The Chicago Blackhawks came into Thursday night’s action having taken down the Minnesota Wild at home in Chicago on Sunday. Seattle came in riding a two-game winning streak, appearing as though they are heating up after a slow start to the season. Petr Mrazek got the start in net for the Blackhawks, while the Kraken went with Joey Daccord to man their crease.
No real lineup changes to speak of, except for Alec Martinez coming back into the lineup after being activated from injured reserve, with Nolan Allan coming out to create space.
First period
The first period was mostly driven by the Kraken, as they managed 10 shots on goal to the Blackhawks’ three. There were not any really close calls. Though a couple of pucks rang off the post by Mrazek, nothing was too close to getting past him and into the net.
Second period
The second period was all Seattle. After a rebound came right out front to Seth Jones, he fanned on the clearing attempt, turning the puck over for a shot that Mrazek saved off of the shoulder. A couple minutes later, Philipp Kurashev turned the puck over in behind the Seattle net. The Kraken quickly moved the puck up ice, giving them a 2-on-1 opportunity. Teuvo Teravainen tried to dive back to help, but the puck was slowed down by his stick, setting up Matty Beniers to put it home, 1–0 Kraken. Jason Dickinson had a chance that rang off the post on a 2-on-1, but the puck stayed out, keeping the score 1–0 Seattle going into the intermission.
Third period
Seattle had ended the second period on the power play, with Jones getting called for interference with 20 seconds left in the frame. They used almost all of their time, but converted on a Jaden Schwartz shot in front on a beautiful feed from Chandler Stephenson, making it 2–0 Seattle. About two minutes later, Ryan Donato got the puck in the middle of the ice. His first shot through the defender’s legs was saved, but he followed up and tucked in the rebound, bringing the Blackhawks within one at 2–1.
goal #⃣8⃣ for #⃣8⃣ pic.twitter.com/2R2qImZSqq
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) November 15, 2024
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A few minutes later, Lukas Reichel got a great chance off a feed from Tyler Bertuzzi, but Daccord saved it off of his mask. Brandon Tanev would tuck in an empty-netter, as the Kraken took this one by a final score of 3–1.
Analysis
The Blackhawks played some good hockey even in a losing effort. They do, however, need to do a much better job of staying out of the penalty box. Jones in particular takes some brutal penalties, as he is getting beat badly in some games, just like this one with some brutal turnovers and bad defensive zone play. Mrazek did all that he could to keep pucks out, but when you are hung out to dry, there is only so much that you can do.
This team also cannot keep getting beat in every statistical category and expect to win hockey games. They take stupid penalties and cannot kill off all of them, are not converting on the power play themselves and tend to lose more faceoffs than they win. If these categories in particular do not turn around, they are going to continue to be on the receiving end of losses.
The Blackhawks play next on Saturday night in British Columbia against the Vancouver Canucks. Of note, it will be Connor Bedard’s first opportunity to play an NHL game in his hometown. That game will be at 9 p.m. CST on CHSN.