4 Thoughts From Blackhawks Spooky 3-2 Loss To Sharks

The Chicago Blackhawks had some tricks up their sleeve as they faced the San Jose Sharks on Halloween. These are two teams in the bottom four of the NHL standings, but they are coming off big wins. The Blackhawks recently defeated the Colorado Avalanche, and the Sharks, after starting the season with a nine-game losing streak, came into this matchup with a two-game win streak.

Unfortunately, the Blackhawks faced the Sharks twice already this season, and both times were without 2024 first-overall pick Macklin Celebrini (lower-body injury), so hopes of seeing a Connor Bedard and Celebrini showdown will have to wait until March. But the show went on as the Blackhawks were looking for their first two-game win streak of the season that fell short. Here are 4 thoughts from Chicago’s 3-2 loss to the Sharks.

1. Donato Strikes Again for the Blackhawks

We can’t not talk about Ryan Donato again. The Blackhawks were off to a sluggish start against the Sharks and ultimately let up the first goal to Sharks’ rookie Will Smith (his first NHL goal), which seemed like a Halloween nightmare the Blackhawks hoped wouldn’t spiral the rest of the game, but then came Donato, right on cue.

He scored to tie the game 1-1 in the first period and gave the Blackhawks life after that, as Tyler Bertuzzi scored a minute later to put the team up 2-1. Donato continues to do the little things: shooting the puck, hits, and the puck luck is going his way as he is on a three-game goal streak (4 goals in that timespan). He still leads the team in goals (6). Connor Bedard is second on the team with three. He’s the guy the Blackhawks want and need on the ice when they are down a goal or need a goal, in general.

2. The Second Period Woes Strikes Again

The second period for the Blackhawks was disappointing because they could have built off their lead, and the second period ended with a 3-2 Sharks lead thanks to Will Smith’s power-play goal, his second goal of the game, and a trickle-in goal by Alexander Wennberg. That’s two games in a row where the second period left a lot to be desired for the Blackhawks, which wasn’t ideal.

3. Blackhawks Frustrating Loss

The 3-2 loss was frustrating on two fronts. It was frustrating because they made a strong push in the third period where the Sharks just survived. Seth Jones had five shots on goal at one point during the period, too. So you can say the effort was there at the end, but the puck luck wasn’t on their side.

On the other hand, captain Nick Foligno (it was his birthday, by the way!) mentioned before the game that he’s making sure they aren’t okay with moral victories. Considering they just beat the Avalanche and even the Edmonton Oilers a few games ago, it did seem like this Sharks game was one they should have had, and surely this one will sting.

4. A Spooky Redemption for Taylor Hall

Sean McIndoe of The Athletic recently published an article about NHL players off to scary slow starts, and Taylor Hall made the list, as he went into the game only having three points. He has still been a second-line staple and is fourth on the team in shots on goal (26). Hall was on a three-game point drought but got back on the score sheet against San Jose with an assist on Bertuzzi’s goal. Maybe he hasn’t had the start he envisioned for this season, but it did seem like a matter of time before the points started coming. Hopefully, the goals will soon follow.

Honorable mention for Bertuzzi, too, because he was off to a slow start, himself. The Blackhawks want nothing more than to get those two going.

For more Blackhawks News from Jim Lynch and Brooke LoFurno, visit Chicago Hockey Now, subscribe to our YouTube and like our Facebook page.

Follow us on 𝕏:

@CHIHockeyNow, @JimRLynch, @brooke_lofo