Blackhawks Gameday #30: Treading Water

The Chicago Blackhawks (9-19-1) are on a three-game slide and looking to improve things at home. They will faceoff at 2pm today against the Vancouver Canucks (20-9-2) with a team all but limping into the game due to injury.

Previously on Blackhawks Hockey:

It was an ugly one for those who stayed up Thursday night to witness a 7-1 beating at the hands of the Seattle Kraken. Need more be said?

And now, a bit (more) on the Canucks

Take your pick of experts prior to the season and few–if any–had the Canucks doing what they’re doing right now. With Elias Pettersson and Quinn Hughes as a foundational core, winning is definitely something that needs to happen. But the Canucks have overshot early expectations–even with those two–and sit second in the Pacific with the most goals scored in the league.

How to Watch and Listen

TV: NBC Sports Chicago
Radio: WGN 720

Miscellaneous Musings and Final Verdict

If they can keep it close, they can likely pull one out. The problem is that Chicago is literally on fumes with a gauntlet ahead of them in terms of teams they have on the schedule. This afternoon sees the Vancouver Canucks, Tuesday is against the Colorado Avalanche, and then Friday brings in a bit of relief with the Montreal Canadiens (thought they lost to them back in October with a far healthier roster).

It’s not encouraging worst case thinking at all-the Blackhawks sit pretty in terms of lottery standing now anyway. But it’s not easy to go into a game–be it a player, fan or coach–and know that the odds are heavy against you.

But this is the state of things right now–making for what will be some tough games to watch. Chicago has been better at home as of late, going 2-1 and 2-1-1 in their last couple consecutive stays at the United Center.

Let’s see what this afternoon brings.

Stats and Stuff

Team Goals, Assists, and Points Leader: Connor Bedard (12-12-24)
Blackhawks in their last ten games: 3-6-1
One Goal Games: 2 (Both wins)