Oct 26, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Seth Jones (4) in motion throughout the recreation between the Dallas Stars and the Chicago Blackhawks at American Airways Middle. 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 highway journey on Saturday on Da;;as. That trek continues on Monday in Denver in opposition to the Colorado Avalanche, who’ve gained 5 in a row.
Chicago went right into a rebuild just a few years in the past and has not gained 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 deal with what is going on to occur; we have to deal with 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 aim with 18 seconds to play.
It wasn’t a lot consolation for Bedard, nonetheless.
“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 acquired to determine it out.”
Colorado seemingly has figured issues out after beginning the season with 4 straight losses. An enormous 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, nonetheless Annunen has made a compelling case for extra taking part in time.
Georgiev doubtless will begin the second recreation of the back-to-back on Monday, and an excellent 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, properly above his 2.89 profession common.
Bednar did not panic when his group misplaced 4 straight to start out the season, and he isn’t getting too complacent after 5 straight wins.
“We realized plenty of 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 shedding, you then really feel such as you’re not taking part in properly, and also you begin digging in to start out 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 little thing tougher and cleaner.
“You are digging into each facet of your recreation. So whenever you develop these habits, and it comes round for you, it provides them confidence again and it tends to go that manner.”
–Discipline Degree Media