Instant Analysis: Blackhawks Drop Seventh Straight in 4-2 Loss

CHICAGO – As has been the running theme for the Chicago Blackhawks, they’ve been so close and yet so far against the league’s best. The Vancouver Canucks beat the Hawks Tuesday night, quickly erasing any momentum the Blackhawks had after they pulled within a goal in the second period.

Colin Blackwell’s shot banged off the crossbar, the Canucks corralled it, and scored seconds later, restoring their two-goal lead and eventually sending the Hawks to their seventh straight defeat by a 4-2 margin.

It was a tough first period as the Hawks were outshot 12-1, and their powerplay that crept a minute into the second period, but produced a couple shots on net but nothing more. The Canucks goal game on a two-on-one that saw the Hawks flatfooted and the Canucks more than happy to oblige with a couple quick passes that ended with a tap in.

Vancouver potted its second on a Conor Garland goal that redirected and breezed past Petr Mrazek who was out of the paint, giving the Canucks a 2-0 lead.

Blackhawks Fight Through Frustrating Effort But Fall Short Again

For the Blackhawks, it was another series of frustrating events as they could barely muster a shot on goal until the final minute of the first period. The United Center crowd sarcastically cheered and then once more when it looked like a second shot on goal was registered.

The latter would be taken off the board, which seemed almost cruel for a team that has struggled to not only bury goals but even generate pucks on net.

The Blackhawks finally got a goal on a great individual effort by Nick Foligno, who kept the play alive by corraling the puck out of the air on an attempted clear. Foligno was able to take the puck low, pass to Philipp Kurashev who found Tyler Johnson in the slot. Johnson ripped a shot past Thatcher Demko and the Hawks were on the board.

I’m going to write on this later but a great individual effort by Nick Foligno makes this goal happen. A little chaos with him keeping the play alive went a long way. pic.twitter.com/c3TpmyEm3Y

— Nate Brown (@NBrownChiHN) February 14, 2024

But the Canucks answered back nearly 90 seconds later, just moments after the Hawks saw the tying goal ring off the crossbar. Dakota Joshua would notch Vancouver’s fourth goal, giving them a three goal cushion and sending some Blackhawks fans to the exits earlier than planned.

Kevin Korchinski buried his third of the season on a feed from Ryan Donato that pulled the Blackhawks to within two late.

Follow Chicago Hockey Now on Facebook and Twitter

Follow Nate on Twitter