The Chicago Blackhawks were less than prideful as they traveled to the nation’s capital to face the Washington Capitals on Thursday evening. Trade deadline acquisition Anton Khudobin made his first Blackhawks start and knew his role. Khudobin gave up an awful goal to Connor Sheary midway through the first period then another to Anthony Mantha just 18 seconds later. The rest of the game was just semantics, as the Capitals scored three more goals before the Blackhawks saw the scoreboard. Chicago went out with a whimper 6–1, which is exactly what should be happening. When we all said the final death march was not going to be fun, this is what was top-of-mind.
🏒 Call it rust or call it diminished skills, but Anton Khudobin was pretty bad. I am not complaining, because the Blackhawks need to lose every game they can in these final weeks, but it needs to be pointed out. The first goal was historically bad and it did not get much better.
🏒 Blackhawks forward Philipp Kurashev was injured in the first period after taking a hit from Capital forward Tom Wilson and did not return. No timetable was given for his recovery.
🏒 Blackhawks defenseman Jarred Tinordi put a big hit on Wilson later in the first period that rattled the Capitals agitator (and former Tinordi teammate). If Tinordi wants to come back, there is no reason why they should not bring him back next season. He has been a really nice veteran presence on the back end, especially with his physicality.
Jarred Tinordi lays a massive hit on Tom Wilson. Oh baby. #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/OTJRuX0w8c
— Charlie Roumeliotis (@CRoumeliotis) March 23, 2023
🦅 Capitals goaltender Darcy Kuemper had himself a nice game, making 27 saves on 28 shots. Nikita Zaitsev’s goal was a bit of a softy, but otherwise he was impenetrable.
🦅 Capital defenseman John Carlsson returned from a scary injury earlier in the season to post up a goal and assist in 20:01 of time on ice.
🏒 Again, this is by no means a complaint, but Washington looked like they were men playing against boys. That being said, they are a team that probably will not being in the playoffs this year. Chicago had five power play chances and were not able to generate much of anything while Washington converted on two of their four power plays.
For those watching the “tank index,” Chicago is currently ranked 30th overall with a .380 points percentage ahead of the San Jose Sharks (.368 and lost in regulation) and Columbus Blue Jackets (.364, off night). The Blackhawks are off Friday, but travel to Minnesota for face the Minnesota Wild on Saturday. Puck drop is a rare 4 p.m. CDT start.