Blackhawks' Delia makes 30 saves in OT win over Avs

Rebound control.

It's a skill that goalies are always working on and - after much practice and repetition - some become quite proficient at it.

This subject arose after Collin Delia made a whopping 46 saves in the Blackhawks' 5-2 victory over Minnesota at the United Center on Thursday. Even after turning in a performance worthy of being named the game's No. 1 star, Delia nonetheless made a point to let reporters know that his rebound control needs to improve.

So, what, exactly does he expect out of himself?

"There's some times where you can't help rebounds," said Delia, who stopped 30 shots in a 3-2 overtime victory at Colorado on Saturday. "When the (shot) is just point-blank within 10 feet in front of the net, you're just trying to make a save. Those are the times where it's not as big of a priority.

"I'd say when the puck's like 15 feet (or more away), you really want to control that."

Skating 4-on-3 because of a double minor called on Gabriel Landeskog, the Hawks (15-20-6) beat the Avs when Patrick Kane scored his second goal of the game 41 seconds into OT. Alex DeBrincat also scored for the Hawks, and Dylan Strome added 2 assists.

Starting for a second straight game, Delia was sharp all night, but especially so in the first period when he turned away 15 shots. J.T. Compher was victimized the most as Delia fended off three high-quality chances from the 23-year-old Northbrook native.

Delia's rebound control certainly wasn't perfect as he was bailed out numerous times by alert teammates who cleared pucks out of dangerous areas. Yet, maybe that was the plan all along as Delia on Friday said the key is to make sure the puck isn't headed right toward a charging foe.

"(I want to send it) wherever there is no pressure, or wherever my teammates can recover the puck," Delia said. "Sometimes (the opponent) has two layers. So they have two guys driving and that high guy is looking for those rebounds.

"If you can push it past him, there's a better chance that your backcheckers are going to have an easier time covering the puck."

The Hawks controlled play for much of the first period and grabbed a 2-0 lead on goals by DeBrincat at 1:46 and Kane at 9:38. DeBrincat now has 18 goals on the season and 8 in his last 13 games. Kane, meanwhile, has 22 goals and 7 in his last five contests.

The Avs knotted the game at 2-2 on a power-play goal by Mikko Rantanen with 2:56 left in the first period and a Nathan MacKinnon tally in the second period that came thanks in part to a delayed penalty called on Brendan Perlini.

Delia is now 3-0-0 since being called up from Rockford and has stopped 111 of 116 shots for a .957 save percentage.

The Hawks play next at South Bend when they host Boston in the Winter Classic on Tuesday.