Chicago Blackhawks: 5 Thoughts After Second Straight Home Loss To Preds

There are plenty of things to think after the Chicago Blackhawks’ second consecutive loss to open their playoff series against Nashville, but we’ve cut the list down to five items

Well, I really didn’t think I would ever write this, but the Chicago Blackhawks were shut out for the second consecutive game at home after losing 5-0 Saturday night, and now find themselves heading to Nashville facing a 2-0 series deficit.

There’s an awful lot to dissect and talk about when it comes to Game 2, so here are my five thoughts following the loss.

1. The ’Hawks need to score

I might not be an expert, but I do know that you need to score a goal in order to win a hockey game, and the Blackhawks have played 120 minutes without finding the back of the net.

There’s a lot of contributing factors to why the ’Hawks haven’t scored in the first two games, and goaltending is certainly one of them. The ’Hawks have continuously failed to get somebody in front of the net and as a result, Pekka Rinne has seen everything sent his way.

This marks the first time the Blackhawks have been shut out in consecutive playoff games since 2002, so take that information as you please.

2. Pekka Rinne hasn’t been *that* good

Chicago Blackhawks

Rinne has two road shutouts in the playoffs in his career, and both have come in this series, so yes, I know that he has been good this series and he’s got a lot to do with why the Preds have taken the first two games.

However, the Blackhawks have done virtually nothing to make it difficult on him throughout the games. They’re taking poor shots from everywhere on the ice. They’re failing at getting anybody in front of the net. And they’re taking shots that Rinne sees from when it leaves the stick blade until it hits the glove.

With a goaltender like Rinne, you have to get somebody in front of him to set a screen. Without it, the shots from the point and circle are highly unlikely to find the back of the net.

3. Start hot

For the love of all that is right in this world, can the Blackhawks please start hot and score first for once?

As soon as the Preds get a lead on the Blackhawks, they immediately concentrate their attention on the neutral zone and clog it up, and that style of play is incredibly frustrating for the Blackhawks, as you’ve probably been able to notice.

If the ’Hawks can finally jump out to an early lead (and, you know, actually score a goal), they prevent the Preds from playing that style of hockey and it’s a massive benefit to the ’Hawks.

4. Scott Darling should start Game 3

Before you yell, I know it’s not Corey Crawford’s fault. You have to be able to score a goal in order to win a hockey game and the Blackhawks have failed miserably at that.

However, it’s clear that something needs to spark this team and maybe a goaltending change is the way to do that. It happened in 2015 when they played the Preds and I think it needs to happen again.

The last goal Crawford gave up was one he should have had, but in a 4-0 game at the time, I can’t be too upset at him letting that in. If Scott Darling gets the start in Game 3, maybe it’ll be enough to light a fire under the Blackhawks and get them to win the first game in Nashville.

5. The ’Hawks aren’t done

Look, I know the first two games were far from ideal and I know it might seem like it’s the end of the world for the Blackhawks, but it’s not. Do things look bad? Of course. Do the ’Hawks have a lot of work to do? Absolutely.

However, this team has been here before. It has more playoff experience than any team in the playoffs, and if anybody can come back from a 2-0 series deficit, it would be the ’Hawks. It’s certainly not ideal, but the Blackhawks can certainly fight their way back and still make this a series. After everything they’ve done so far, it would be silly to count them out now.

Next: Quick Reaction To Blackhawks' Game 2 Loss

The Blackhawks look to avoid falling down 3-0 in the series as they take on the Preds in Nashville at 8:30 p.m. Monday.