Chicago Blackhawks: Five Quick Thoughts On Loss In Philly

The Chicago Blackhawks had three days off between games and they sure did look like they had issues with rust especially with the offense. The Blackhawks are 4 games into the season and they already have been shutout. So here are 5 quick thoughts on the shut out loss in Philadelphia on Wednesday night.

5. Marian Hossa Wasn’t Very Good

Marina Hossa had a glorious chance to tie up the game in the second period while being shorthanded and wasn’t able to capitalize. He also was very lethargic on the powerplay especially when the Hawks had a short two man advantage in the middle of the third period. There aren’t many games that you can say Hossa wasn’t very good, but tonight was one of those nights.

4. Penalties Killed the Hawks

All the talk for the first three games was how little the penalty box was opened for the Chicago Blackhawks, and then on Wednesday it was a parade to the penalty box in the first two periods, and in the end it cost the Hawks 2 points. The Hawks need to be disciplined every night not just 3 out of 4 games.

3. The Top Line Is A Mess Thanks To Q

The top line has two Hall of Famers and a rotating wing and its getting more and more not effective. Against Philly, Ryan Garbutt played the first two periods on the top line with zero effectiveness. Then Coach Joel Quenneville decided to throw Viktor Tikhonov on the top line and at least he kept going to the net even if he wasn’t able to get a puck in the net.

The real thanks can go to Coach Q for this mess. There has been one player to score with those two but of course Marko Dano had to learn the system so until they decide to bring Dano back to Chicago this non-stop rotation will continue and it doesn’t look like much of a lottery line anymore.

2. One Of Those Nights

The Chicago Blackhawks had so many chances and just couldn’t capitalize. Artemi Panarin had an open net, and Toews had two pucks at his feet that normally he puts in the back of the net. Every once in a while you run into a hot goalie and the puck doesn’t go your way which for now we can chalk this game up to.

1. Corey Crawford Was Sharp.

It’s one of those weird things to say in a 3-0 loss, but the Hawks could have easily been down 4-0 after two periods, but Crawford was sharp and kept the Hawks in the game. He of course picks up the loss and now is 1-2 on the young season, but he’s looked good in all three game so let’s hope the rest of the team catches up with his early season play.

Bonus Thought

NBCSN get rid of the Skycam! It’s dizzy and not how we watch hockey, If you want to use as a replay cam it’s fine, but not for long stretches of the game.

What’s your thoughts on tonight’s loss?

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