Instant Analysis of Blackhawks Shootout Loss to Minnesota

CHICAGO – It was the boys from the Boston Bruins trade back in June who got the Chicago Blackhawks on the board twice. It wouldn’t hold in the Blackhawks 3-2 shootout loss to the Minnesota Wild.

But it was good to see.

Nick Foligno buried a goal from the circle as the power play was dying while Taylor Hall deked Marc-Andre Fleury to tuck one in backhand.

Not bad of a showing for two guys dealt in what was considered more of a salary dump as the Bruins were trying to open up room to grab a couple free agents.

The goal was a pretty one–with Ryan Donato intercepting a pass, and then lunging to shovel the puck one-handed to a streaking Hall. Once he was in alone, the rest was history.

Foligno took a pass from Taylor Raddysh in the left circle, corralled it, and then roofed it past Fleury to even the score at one.

Korchinski makes a quick pass to Raddysh. Certainly some temptation to fire that shot as the power play is winding down. Instead, sends it to Raddysh who finds Foligno—who buries it to tie the game for the #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/YdlKwN7ItA

— Nate Brown (@NBrownChiHN) October 6, 2023

Not a bad showing, though it didn’t come out with the desired result, as the Blackhawks tune up for their regular season opener on Tuesday against Pittsburgh.

Reese Johnson with a Little Rock Em’ Sock ‘Em for the Blackhawks

First he threw a couple bone crunching hits in the late stages of the first period. Then he dropped the gloves with Connor Dewar in the second period. It was an eventful and physical game for Johnson, who sparred with Dewar and sent Jared Spurgeon out after blasting him against the boards.

Looking at replay, Jared Spurgeon indeed hasn’t played since the Reese Johnson check pic.twitter.com/bcssjzQosv

— Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) October 6, 2023

For one of many Blackhawks fighting for a roster spot, Johnson made his case loud and clear.

Arvid Soderblom Stands Tall Despite Shootout Loss

He was supposed to play the whole game and he certainly did–quite well. Playing against a Minnesota Wild playing a close rendition to its opening night lineup, Soderblom made a couple deft saves that kept Minnesota from scoring at will.

The start was shaky, a long shot credited to Marcus Foligno as it found its way through traffic and knuckled into the net. The other Foligno brother would answer, and then Hall would give Soderblom some insurance to work with.

Soderblom had an impressive kick save late in the second period that kept the game in the Blackhawks favor, demonstrating the athleticism that has him staying in Chicago.

His lateral movement was on display during a five-on-three penalty kill where a brief scoring chance low was snuffed out by a pad save. He didn’t have a much of a chance on the second goal which rattled in and out of the net pretty quickly.

Soderblom’s height certainly helps. But he played big all night long, with or without the frame and in spite of the loss.