Shorthanded Blackhawks find a way to earn a point in overtime loss to Devils

The Chicago Blackhawks' return to the United Center following a six-game road trip was not as triumphant as many fans had hoped for. It wasn’t a complete waste either, as they found a way to earn a point in a 4-3 overtime loss to the New Jersey Devils.

The Blackhawks were without two of their top three centers and a top-line winger. They showed off their resiliency, got some depth scoring, and nearly beat the Eastern Conference’s top in regulation. A loss like this would have been considered a “moral victory” in seasons past, but now they are disappointing, as you feel the Blackhawks left an extra point on the ice.

Connor Bedard extended his point streak to nine games with a 5-on-3 goal in the first period.

Landon Slaggert and Sam Lafferty scored in the third period, as the Blackhawks held two separate one-goal leads in the final frame. Simon Nemec was the hero for the visitors, as he completed his first career hat trick in overtime. He is just the third defenseman in franchise history to score three goals in a game.

Last season, the Blackhawks would have lost a game by three goals. This season, they found a way to earn a point. Could they have gotten two points? Yes, but earning one on a night they were clearly outplayed is still quite the accomplishment.

“We didn’t have our best, that’s for sure,” head coach Jeff Blashill said. “It looked like we had a number of guys without great legs. Then you’re kind of slow to pucks, you’re kind of slow with the puck, and you’re not as sharp when you do have it. We just weren’t as assertive with the puck as we needed to be.”

Landon Slaggert Returns

Slaggert went to bed Tuesday night thinking he was going to be playing against the Manitoba Moose at the BMO Center. Instead, he was back in the NHL and in the lineup against the Devils. Andre Burakovsky was a surprise absentee at morning skate, and he was unable to play. Slaggert was inserted into the lineup with Nick Foligno and Lafferty.

I know most Blackhawks fans want to see Nick Lardis get the call, but this move made sense. Slaggert has played in Blashill’s system already this year and fits it well. He’s fast, physical, and hunts the puck.

“I’ve talked with Jared Nightengale this morning, and he said he’s played great,” said Blashill. “Said he’s played a lot, played in big roles, and he’s played great. They’ve done a good job with what Landon is. Landon’s a puck hound. Landon can pressure the puck hard, both on a forecheck and on a backcheck. When he’s at his best, he’s physical, he’s hard at the net, and he can make a play. So, if he ends up where he’s in the lineup, I’m fully confident with him.

“When he went down, he missed most of camp with his injuries, so we just felt it was important to get to the level where he was going to get more puck touches. He was playing 7-8 minutes a night; it’s hard to get your game going at 7-8 minutes a night.”

When Lardis gets his first call to the NHL, the Blackhawks hope he’s here to stay. Slaggert’s recall is likely temporary. Jason Dickinson was a full participant at Wednesday's morning skate and could return on Saturday. Frank Nazar is still considered day-to-day even though he hasn’t been on the ice the last two days.

Slaggert had his best moment of the year by scoring the go-ahead goal early in the third period. He did a great job at getting to the front of the net and redirecting Louis Crevier’s shot past Jacob Markstrom.

He finished his return to the NHL with a goal on his lone shot, a hit, a blocked shot, and a plus-2 rating.

Promotion for Oliver Moore

With the trio of key forwards missing in action, Oliver Moore got his chance to play on the top line with Bedard and Tyler Bertuzzi. He didn’t look out of place playing with the Blackhawks’ top duo. His speed was noticeable right off the hop.

Moore made a great defensive play about six minutes into the game. He read a pass at his own blue line perfectly and got the puck going the other direction. In the second period, he stole the puck in the neutral zone and then set up Tyler Bertuzzi for a one-on-one chance with Markstrom, but he failed to convert. Moore also made a nice stick check later in the period to prevent a shot on goal.

Blashill put Moore on the ice to start overtime with Artyom Levshunov and Bedard. He had a few moments of indecisiveness on the ice that cost the Blackhawks possible scoring chances, but those are mistakes that can be corrected with more experience. He had two shot attempts, two takeaways, and a blocked shot, but was on the ice for two goals against.

Nuggets & Tidbits

• Louis Crevier spent much of the night playing on the top defensive pair with Alex Vlasic. Blashill said he made the move because Sam Rinzel had been giving up too many chances lately, and he wanted to pull him back a bit. This is one of the luxuries of playing seven defensemen; you can adjust players’ minutes as their performance dictates. Crevier responded with two assists in the third period, two hits, and a takeaway. However, he was on the ice for all three goals against in regulation.

• Connor Murphy played one of his best games of the season. He was physical early in the game and made a handful of savvy plays with the puck to either get it out of the defensive zone or through the neutral zone. Unfortunately, he got caught going behind the net, which left Dawson Mercer open for his third-period goal.

• Murphy had one of the Blackhawks’ 28 hits on the night. The uptick in this department was mainly due to the lopsided puck possession, but it was good to see the physicality. Colton Dach registered nine hits on the night. Twelve of the 18 skaters were credited with at least one hit.

• Lafferty had the goal of the night to give the Blackhawks a lead late in the third period. You had to feel good for him, as this has been a tough season for him with very little playing time. He’s been a total pro. He hasn’t complained, and he’s been ready to play every time he’s been inserted into the lineup. That’s not easy to do.

• Nemec is a great example of how a young defenseman needs time to develop. He was drafted second overall in 2022 and struggled during his first two pro seasons. He’s starting to put the pieces together and has four goals in the last two games, after scoring five in his entire career before this week. Patience with dynamic young defenders is key.

• The Blackhawks picked up their 20th point of the season by getting the game into overtime. Last season, they didn’t reach 20 points until Dec. 9.