Blackhawks Fall in Home Finale 4-2, Lock Up 2nd Best Lottery Odds

CHICAGO – The Blackhawks and their crowd got an early buzz when Frank Nazar scored his first career goal on the first shot of the game. The buzz returned on Andreas Athanasiou’s second goal of the season. But it left the building in the home finale following Seth Jarvis’ marker late in third. The Hurricanes were victorious, handing Chicago its fourth straight loss and closing out the home slate of games as it started with a defeat.

The Blackhawks took the 1-0 lead on Nazar’s goal, which was created after a nice pass from Seth Jones sprung him loose. The Hurricanes couldn’t catch him and the former Michigan Wolverine had his first goal in a Chicago Blackhawks sweater. Carolina would even things up at one, but Athanasiou would score early in the third, notching his second of the season. But the Hurricanes would not only tie it again, but finish it off on Seth Jarvis’ 33rd of the season, a tally off a rebound that had nothing but a yawning net in front of him.

Chicago lost its debut game at the United Center 5-3 and closed the season with a 4-2 defeat. But if there were ever a positive sign ending the 41-game campaign at the United Center, it was seeing a collection of young talent finishing off that home campaign.

Blackhawks Lottery Odds Secured in Loss

The loss secured the Blackhawks lottery odds being at 13.5%, the second best only to San Jose’s 25% clip. It also means they can’t fall further than fifth in the draft should a team leapfrog into the top three.

It’s not what they want but it will give them another strong prospect to add to an already chock full pipeline of talent–especially on the blue line. They potentially already have three young and very impressive young players with more to follow. Though head coach Luke Richardson said Ethan Del Mastro will return to Rockford to gear up for the upcoming playoff run for the IceHogs, he looked and played confident.

Imagine if they add one more big piece by way of defense in a draft loaded with defensemen.

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