Chicago native Hartman scores twice as Wild rock Blackhawks 5-1

Talk about a sick homecoming.

Feeling nothing like himself on Thursday, Minnesota Wild forward Ryan Hartman thought he might not be able to play against the Blackhawks at the United Center on Friday night.

The West Dundee native found a way, though - and made the Hawks and their fans ill in the process, scoring a pair of first-period goals during Minnesota's 5-1 blowout victory.

Hartman now needs 1 goal to tie his career high of 19, which he set as a rookie with the Hawks in 2016-17. His 32 points are a career high.

"Every 10 seconds, it felt like four minutes," said Hartman, who was able to eat just a little salad and some noodles a few hours before the game. "I was just kind of exhausted."

The Hawks were outplayed all night, blowing an early power-play chance and then sitting back on their heels as the Wild went up 3-0 after one period. Dylan Strome scored the Hawks' lone goal with 5:03 remaining.

"I didn't expect that," said interim coach Derek King. "I thought we'd come out jumping."

They didn't and the Wild (23-10-3) took full advantage.

After Marcus Foligno opened the scoring at 2:58, Hartman showed everyone why he's become such an offensive force this season.

His first goal came when he one-timed a gorgeous backhanded pass from Kirill Kaprizov at 4:07. The puck went through Jonathan Toews' legs and right to Hartman.

Thirteen minutes later, Hartman fired a half-slapper that slithered between Marc-Andre Fleury's right arm and his chest to make it 3-0.

Those were the first goals Hartman scored against the Hawks since they traded him to Nashville on February 26, 2018.

"You've got to credit a lot to my linemates," Hartman said. "Like the first goal today, it was a great pass by Kirill. The second one (Zuccarello), he's got eyes in the back of his head and he knew I was coming. They are some great passers."

Still, Minnesota goalie Kaapo Kahkonen knows there's a reason Hartman has 18 goals after 36 games.

"His shot in practice is one of the hardest to stop," Kahkonen said. "He's very smart placing the shot. ... (Like) the one through (Fleury's) arm. He puts it in spots where it's different. I don't know how to explain it."

Hartman's girlfriend, Lauren, was in a suite inside United Center with co-workers thanks to her boss, who bought the box. Hartman said his mom also secured a suite.

Hartman was concerned he had COVID on Thursday, but he tested negative and managed to play almost 20 minutes.

"He's having a great season," said Hawks D-man and buddy Connor Murphy. "Seemed like he always had that scoring touch, even when he was here with us. ... He's a great guy, so I guess you like to see people have success, (just) not against yourself."

The Hawks (15-19-6) took 27 shots on goal through two periods but not many tested Kahkonen. It was a rough showing for King's squad despite the return of Seth Jones, Kirby Dach and Strome.

"I don't think we were really ready to go," said Dach, who took 3 shots on goal in 17 minutes. "It's a good team over there. We got to find it tomorrow (at Minnesota) and be ready to play.

"We just need a better effort from everybody. It wasn't good enough at all."

King concurred and hopes the Hawks can turn things around in a hurry.

"They don't give you a lot of time and space," he said. "And we did the opposite down in our end - we gave them too much time, too much respect.

"The nice thing is we go back and play them again tomorrow, and hopefully we learn from our mistakes tonight and we'll see our outcome."