. We’re not standing still, moving with the puck. A couple of those games we’re kind of chasing the puck around and don’t have the possession we normally have."

Kane’s line had the puck a lot Thursday.

Perhaps their drought finally is over.

chine@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @ChristopherHine

Chris Hine’s three stars

1. Patrick Kane, Blackhawks: Had first multi-point night in seven games.

2. Christian Dvorak, Coyotes: His line had a strong night as he posted a goal and an assist.

3. Artemi Panarin, Blackhawks: Another beautiful one-timer for a goal.

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At Stars, 7 p.m. Saturday; WGN-9.

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