St. Louis Blues top Chicago Blackhawks 5-2: Three takeaways

The Chicago Blackhawks traveled to St. Louis Wednesday night to take on the St. Louis Blues. In NBCSN’s Wednesday Night Rivalry game, it was all St. Louis, who came away with the 5-2 victory.

It had the making of a feel-good night. Eddie Olczyk returned to the broadcast booth for the first time this season. Diagnosed with colon cancer in August, St Louis fans gave Olczyk an emotional standing ovation. In return, the Blues gave the Hawks a beating in Chicago’s worst game of the young season.

Takeaways

The Blackhawks technically did score two power play goals on a late double minor, but overall their play on the man advantage has been awful. Even with two power-play tallies on the night, the Hawks are converting just 17.6 percent of the time. There is no reason why this team can’t generate chances a man up, but on three occasions the team failed to register more than two shots on goal during a power play.

Even on a night where the team collectively struggled Brent Seabrook’s poor play continues to stand out. Seabrook was caught flat-footed and unable to get back to make a play several times. There is no doubt that Seabrook is a key voice in the locker room, but his play on the ice has been the disappointment of the season. The 32-year-old was a minus-4 on the night.

The returning Olczyk was the best story of the night. No matter the score of the game, there was no topping this moment. Several times during the broadcast the usually fun-loving Hawks analyst appeared to be on the verge of tears. Aside from that, you wouldn’t know that Olcyzk is in the fight of his life.

Next: Chicago Blackhawks: Blackhawks Vs. Blues Preview

This one was ugly and positives are few and far between. Entering the third period Chicago had just eight shots on goal. The loss drops the Blackhawks to 4-2-1. The good news is that the Hawks will be on the ice again in less than 24 hours welcoming in the Edmonton Oilers at 7:30 p.m. Thursday.