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RECAP: Blackhawks choke away victory 3–2 to Flyers

  
RECAP: Blackhawks choke away victory 3–2 to Flyers
Matvei Michkov scores the game-winning goal past Petr Mrazek during overtime in an NHL hockey game on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Philadelphia. (Photo courtesy of Matt Slocum / Associated Press)

The Chicago Blackhawks came into Philadelphia after defeating the defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers in their last contest. In their victory against the Panthers, Jason Dickinson suffered an injury that caused him to miss some time during the game. There was a question on whether he was going to start against Philly.

Here were the lineups.

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The only lineup change from their victory over Florida was Louis Crevier made his first NHL appearance of the season in place of Wyatt Kaiser.

First period

In the first period, the Flyers were all over the Hawks early. Petr Mrazek had to make three A+ saves to keep the game knotted at 0–0. Later in the period, Lukas Reichel got the Hawks on the board.

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The first period ended with the Hawks up 1–0. Mrazek bailed out his team multiple times in the first period. The only productive line was the fourth line with Reichel, Pat Maroon and Craig Smith.

Second period

In the second period, the fourth line once again cashed in a scoring chance. Reichel was denied on the breakaway but the line stayed with it and Maroon put the goal home for his first as a Blackhawk.

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The second period ended with the Hawks up 2–0 over the Flyers.

Third period

In the third period, the wheels fell off the Blackhawks’ wagon. Mrazek got beat by a Sean Couturier tip-in goal at the 12:33 mark of the third period. Later in the period, Noah Cates of the Flyers got a shot from high in the zone past Mrazek to tie the game up. The game remained tied until overtime.

Overtime

In overtime, Matvei Michkov beat Mrazek with a goal on a Flyers’ power play. The Blackhawks lost 3–2 to the Flyers.

Analysis

Diagnosing the Blackhawks’ problems is like playing the board game Operation. Currently, everything except goaltending on this roster hurts. While the Hawks’ offense scored two goals in the game, their defense surrendered 37 shots on net and three goals. Shots on net have been the achilles heel of the Blackhawks for years.

Connor Bedard

Connor Bedard has not recorded a shot on goal for two consecutive games. It is the first this has happened in his young NHL career. Teams are focusing on stopping Bedard because the Blackhawks’ offense has not displayed another scoring threat. Despite bringing in Tyler Bertuzzi and Teuvo Teravainen, Bedard has had a tougher go this season. Bedard, Bertuzzi and Teravainen have to get going for the Hawks.

Lukas Reichel

While people on Twitter are screaming for Reichel to moved up the lineup, he has been his most effective on the fourth line. With veterans Maroon and Smith, Reichel snapped his 10-game goalless streak and recorded his eighth point of the season. He now has eight points in 17 games as opposed to 16 points in 65 games all of last season.

Mrazek

The line bright spot for the Hawks in this contest was the play of Mrazek. While surrendering three goals, he still finished the game with a .919 save percentage and made a few huge saves early. Overall for the season, he is playing above league average in terms of save percentage at .912. Without his stellar play in this contest, this game was going to be a lopsided affair.

How to fix the Hawks

The question plaguing the Blackhawks is how to “right” the ship. Many people believe one way to fix the team is by firing Luke Richardson. Others believe Reichel playing more minutes will improve the team. Lastly, people have begun beating the drum for Frank Nazar to be called up.

Honestly, none of these “solutions” are going to fix the Blackhawks. The Hawks are a lottery team for the third year in a row and that is the reality the majority of fans must accept and embrace.

The Hawks return to action against the Dallas Stars on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. CST.

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