The Chicago Blackhawks headed into Thursday night time’s (Oct. 7) contest in opposition to the Dallas Stars coming off a disappointing 4-1 loss to the Detroit Purple Wings the night time earlier than. A win on the United Heart Wednesday night time would have given the Blackhawks an elusive three-game profitable streak, one thing they haven’t pulled off since February of 2023. However alas, it was to not be.
Their luck didn’t change in opposition to the Stars both, as they ultimately fell 3-1 within the recreation. Let’s try the highlights.
Huge Adjustments to Ahead Traces & Defensive Pairings
After a giant loss, head coach Luke Richardson made some huge adjustments to the Blackhawks’ ahead strains and defensive pairing for this recreation. Solely Connor Bedard (1st line), Tyler Bertuzzi (2nd line), Jason Dickinson (3rd line) and Craig Smith (4th line) remained the identical from the previous couple of video games. Notable adjustments had been Taylor Corridor and Lukas Reichel on the highest line with Bedard. Philipp Kurashev went again to second line heart, alongside Teuvo Teravainen (who beforehand was on the third line).
However wait, there’s extra! Patrick Maroon was scratched for the second time this season, and Joey Anderson drew in for the first time since Oct 17. Lastly T.J. Brodie drew again in on protection (after three video games out), whereas Isaak Phillips sat out.
I can’t say any of those adjustments actually made a distinction on this recreation, however maybe it can transferring ahead.
Arvid Soderblom began in internet, as anticipated on, the 2nd half of a back-to-back.
First Interval Goes to the Stars
The Blackhawks received off to a different sluggish begin, down 7-1 in photographs by means of the primary 10 minutes of the sport. On the finish of the interval, photographs had been 16-5 for Dallas. Predictably, the Stars drew first blood with a aim from Sam Metal. Connor Murphy was a little bit of a display screen on the shot, nevertheless it was nonetheless a aim Soderblom will in all probability need again.
Nonetheless, Soderblom bounced again, stopping 15-of-16 photographs within the first body. The Blackhawks merely seemed overpowered by a superior group. Bedard has a candy breakaway probability, nevertheless it was damaged up earlier than he may get a shot off.
Second Body Higher for the Blackhawks
The Blackhawks picked up their play within the second interval, particularly on an influence play late within the interval, nevertheless it nonetheless wasn’t sufficient. Photographs had been 10-9 for the Stars, so it was a bit extra even on that entrance. However Dallas scored once more, courtesy of Tyler Seguin, and the Blackhawks weren’t capable of reply again.
At one level, Bedard confirmed his frustration by kicking his opponent’s stick and getting an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.
Connor Bedard’s frustration mounts as he is penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct for kicking away his opponent’s stick. #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/9VI6h2wqLt
— Charlie Roumeliotis (@CRoumeliotis) November 8, 2024
Moreover three assists in opposition to the Anaheim Geese on Nov. 3, Bedard hadn’t registered some extent within the final six video games.
Third Body Seals the Deal for the Stars
Cease the presses! The third interval commenced, and Tyler Bertuzzi scored on the facility play to make it 2-1. With the first help, Bedard remedied his point-less skid.
What a cross by Ryan Donato, who provides it over to Connor Bedard, who connects with Tyler Bertuzzi on the facility play for his third aim in 5 video games. #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/Sbl9PV82DD
— Charlie Roumeliotis (@CRoumeliotis) November 8, 2024
However that was the very best the Blackhawks may do. They gave up an empty internet aim late within the third, to formally lose 3-1. Remaining photographs on aim had been 40-26 for the Stars; not even shut. This was a tricky recreation to evaluate the Blackhawks’ progress, as a result of the Stars are an excellent group.
Soderblom ended the night time with a .949 save proportion, stopping 37-of-39 photographs. One other robust efficiency from the 25-year-old.
Associated – 4 Observations From the Blackhawks October Outcomes
The Blackhawks formally fall to 5-9-1, with their subsequent contest in opposition to their division rival Minnesota Wild on Sunday, Nov. 10.
