Blackhawks Game #53: Avoiding The 7th Circle of Losing Streak Hell

The Chicago Blackhawks (14-35-3) take on the Vancouver Canucks (35-12-6) tonight at the United Center. Puck drop is at 7:30pm.

Previously on Blackhawks Hockey:

Leave it to the Hawks to rally from a two-goal deficit late to lose in overtime on what very likely could have been a penalty called on New York. Instead, the Rangers escaped the United Center with a win intact, sending the Blackhawks to a season-long sixth straight loss.

How to Watch and Listen

TV: NBC Sports Chicago
Radio: WGN 720

Scouting the Opponent and Miscellaneous Musings

The fight of it is what matters but what has become a tired argument that the Blackhawks players want no part of, forget the moral victories. In spite of getting that point out of the overtime loss, Chicago has struggled to score goals consistently and in the one time they muster three, they still lose.

Now the Vancouver Canucks come in, losing just once in regulation over its last ten games. They’ve already beaten the Hawks twice this season, and are looking to round out the season sweep tonight.

With 30 games left in the season, the season has to be measured game-by-game instead of as another “here-we-go-again” mentality.

Approaching the three quarters mark of the season, it now becomes a race to which current roster players remain on the squad next season. Guys like Taylor Raddysh, who has arbitration rights but has seen his numbers tumble this season. What about Colin Blackwell, who gives every bit of physicality and intenstity he can on shifts–but the numbers wouldn’t compete with guys who arrive with goal scoring prowess.

Then there’s Lukas Reichel, who has confounded himself, the staff, and the fanbase with his struggles. Just three goals and nine points as he approaches his 50th game of the season–the three he missed were all healthy scratches.

The season is another rebuild washout, one designed to lose so they can get a crack at another tremendous player who will set the team up for sustained success for years to come.

Each game still counts–but it’s more of the individual impact that will affect careers and roster construction for 2024-25.

So that seventh circle of hell in terms of losing streak awaits. Even if they’re pulled into it tonight, it’s the long view that will keep them from being affected too long by it.