Introduction to the Game
National TV audiences have now watched the Blackhawks hammer the Blues twice this season. Seven different players scored on struggling Blues goalie Jordan Binnington on Wednesday as the Hawks cruised to a 7-3 home win, their fourth in a row. Six of those seven players entered the day with fewer than five goals to their name this season, so it was quite a masterclass in depth scoring.
Depth Scoring and Team Performance
“If we can get everybody involved [and] everybody pulling their weight, it just makes it a little bit easier on everybody instead of always turning to the same few guys to put the puck in the net,” said Jason Dickinson, one of those depth scorers. "[Tyler Bertuzzi has] been on fire for us this year, but we don’t need him to score if everybody else is pulling their weight.” This approach has been key to the Hawks’ recent success, showcasing their ability to adapt and evolve as a team.
Previous Matchups and Upcoming Games
Back in October, TNT aired the Hawks’ 8-3 shellacking of the Blues’ other goalie, Joel Hofer, in a game that shone an early spotlight on the Hawks’ improvements this season. The only Hawks-Blues matchup TNT hasn’t aired was the Dec. 12 game — a 3-2 Blues win — in which Connor Bedard was injured. The two rivals are scheduled to meet once more: April 11 at the United Center in the third-to-last game of the season.
Goaltending Weakness and Its Impact
Binnington’s selection to Team Canada’s Olympic roster despite his poor results this season highlights what a weakness goaltending could be for the tournament favorites, and his stats only worsened Wednesday. His save percentage now sits at a dismal.871. Defenseman Connor Murphy’s first goal of the season halfway through the second period probably should’ve been saved, for example. Instead, it trickled into the net and ended up opening the floodgates for the Hawks, who scored five goals in 24 minutes to break open what was briefly a 2-2 game.
Emerging Players and Coaching Insights
Rookie forward Oliver Moore continued his recent surge at center with another excellent performance, and he was rewarded with his third career multi-point game. "[Oliver] and I talked on the bench today: ‘It’s not about mistakes. Everybody makes mistakes, but it’s [about] growing from those mistakes,’” coach Jeff Blashill said. “As you feel that confidence, and you grow and learn from your mistakes and keep getting better and better, he’s got a really good skill set, and I think that shows.” This emphasis on growth and learning from mistakes underscores the team’s commitment to development and improvement.
Current Standing and Future Prospects
The Hawks’ 2026 surge has pushed them back to “hockey.500" at 18-18-7. They’re three points out of a wild-card spot. This recent streak of wins, including the significant victory over the Blues, positions the Hawks for a potential playoff run, depending on how the rest of the season unfolds.
Conclusion
The Blackhawks’ convincing win over the Blues, marked by a notable display of depth scoring and capitalized on the opponent’s goaltending weakness, extends their winning streak and brings them closer to a wild-card spot. As the season progresses, the team’s ability to adapt, grow from mistakes, and capitalize on opportunities will be crucial in determining their playoff prospects.
FAQs
- Q: What was the score of the Blackhawks’ game against the Blues?
- A: The Blackhawks won 7-3 against the Blues.
- Q: How many different players scored for the Blackhawks in this game?
- A: Seven different players scored for the Blackhawks.
- Q: What is Jordan Binnington’s current save percentage?
- A: Jordan Binnington’s save percentage now sits at a dismal.871.
- Q: When is the next scheduled matchup between the Hawks and the Blues?
- A: The two rivals are scheduled to meet once more on April 11 at the United Center.
- Q: What is the Blackhawks’ current standing in the season?
- A: The Hawks are at 18-18-7, three points out of a wild-card spot.
