Oct 26, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Seth Jones (4) in motion through the sport between the Dallas Stars and the Chicago Blackhawks at American Airways Heart. Obligatory Credit score: Jerome Miron-Imagn Photographs The Chicago Blackhawks had a promising begin to their season however issues haven’t gone properly recently.
The Blackhawks adopted up a 2-2-1 begin with 4 consecutive losses, together with a defeat to kick off a five-game street 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 a number of 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 total choose Connor Bedard, however haven’t seen the outcomes on the ice.
“We won’t concentrate on what is going on to occur; we have got to concentrate on the method proper now. I am sick of shedding,” 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 shedding streak. A silver lining from Saturday night time is the Blackhawks trimmed a three-goal deficit down to 1 earlier than the Stars scored an insurance coverage purpose with 18 seconds to play.
It wasn’t a lot consolation for Bedard, nevertheless.
“We’re not simply going to be comfortable that we stayed in a sport,” he instructed reporters. “We’re all NHL gamers; that is not the purpose. It is irritating. We’re what, (2-6-1)? That is fairly unhealthy. Dropping just isn’t 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 motive is the play of goaltender Justus Annunen, who was in web for Sunday night time’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 remaining 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 added enjoying time.
Georgiev possible will begin the second sport of the back-to-back on Monday, and a very good efficiency would make an intriguing scenario for the Avalanche. Georgiev has a 4.99 goals-against common in his 5 video games this season, properly above his 2.89 profession common.
Bednar did not panic when his group misplaced 4 straight to start out the season, and he is not getting too complacent after 5 straight wins.
“We discovered a variety of classes in these 4. It occurs on a regular basis. It is not unique to us,” he stated after Sunday’s win. “Once you’re shedding, then you definitely really feel such as you’re not enjoying properly, and also you begin digging in to start out enjoying 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 side of your sport. So if you develop these habits, and it comes round for you, it offers them confidence again and it tends to go that manner.”
–Area Stage Media
