Blackhawks need to figure it out after another blowout loss

The last five periods of Chicago Blackhawks hockey have been the worst stretch of hockey they have played under head coach Jeff Blashill. The weekend started well, as the Blackhawks had a solid first period against the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday night. Then, the wheels came off as they were outscored 6-0 over the final 40 minutes.

Instead of rebounding and sending a message on Sunday, the Blackhawks continued the stink out the joint in an embarrassing 7-1 loss to the Anaheim Ducks.

“Both of them, we were really, really bad,” Blashill said. “Our two worst games of the year were those two back-to-backs, and that’s inexcusable. Neither one of them were that hard of travel. And we’ve got more coming. We have to figure out a way to be better on the back-to-backs.”

The Blackhawks were outshot 53-20 and never were in the game. For whatever reason, they have spent the last five periods playing unstructured, directionless hockey. They lost in every aspect of the game. They were outplayed up and down the ice, with the effort this team has been known for lacking.

“When you get your butt kicked on the scoreboard two nights in a row like that - and tonight was a total, total whupping - your confidence slips,” Blashill added. “But this is a big-boy league, man. You’ve got to have mental toughness, and you’ve got to find a way to get back at it. There are lessons to be learned. The one thing I’ve been impressed with this team is they’ve learned lessons.”

These last two games have been frustrating because they played so well leading up to them. But, as Blashill, they have to figure out a way to get back to that level. The answers are in the room; they aren’t coming from the outside. Sure, maybe you make a call up, or tinker with the lineup, but the cavalry isn’t coming to rescue. The guys in the locker room have to fix this before it gets out of hand.

When you zoom out, these are just two games out of 82. The Blackhawks are still one point out of a wild card spot, and five points out of third place in the Central Division. They are in a much better position than anyone predicted before the season. That is not an excuse to lay eggs on consecutive nights, but it should give you hope that they will right the ship sooner rather than later.

They can start by not depending on Spencer Knight and Bedard to do everything. Somebody else needs to step up and win a game for this team. They can start on Wednesday against the New York Rangers.

Blackhawks Let Down Their Goalie

Being a backup goaltender in the NHL is not an easy job. You don’t play nearly as much as you’d like, you have to be ready to come in at any moment, and if you don’t perform well, the fanbase jumps all over you. Arvid Soderblom has been fine in the backup role this season. He had a stretch of five straight starts of allowing three goals or fewer before his disastrous start in Buffalo.

Soderblom was terrific in the opening frame. He made 16 saves to keep his team in the game. The only goal he allowed was off a brutal turnover by Ilya Mikheyev. Unfortunately, the Blackhawks did not reward their netminder in the second period, as they continued to play directionless, sloppy hockey. Tonight’s result will not look good on the scoresheet, but Soderblom’s team never showed up for him, and that’s unacceptable.

The fact that Soderblom made a career-high 46 saves in a game he allowed seven goals is all you need to know about how bad the Blackhawks played in front of him.

Where are the Forwards?

Usually, I’m a fan of the Blackhawks’ defensemen shooting more. Creating offense from the back end is a big part of today’s game, and the Blackhawks are better when their blueliners are active with the puck. However, tonight, they seemed to be the only players in white interested in shooting the puck.

The Blackhawks had six shots on goal in the first period, all from defensemen. Things were slightly better in the second period, with four of their seven shots on goal coming from a forward. But playing 60 minutes of hockey and getting nine shots on goal from your 12 forwards is pitiful.

Ryan Donato, Jason Dickinson, Ryan Greene, Frank Nazar, Ilya Mikheyev, and Connor Bedard all had one shot attempt. Andre Burakovsky had zero shot attempts. Granted, you have to have the puck to shoot it, and the Blackhawks barely ever had it. Still, those are unacceptable efforts.

Nuggets & Tidbits

• Teuvo Teravainen missed Saturday night’s loss to the Los Angeles Kings after taking a puck to the mouth late in Thursday’s game. However, he was back on the ice tonight, sporting a new full-face shield. Teravainen had a rough night, as did the rest of his teammates. He was on the ice for three goals against and only had two shot attempts.

• Here are some stats that would make you feel good about the last two nights.

• If you thought Sunday’s game felt historically bad, you weren’t wrong.