Chicago Blackhawks Fall To Kings: 5 We Things Learned

The Chicago Blackhawks were hoping to right the ship Monday when hosting the Los Angeles Kings after previously losing in a shootout to St. Louis and in regulation at Dallas. The Kings instead would extend the Blackhawks’ losing streak to three games.

After a good powerplay that come up empty for the Blackhawks in the opening minutes, former Blackhawk and current King Kris Versteeg would put the Kings up 1-0. Versteeg would feed Milan Lucic for the Kings second goal of the game just 18 seconds later, and the Kings never looked back. L.A. added goals from Vincent Lecavalier, Dustin Brown and Tyler Toffoli as the Blackhawks fell 5-0.

Here are the five things we learned from the latest Chicago loss:

1.The Blackhawks defense is BAD. The Blackhawks defense has been issue all season. Coach Joel Quenneville tried to switch up the defense pairings to start the game. Michal Rozsival was in the lineup over Christian Ehrhoff. The results were the same poor play. It seems like the wheels have fallen off the wagon for the youngsters. Erik Gustafsson appears to lost and out of position consistently. Trevor van Riemsdyk turned the puck over way too much in his own zone. The Blackhawks have allowed five goals in two consecutive games and are 1-4 in their last five.

2. Patrick Kane fuels the Blackhawks offense. Kane could not find any space to operate on the ice tonight. Despite having six shots on net, Kane was held off the score sheet again. Kane has one goal in his five last games. Kane’s runningmate, Artemi Panarin, has been a little bit better than Kane of late, stats-wise, as he has one goal and two assists in their last five games. The team has only scored five goals in its last five games.

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3. The powerplay has gone into hibernation. The Blackhawks’ powerplay was running hot coming into last week. Since the Blues games, the Blackhawks have gone 0 for 11 for on the powerplay, including an -for-6 effort tonight. Now Jonathan Quick was on his game tonight, but 0 for 6 is not acceptable.

4. Third line continues to generate some offense. Teuvo Teravainen and Tomas Fleischmann might have been the lone semi-bright spots. Fleischmann was strong on the puck all night and Teravainen generated some offense with his play making ability.

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5. March stumbles continue. The Blackhawks STRUGGLE IN MARCH. In March of 2015, the Blackhawks at one point lost three of four including back-to-back losses to the Blue Jackets and Flyers. In 2014, the Blackhawks at one point lost four of five, which included two shutouts. Remember 2013, when the Blackhawks started the year 21-0-3. In March, the 2013 ’Hawks lost three of four at one point. For whatever reason, the Blackhawks seems to lose some steam in March before getting up for the playoffs.

Do not panic, it’s only March.