The Chicago Blackhawks returned home after falling to the Carolina Hurricanes over the weekend. Despite the loss, Connor Bedard’s comeback tour continued with one goal and two assists against the Hurricanes. Bedard continued on his Calder Trophy push with a game against the Philadelphia Flyers on TNT.
Here was the lineup for the Blackhawks:
Blackhawks lines in warmups vs. Flyers:
Foligno-Bedard-Kurashev
Blackwell-Dickinson-Anderson
Beauvillier-TJohnson-Raddysh
Donato-Entwistle-RJohnsonVlasic-Jones
Korchinski-Megna
Tinordi-PhillipsSoderblom
— Ben Pope (@BenPopeCST) February 22, 2024
First period
In the first period, Taylor Raddysh got off a great chance early in the period and was absolutely robbed by Samuel Ersson of the Flyers.
Samuel Ersson robs Taylor Raddysh#LetsGoFlyers pic.twitter.com/rV4GpSni7b
— Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights & News (@HockeyDaily365) February 22, 2024
After the Raddysh robbery, the Flyers struck first with a goal from Travis Sanheim. Sanheim fired a shot that deflected off Alex Vlasic’s stick in for the goal.
Later in the period, Colin Blackwell got the Hawks on the board with a nifty goal. Blackwell received a great pass from Joey Anderson before dragging the puck around Jamie Drysdale and sniping a shot past Ersson.
What a pass by Joey Anderson and finish by Colin Blackwell, who scores his fourth goal of the season. #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/1sfouoPi3s
— Charlie Roumeliotis (@CRoumeliotis) February 22, 2024
The first period end with the score tied at 1–1.
Second period
In the second period, the Flyers jumped all over the Hawks. Travis Konecny fired a perfect shot past Arvid Soderblom to give Philly the lead. Later in the period, Soderblom gave up a juicy rebound that was buried by Garnet Hathaway. Soderblom has surrendered three goals or more in 17 of 22 starts, continuing his tough season. The period ended with the Flyers leading 3–1.
Third period
Reese Johnson dropped the gloves with former Blackhawks defenseman Nick Seeler. Bedard tried willing the Hawks to within one goal, but he was not able to get one past Ersson. The final score was 3–1 in favor of Flyers.
Analysis
Despite not recording any points in the game, Bedard had the puck on this stick often and generated some rushes for the Blackhawks. Bedard set a career high in ice time, playing 24:49. He is continuing to get stronger after returning from his broken jaw.
Blackwell scored his fourth goal of the season and has given the Blackhawks a lift since returning from back surgery.
It looks like Soderblom’s time as an NHL regular might be nearing an end. He has surrendered three goals or more in the vast majority of his starts this season. His regression has been staggering.
The Blackhawks’ next game is Friday against the Winnipeg Jets. Puck drop is slated for 7:30 p.m. CST.