{"id":36775,"date":"2026-02-04T22:03:28","date_gmt":"2026-02-05T04:03:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/citystuff.com\/chicago\/2026\/02\/04\/blackhawks-look-resigned-to-defeat-get-exactly-that-against-blue-jackets\/"},"modified":"2026-02-04T22:03:29","modified_gmt":"2026-02-05T04:03:29","slug":"blackhawks-look-resigned-to-defeat-get-exactly-that-against-blue-jackets","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/citystuff.com\/chicago\/2026\/02\/04\/blackhawks-look-resigned-to-defeat-get-exactly-that-against-blue-jackets\/","title":{"rendered":"Blackhawks look resigned to defeat, get exactly that against Blue Jackets"},"content":{"rendered":"

Introduction to the Game<\/h2>\n

COLUMBUS, Ohio \u2014 Jeff Blashill warned the Blackhawks to not mentally go on break prematurely Wednesday, but it felt like they did exactly that.<\/p>\n

The Consequences of Injuries<\/h2>\n

With injuries to Wyatt Kaiser and Colton Dach hanging over the group, the Hawks let themselves become resigned to defeat in an eventual 4-0 loss to the Blue Jackets. It marked their fourth shutout loss of the season and their sixth loss in their last seven games.<\/p>\n

Coach’s Perspective<\/h3>\n

\u201cThere was a level of urgency and alertness that we didn\u2019t have that we need to have,\u201d Blashill said. \u201cEvery game matters, man. There [were]…too many guys that didn\u2019t have their urgency level. You\u2019re not always going to feel your best, but you\u2019ve got to have the urgency level.
\n\u201cI can\u2019t say that\u2019s happened very often with this team, to be honest with you. It wasn\u2019t like we didn\u2019t work; I\u2019m not saying that. But that little level of extra urgency to make sure that you\u2019re either corralling a pass, handling a pass, driving the net or winning a battle, those things weren\u2019t quite there.\u201d<\/p>\n

Injuries to Key Players<\/h2>\n

Kaiser was defending a rush seven minutes into the first period when Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski fell on his left leg after getting hit by Sam Rinzel. He needed help getting to the locker room, putting little weight on that leg. Blashill said Kaiser will \u201cbe out for a little bit,\u201d although with the Hawks\u2019 next game more than three weeks away, the timing might work out favorably. More tests Thursday will determine the exact severity of the injury.<\/p>\n

Additional Injury Concerns<\/h3>\n

Dach left the game after getting tied up with Jackets defenseman Erik Gudbranson along the boards early in the second period. Blashill described his injury as minor. It seems unlikely to affect his availability after the break.<\/p>\n

Performance on the Ice<\/h2>\n

Meanwhile, Hawks forward Ryan Donato, coming off his best game of the season Monday, went for an inexplicably poorly timed line change out of frustration just before the Jackets\u2019 second goal, then failed to control a Nick Foligno pass before the Jackets\u2019 third goal.<\/p>\n

The Opponent’s Dominance<\/h2>\n

The Jackets, who have won 10 of 11 since firing coach Dean Evason and hiring Rick Bowness on Jan. 12, didn\u2019t let much happen in either direction after claiming that lead. They also continued a dominant run over the Hawks, having outscored them 35-12 with an undefeated record in the last seven meetings.<\/p>\n

Player Reflections<\/h3>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s the way it works: You get injuries in games, and you\u2019ve got to play short-handed, and I just don\u2019t think we played smart enough to handle those right,\u201d Foligno said. \u201cWe\u2019ve got to…be more assertive as forwards and get pucks in their end and wear them down so our \u2018D\u2019 aren\u2019t feeling under pressure. We just didn\u2019t do that enough.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dependence on Key Players<\/h2>\n

On nights like Wednesday, the Hawks desperately need Connor Bedard to take over and cover up their weaknesses, and he wasn\u2019t able to do so. Bedard attempted seven shots, but only one made it on net, and he committed some puck-management mistakes. The top power-play unit, which largely runs through him no matter what other tweaks the Hawks make, went 0-for-3 to fall to 1-for-33 over the last 12 games.<\/p>\n

Plans for Improvement<\/h3>\n

The long Olympic break could be more beneficial for Bedard than anyone, both as a mental reset and an opportunity to rest his injured shoulder. Blashill said the plan is for Bedard to resume taking faceoffs again after the break, which would allow the Hawks to separate him and Nazar onto different lines. \u201cWhen you\u2019re not taking faceoffs ever, it puts you on the wall a lot, and ultimately he\u2019s a natural centerman,\u201d Blashill said. \u201cI know he\u2019s [been] healthy enough to play, and so at that point, you\u2019re 100% if you\u2019re out there playing. You\u2019ve got to play like you\u2019re 100%.\u201d<\/p>\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n

The Blackhawks’ loss to the Blue Jackets marked a disappointing end to their pre-Olympic break schedule. With injuries and lackluster performances affecting their gameplay, the team looks forward to the break as an opportunity to regroup and strategize for the remainder of the season.<\/p>\n

FAQs<\/h2>\n