The Chicago Blackhawks started a three-game road trip on the East Coast, and their first opponent up was the New York Rangers. The Rangers have been struggling lately, losing five of their last seven games, including last night against the Seattle Kraken, where they lost 7-5. Both the Blackhawks and the Rangers were desperate for a win, as the Blackhawks were eager to snap their five-game losing streak. They were also looking for their first win under new head coach Anders Sorensen, and it ended up being a very entertaining night at Madison Square Garden. Here are 4 thoughts from the Blackhawks 2-1 win against the Rangers.

1. Korchinski Solid in Blackhawks Season Debut

Defenseman Kevin Korchinski has spent all season with the Rockford IceHogs, but he was recalled on Dec. 8 after Alec Martienz got hit in the neck with a puck against the Winnipeg Jets. While he is day-to-day, Korchinski slotted into the lineup playing on the third pairing with TJ Brodie.

Head coach Anders Sorensen mentioned that Korchinski has been “really good” in his last couple of games with Rockford, so it was a good opportunity to give him a look.

Korchinski looked good in his first NHL game of the season. He had a scoring chance, moved his feet well, and made some good defensive plays. Unfortunately, he was on the ice for the Rangers’ short-handed goal that tied the game 1-1 to end the first period, but overall, there is not much to complain about. He had two shots on goal, one blocked shot, and one takeaway in almost 17 minutes of ice time.

I’m happy to see him back.

2. Taylor Hall’s Big Game

Taylor Hall had a game to remember. He had a great pass on Tyler Bertuzzi’s opening 1-0 goal in the first period, and then Connor Bedard fed Hall a pass for a 2-1 goal in the second period. S0, Hall had a two-point night.

Hall had only two multi-point games this season leading up to this one. His last multi-point game was his Thanksgiving-eve hat-trick game against the Dallas Stars.

It’s always good to see Hall get going because he is such an asset when he is on his game.

3. Blackhawks’ Great Effort Rewarded

This game felt like a free-for-all in spurts, with both teams getting chances, but the Blackhawks had a great effort. It wasn’t perfect, but it was what you would hope to see from them. They were battling, they were skating, they were winning board battles. They looked like an eager and confident team, and it was rewarded with a win.

It was an awesome showing for Anders Sorensen’s first win as an NHL head coach. They did everything he asked of them, including playing with more tempo, and they met the occasion.

4. Arvid Soderblom Tremendous in Win

Arvid Soderblom is filling in as the Blackhawks’ starter with Petr Mrazek on injured reserve with a groin injury. He has now played in back-to-back games and has looked good in both of them.

The Rangers challenged Soderblom a lot in this game, and he was as steady as could be. He also had some big saves, such as one against Artemi Panarin in the first period. He deserves a lot of praise because Madison Square Garden is a hard arena to play in, and even though the Rangers have been struggling, they are not an easy opponent.

Soderblom gave his team the confidence they needed to secure a win in New York.