The Chicago Blackhawks had a promising begin to their season however issues haven’t gone effectively recently.
The Blackhawks adopted up a 2-2-1 begin with 4 consecutive losses, together with a defeat to kick off a five-game highway journey on Saturday on Da;;as. That trek continues on Monday in Denver towards the Colorado Avalanche, who’ve received 5 in a row.
Chicago went right into a rebuild just a few years in the past and has not received 30 video games in every of the previous three full seasons. The Blackhawks have stocked younger expertise, led by 2023 high general choose Connor Bedard, however haven’t seen the outcomes on the ice.
“We won’t give attention to what is going on to occur; we have got to give attention to the method proper now. I am sick of dropping,” ahead Patrick Maroon instructed reporters after Chicago’s 4-2 loss in Dallas on Saturday.
Coach Luke Richardson has shuffled his traces nevertheless it hasn’t stopped the dropping streak. A silver lining from Saturday evening is the Blackhawks trimmed a three-goal deficit down to 1 earlier than the Stars scored an insurance coverage aim with 18 seconds to play.
It wasn’t a lot consolation for Bedard, nevertheless.
“We’re not simply going to be pleased that we stayed in a recreation,” he instructed reporters. “We’re all NHL gamers; that is not the aim. It is irritating. We’re what, (2-6-1)? That is fairly unhealthy. Dropping will not be enjoyable, so we have clearly received to determine it out.”
Colorado seemingly has figured issues out after beginning the season with 4 straight losses. A giant cause is the play of goaltender Justus Annunen, who was in web for Sunday evening’s 5-4 win over Ottawa.
Annunen has began the previous 4 video games and allowed simply 4 targets within the first three begins earlier than the Senators slipped 4 pucks by him within the closing 11:45 of the third interval.
Coach Jared Bednar publicly has stated that Alexandar Georgiev is the No. 1 goaltender, nevertheless Annunen has made a compelling case for extra taking part in time.
Georgiev probably will begin the second recreation of the back-to-back on Monday, and efficiency would make an intriguing state of affairs for the Avalanche. Georgiev has a 4.99 goals-against common in his 5 video games this season, effectively above his 2.89 profession common.
Bednar did not panic when his workforce misplaced 4 straight to begin the season, and he isn’t getting too complacent after 5 straight wins.
“We discovered numerous classes in these 4. It occurs on a regular basis. It is not unique to us,” he stated after Sunday’s win. “While you’re dropping, then you definitely really feel such as you’re not taking part in effectively, and also you begin digging in to begin taking part in higher, and it is the eye to element and the buy-in, the dedication that it takes to win, simply doing every part more durable and cleaner.
“You are digging into each facet of your recreation. So while you develop these habits, and it comes round for you, it offers them confidence again and it tends to go that means.”
–Subject Stage Media
