Introduction to the Game
The Blackhawks enjoyed ample possession time Monday against the Kraken, but they weren’t able to translate it into much in a 3-1 loss.
First Period Analysis
Two Kraken goals early in the second period proved too much to overcome, even after Connor Bedard extended his point streak to five consecutive games with a hard-working assist to Andre Burakovsky that temporarily cut the deficit to 2-1 with 8:27 left in regulation.
Player Insights
“The last couple games, we’ve come out a little slow, trying to see how they’re playing,” Burakovsky said. “I think we’re way too good of a team to do that. We need to take command and set the tone ourselves.”
Current Standing and Performance
The Hawks have now dropped the first three games on their six-game road trip and four of their last five overall, falling to 5-5-3 on the season.
Statistical Analysis
They attempted 65 shots to the Kraken’s 45 and also generated a 36-22 advantage in scoring chances — their best showing of the season in that category — but many of their good looks either missed the net or got blocked.
Goalie Performance
Kraken goalie Joey Daccord also continues to have their number; he’s now 5-1-0 with a.937 save percentage in his career against the Hawks.
Coach’s Perspective
"[When] both teams are clogging that up, it makes it hard,” coach Jeff Blashill said. “Games are hard, man. It’s not going to be a lot of free-flowing [hockey]. You’ve got to really earn your offense. Sometimes you need some ugly ones, and we just didn’t get quite enough pucks through.”
Player Performance Review
Frank Nazar, who played very well Saturday in Edmonton but wasn’t rewarded with any points, endured probably his worst performance of the season Monday, culminating in a backbreaking neutral-zone turnover that led to the Kraken’s third goal.
Coach’s Comments on Player Performance
“There’s a lot of burden on [Frank’s] shoulders for a guy that hasn’t played a lot,” Blashill added. “For us to expect him to be on top of his game every single night is probably not realistic.
“It’s the same with a lot of our guys: there’s going to be ups and downs. We’ve just got to collectively make sure we have more ups than downs. Tonight, it was too spread throughout the team; we didn’t have enough guys who had their A-game.”
New Player Debut
Oliver Moore played a healthy 16:29 on the third line with Ryan Donato and Ilya Mikheyev in his NHL season debut, and his speed and work ethic were both noticeable.
Conclusion
The Blackhawks’ struggle to hit the net and capitalize on their scoring chances led to their loss against the Kraken. Despite having ample possession time and outshooting their opponents, they were unable to overcome the early deficit. The team’s performance highlights the need for consistency and the importance of taking command from the start of the game.
FAQs
Q: What was the final score of the game between the Blackhawks and the Kraken?
A: The final score was 3-1 in favor of the Kraken.
Q: Who extended his point streak to five consecutive games?
A: Connor Bedard extended his point streak to five consecutive games with an assist to Andre Burakovsky.
Q: How did Oliver Moore perform in his NHL season debut?
A: Oliver Moore played a healthy 16:29 on the third line and his speed and work ethic were both noticeable.
