Since it’s the offseason and the dog days of summer, I felt like it was a nice time to begin a “historical project” and start researching archives to try to decide the Top 25 goals in the history of the Chicago Blackhawks. With a history that goes back to 1926, narrowing down the best goals in this franchise’s 89 year history is a huge challenge. This list will be entirely subjective from my personal memories of the best goals from the Renaissance era (’09-’15), my research back to old classic Blackhawks seasons from the 90s, and the Original Six era as well. The majority of my choices come from the last six seasons. Three Stanley Cup titles brought A LOT of big goals. The list is based off of importance of the goal in the moment, not necessarily skill. If it was based on skill the entire top 5 might be Patrick Kane shootout goals. Almost the entire list is from the Stanley Cup Playoffs, naturally. Over the next 25 days we’ll be releasing our countdown day-by-day of our Top 25 goals in Chicago Blackhawks history. We hope that you enjoy the memories!

To start things off, here are some honorable mentions that just missed the cut for our Top 25 list:

  • 2014 Michael Handzus OT Winner Game 5 vs. Los Angeles

Possibly the most unexpected goal in Blackhawks playoff history? Easily the biggest unsung hero goal of the Renaissance Era. Down 3-1 in the Western Conference Finals, veteran Michael Handzus came through in a frantic back and forth overtime period to send the series back to Los Angeles. The defending champion Hawks eventually lost the series in overtime in Game 7.

  • 2010 Dustin Byfuglien Third Period Goal Game 4 vs. San Jose

Up 3-0 in the Western Conference Finals, the Blackhawks had a chance to go to their first Stanley Cup Final since 1992. With a late power play, the red-hot Dustin Byfuglien scored with roughly six minutes left in the third period to put the Hawks up 3-2. The team hung on to win the game, sweep the top-seeded Sharks, and advance to the Stanley Cup Final.

  • 2009 Martin Havlat OT Winner Game 1 vs. Calgary

It only took 11 seconds. Right off the draw in overtime Game 1 of the first round vs. Calgary, Martin Havlat scored the overtime winner from the slot to win the game and give the Blackhawks a 1-0 series lead. This goal, even though it is was a first round game, holds a lot of significance to me because it was the first sudden death overtime goal that the Blackhawks scored in over ten years. The first positive moment of the renaissance Era that showed the potential this team would have for years to come.

  • 1996 Sergei Krivokrasov OT Winner Game 4 vs. Colorado

One of the most unknown Blackhawks overtime heroes, Sergei Krivokrasov became an unsung hero with a lucky bounce in Game 4 of the conference semis vs. Colorado. Eric Daze made a steal in the neutral zone (Imagine that) and made a nice feed to a streaking Krivokrasov whose shot deflected off a defender’s stick and fluttered over Patrick Roy’s shoulder and into the net. One of the first OT thrillers in the United Center’s young history.

  • 1990 Steve Larmer Shorthanded Goal Game 7 vs. St. Louis

“LAAARMERRRRRR!!!” Retire number 28. Pronto.