Chicago Blackhawks’ Thoughts From Avs Loss; Gustav Forsling Recalled

The Chicago Blackhawks and Colorado Avalanche played an uninspiring game Tuesday night, but some interesting news has cropped up the following morning regarding the defensive corps

When Erik Johnson netted a goal 1 minute, 57 seconds into the overtime period of Tuesday’s game between the Chicago Blackhawks and Colorado Avalanche, it ended a game of suffering for Blackhawks fans.

The visiting team did not look at all interested in playing against the league’s worst squad, though they managed to go up 3-0 midway through the second period. That lead had evaporated by the start of the third period, and was all the way gone early in overtime.

Not that it was likely to bother the Blackhawks, who simply added another point to their division- and conference-winning total. They rolled out a non-playoff lineup and approached the game with a non-playoff attitude, and it certainly showed.

More interesting news came out this morning, however, when the Blackhawks announced defenseman Gustav Forsling was called up to the main roster ahead of Thursday’s game against Anaheim.

Thoughts from Tuesday’s loss to Avalanche

— So the resting begins. Duncan Keith and Niklas Hjalmarsson were held out of Tuesday’s game, though Hjammer’s reason went beyond rest. The Swede’s wife is due to have a child any day, and it’s likely to keep Hjammer out the rest of the regular season.

Don’t see why this is a bad thing for the Blackhawks, as if there’s anyone who can use some rest here, it’s Hjammer. The amount of times he puts his body in danger during an average game makes it imperative he stay healthy heading into the postseason.

Keith being sidelined should’ve also been expected. We can expect Brent Seabrook and Johnny Oduya to see some downtime in these final two games as well, especially with Forsling back in the fold. Maybe Brian Campbell will even get a night off.

— That being said, it was pretty clear the rest of the Blackhawks were not terribly concerned about this game. Allowing 51 shots on goal to a team that has fewer points than that isn’t a great look, regardless of your care level.

The Blackhawks were hopeful a heavy surge early in the second period would be enough to get the job done, and it probably could’ve been. The Avs weren’t terribly bothered, either, to respond to the Blackhawks’ pressure.

— Except, the Blackhawks’ powerplay soiled itself multiple times, letting Colorado back in the game. On the first error, Artemi Panarin through a wayward, almost blind pass to the blue line that Seabrook couldn’t handle, leading to a 2-on-1 that Matt Duchene pounded home. On the second, Campbell attempted a drop pass to Panarin that was picked off by Gabriel Landeskog, who beat Panarin and Patrick Kane on a wraparound.

Now, in the short term, we can blame this on the Blackhawks being lackadaisical all night. In the grand scheme of things, this was just another night the Blackhawks’ powerplay was a complete dud, and that’s been happening in games the Blackhawks were awake for, too. Probably the only actual concern I’d take from this outing.

Chicago Blackhawks

— Kane had zero shot attempts. Not just shots … shot attempts. That’ll never happen again (except maybe in one of the next two games).

Forsling in second stint with Blackhawks

Let’s get on to some less silly news. With the Blackhawks resting guys, Forsling is set to begin his second stint in the NHL this season.

The 20-year-old Swede played in 36 games with Chicago earlier this year, the last one Feb. 11 at Edmonton. He recorded five points, a plus-4 rating and averaged 14:42 ice time.

On the negative side, Hockey Reference listed his takeaways to giveaways ratio at 4 to 25. That’s … bad. It was chief among the reasons Forsling was sent to Rockford, as he looked a little uncomfortable in both zones while in the NHL.

Forsling’s defensive play showed some positives signs his first time through, but he was also exploited other times. Some of this has to do with Forsling being light in the ass (6-foot-0, 186 pounds), some of it is youth, and some of it is Forsling getting used to the North American game after playing in Sweden.

Like with other Blackhawks who were sent to Rockford this season, the hope is Forsling learned some valuable lessons with the AHL club and can apply them at the NHL level now. Unlike some other guys, like Nick Schmaltz and Vinnie Hinostroza, Forsling won’t be asked for much though.

He’ll likely play in the last two regular-season games before turning into a Black Ace for the postseason. If you recall, Black Aces are the guys who can be ready on a moment’s notice to jump out of the press box and take on a role with a team. For example, a guy like Jamal Mayers was a Black Ace in 2013, but was among the first two hoist the Stanley Cup.

Next: Blackhawks' Artemi Panarin Hot, Team's Focus Not

We’ll likely see Forsling in action Thursday against Anaheim, where the Blackhawks may up their care level a bit simply because the Ducks are a playoff team. But the lineup will definitely not be one you’d see in the postseason.

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