Drew Commesso provides hope of better days ahead for the Chicago Blackhawks despite losing to the Devils

Chicago Blackhawks rookie goalie Drew Commesso got thrown into the figurative deep end of the pool when he made his first career start against the New Jersey Devils.

Commesso was going to get his first NHL start at some point during his call-up with Petr Mrazek being on injured reserve. The thought was that Commesso might start tomorrow against the New York Islanders at home.

After Arvid Soderblom got blown up by the Islanders in the previous game, forcing Commesso to play in relief, that changed the date of Drew getting his first NHL start.

For the most part, he did pretty well facing the Devils' potent offense.

He blanked the Devils during the first two periods as he made 17 saves. He faced 10 high-danger chances during those two periods.

He also made a highlight-reel save during the second period.

Then the floodgates opened up in the third period, and it ruined Commesso's final numbers. The Devils scored four unanswered goals.

Just another typical way the Blackhawks lose after usually picking up the lead first and then blowing it after 40 minutes.

The defense in front of Commesso did him no favors on the first goal he allowed. Although a lot of it happened based on the nifty passing of the Devils and that New Jersey has a top-10 offense.

The second goal came due to the Hawks being unable to clear the puck and get a much-needed shift change. Players were gassed, and Wyatt Kaiser had a chance to clear but just got blasted by Jesper Blatt.

Then the defensive collapse continued as the Devils quickly added two more goals. That is why Commesso's final line will show he stopped 20 of 24 shots but the rookie gave the Hawks a chance to win for 42 minutes.

A lot of those goals he gave up were because of defensive breakdowns in front of him, especially allowing Devils' players to get to prime scoring spots on the ice.

A lot of the Hawks' chances of success this season have been predicated on the netminder going out there and trying to dominate. Mrazek and Soderblom are just not capable of doing that every night, and that is a huge ask of Commesso to do that in his first NHL start.

The Hawks could have provided Drew more goal support, but a bunch of shots hit off the post. Despite the defeat, it was a relief to see Commesso hold his own against a talented offense.

This was a game where the future was now.

Frank Nazar played well in his first game of the season despite not scoring. He did take a penalty, but for the most part, he played well in his season debut.

The defense was looking good through two periods. The team just did not have enough talent or stamina to compete for the full 60. That has been the problem all season.

At least outside of a bad ten minutes in the third period, the future looked bright and that was due in a large part to how Commesso played.