The Chicago Blackhawks wasted a huge opportunity last night against the Detroit Red Wings. After taking a 1-0 lead into the first intermission (knowing that the Carolina Hurricanes held a lead over the Nashville Predators at the same time), things were looking up for the Blackhawks. Then it all came crashing down in the second period. Chicago allowed four unanswered goals over the next 40 minutes and the Red Wings took a 4-1 win whilst the Hurricanes topped the Predators. A perfect chance for the Blackhawks to gain ground in the Division, wasted.
• Nothing changes in the standings. Chicago and Nashville are still four points apart in the Divisional playoff race, but with a win over the Blue Jackets last night, the Dallas Stars inch closer to the Blackhawks, now just one point behind them.
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Last night was not a good night for the Chicago Blackhawks and they didn’t even play a game. The Central Division playoff race is the focus for Chicago in the here and now, but they aren’t getting much help from the other teams in the Division.
The Nashville Predators re-gained their four-point lead over the Blackhawks with a staggering 7-2 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Dallas Stars closed the gap between them and Chicago by getting to overtime against the Florida Panthers. Chicago is in fifth-place in the Division, four points behind Nashville and now just three points clear of the Stars, with the Blackhawks having played two more games than Dallas at this point.
The Chicago Blackhawks played 20 good minutes of hockey least night. That’s not going to get it done. We’re 41 games into the season, and at this point, partial efforts are no longer acceptable if you are trying to convince us that the Blackhawks are a playoff contender. The light is fading and the potential for lottery ball to be in Chicago’s future is becoming more and more of a reality.
• Chicago dropped a 5-1 loss to the Dallas Stars last night. They held a 1-1 tie after the first period, but allowed four unanswered goals in the second and third period to pound the hammer on the nail in the coffin once more. It’s not all the way nailed shut, but it’s getting down there.
The Chicago Blackhawks enter the day on the outside lookin in at the Central Division playoff picture, two points behind the Nashville Predators for fourth-place in the Division and the final playoff spot. That could all change by the end of the night if the Blackhawks are able to top the Dallas Stars and the Predators fall to the Detroit Red Wings. But given the way all four teams have been playing, I’m not holding my breath.
• The Blackhawks have played the Dallas Stars the least amount of games this season, with a 3-1-0 record in their four meetings. They have the second-best points percentage against the Stars (.750) the season of any of their Central Division foes, behind only the Red Wings (.833). Funnily enough, the Blackhawks have been outscored by the Stars 10-9 in their four meetings this season.
I Don t Love That Kirby Dach Is Playing Through Pain, But Let s Just Keep an Eye On It For Now
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I Don’t Love That Kirby Dach Is Playing Through Pain, But Let’s Just Keep an Eye On It For Now
When Kirby Dach made an ahead-of-schedule return to the Blackhawks this season, there was much rejoicing. And rightfully so. Dach appeared to be playing pretty close to 100%, and was going to be a big help for a team on the outer edge of the playoff picture. But while we were right to be excited about an early return to the lineup, it is a bit concerning to hear how much Dach is apparently still playing through as he prepares for his sixth game of the season tomorrow against the Dallas Stars.