Blackhawks Game #39: Losses and Gains

The Chicago Blackhawks (11-25-2) will finish off its road trip by taking on the New Jersey Devils (20-14-2) tonight at 6pm.

Previously on Blackhawks Hockey:

The Blackhawks saw their losing streak extend to four after a 4-1 loss to the New York Rangers. The lone goal came from Colin Blackwell.

How to Watch and Listen

TV: NBC Sports Chicago
Radio: WGN 720

Scouting the Opponent and Miscellaneous Musings

The Devils come in winners of their last game but the last time they faced off, the Devils skated away with a 4-2 victory at the United Center. Since then, the Blackhawks are 7-18-2 while New Jersey is 13-11-1 since that game. Both have slipped in the standings–but Chicago has the steeper fall.

It’s a brutal stretch for Chicago, one that has seen them outscored 15-2 in its last three games, including the 8-1 drubbing at the hands of Dallas on New Year’s Eve. As written in yesterday’s wrap, things won’t get much easier until the Blackhawks host the San Jose Sharks in two weeks, a battle for the top spot in the lottery odds.

The Blackhawks scoring is what has suffered most with the onset of injuries, though Jaycob Megda notched his first assist of the season–and a Blackhawk, when he started the rush that led to the lone goal. For as brilliant as Petr Mrazek has been, even he can’t save Chicago when they’re only able to push one goal across the line.

Since scoring four goals in the loss to Dallas on December 29th, they’ve lost Tyler Johnson and Anthony Beauvillier, forcing head coach Luke Richardson to play the role of magician in finding line combinations that can squeeze more goals out of a depleted lineup.

But it’s the usual back and forth now in a rebuilding team’s fanbase that might have the greater fight in it. On one side, there are those frustrated by the losing and wanting to see improvement be it a free agent signing or a trade for better players. Then there’s the other side, who are in agreement with Kyle Davidson’s plan and believe that while the losses are often brutal, it’s going to pay off with a contender built right.

However it’s viewed, the losses can wear on the most loyal fan. It’s no picnic for the players either. But even while patience runs thin at times, the 2024 NHL Draft Lottery stands as the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

Even though the storm cloud of losses will continue to hang overhead for several more months.