The Hawks scored twice in the first 90 seconds but ultimately fell 5-4 in overtime, finishing the season 24-25-7.
Dylan Strome’s 2020 offseason was full of uncertainty, as he lingered as a restricted free agent until the day before training camp. His 2020 offseason will be much the same, with his role on the Hawks moving forward jeopardized by his nightmarish season.
But whether or not Monday represented Strome’s last game in red and black, he made the most of it — even though the team squandered it.
Inserted back into the lineup for Adam Gaudette after being healthy-scratched the last two (and four of the last nine) games, Strome recorded a goal and an assist as the Hawks culminated their season with a 5-4 overtime loss against the Stars.
“[Strome has] had some good moments where he’s made some plays and impacted the game,” coach Jeremy Colliton said. “Then obviously we’re still looking for a bit more without the puck and winning puck battles and trying to get our team out of ‘D’-zone.”
The Hawks used the energy from another limited-capacity crowd of 3,917 to score twice in the game’s first 90 seconds, with Alex DeBrincat’s goal — his 32nd in 52 games — making him the first NHL player since 1985 to score in each of his team’s final seven regular-season games.
But the Stars dominated puck possession and the shot counter from then on, finishing with an absurd 50-23 shots-on-goal advantage, and finally tied the game 4-4 with two goals two minutes apart in the third period.
The Hawks squandered a four-minute power play in overtime before Jason Robertson’s game-winning goal for Dallas.
Shaw nominated
Andrew Shaw was nominated Monday by the Chicago chapter of the Professional Hockey Writers Association for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy.
The Masterton is awarded annually to the NHL player “who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to ice hockey.”
Shaw overcame low expectations as a youth player and prospect to make the NHL, score 573 career points and win two Stanley Cups with the Hawks. He then endured numerous lengthy concussion recovery periods to continue his NHL career until this season.
Thirty-one players are nominated — one from each team. Flyers forward Oskar Lindblom, Sharks forward Patrick Marleau and Maple Leafs goalie Jack Campbell will be top contenders along with Shaw.
