Chicago Blackhawks: Takeaways from loss to Calgary Flames
By Clay Swallow
The Chicago Blackhawks ended their western Canada trip last night in Calgary with a loss last night. Here are the things that stood out to me last night.
The Chicago Blackhawks were happy to end their trip to western Canada last night, because it was not very kind to their record. They lost all three games in Canada and had a horrible third period against the Flames last night. That being said, there were also positives tonight so here are my takeaways from last night’s game.
More from Da Windy City
- 3 takeaways from Chicago Blackhawks shootout loss to Nashville
- Chicago Cubs in the middle of chaos that is Shohei Ohtani’s free agency
- The Chicago Cubs are on a roller coaster of emotions chasing Shohei Ohtani
- Chicago Bears quietly compiling list of head coaching candidates
- Chicago White Sox News: Erick Fedde signs two-year deal
1. Toews scores 300th goal
Jonathon Toews hit a milestone mark tonight scoring his 400th goal in the first period. It was fitting that he had an assist on the play from his long time buddy Patrick Kane. Toews got his 300th goal the way he has gotten countless ones before, in the dirty areas around the net. He took a pass from Kane and shoved it home.
The way Toews has started off, it looks like he is in for one heck of a comeback season. He is playing fast and with the same grit that he used to. If Toews keeps this up, the Blackhawks should be in decent shape throughout the season.
2. Is Saad back?
Brandon Saad was all over the ice tonight. Ever since Saad’s demotion to the fourth line ,he has played with fire and plenty of speed. Saad has returned to his game of the basics — using his speed to get to the front of the net and punching goals home.
Saad is playing great hockey on both sides of the ice and is making his presence felt. This team desperately needs him to keep this up because he is really the only power winger this team has. Saad is another Blackhawk that has a chance for a big bounce-back season if he continues to gain confidence.
3. Another third period collapse
Sadly, the Blackhawks’ trip to western Canada was not the greatest for the team. Two of the losses looked very similar, with the Blackhawks leading through two periods, only to suffer a third period collapse and have the game effectively ended with an empty net goal.
The Blackhawks looked fantastic through two periods and had a 3-2 lead heading into the third. However, the Hawks were thoroughly outplayed and out shot by a landslide in the third period. They seemed to be playing not to lose rather than to extend their lead, which isn’t a good plan against the team that has scored the most third period goals this season.
Next. Cubs: 3 takeaways from Cole Hamels deal. dark
The Blackhawks need to get things fixed quick because with the central division as tough as it is, they cannot afford to give up points on multiple nights in a row for very long or they will be in the tank sweepstakes and (hopefully) if that happens, Stan Bowman will be looking for a new job.