After an all-star break which saw Connor Bedard passing to NHL all-stars in the skills competition and the announcement of another Winter Classic featuring the team, the Chicago Blackhawks returned to the ice. Coming into the game against the Minnesota Wild, the Hawks had lost four in a row and were desperate for a win.
First period
TNT seemingly hates the Blackhawks, because this game started a little before 9 p.m. CST. In the first period, the Blackhawks mustered a pathetic offensive performance. The team decided to go to sleep early, as they only mustered one shot on goal in the entire period and it was a 100-foot chip from Nick Foligno. While the Hawks only got one shot on goal, the Wild mustered 11 shots. Jake Lucchini got the Wild on the board in the first period. He blasted a shot from the point that ricocheted off both posts and initially was not ruled a goal. After play continued for a bit, the horn sounded and video officials ruled that Lucchini’s shot was a good goal. At the end of the first period, the Hawks trailed 1–0.
Second period
In the second period, the Blackhawks got some juice from Jarred Tinordi fighting Marcus Foligno. After the Tinordi fight, the Hawks got their only goal of the game.
Philipp Kurashev finds Nick Foligno, who scores his 10th goal of the season. #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/ENBULmRJBP
— Charlie Roumeliotis (@CRoumeliotis) February 8, 2024
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In the battle of Foligno brothers, Nick got the equalizer in the second period to tie the game. The second period ended with the score knotted at 1–1.
Third period
In the third period, Marcus Foligno sealed the victory for the Wild with his ninth goal of the season. Marcus’s goal sent the Blackhawks to their fifth straight loss.
Analysis
It is the same old story with the Blackhawks. Great things are happening off the ice, and when you get to the actual game, it is disappointing. While prospects for the organization are having great collegiate and junior seasons, the NHL team now has a winning percentage of .300. Foligno stated after the game this team is starving for goals. The team and the fans are dying for Bedard to return.
In the last 11 games, the Blackhawks have scored just 11 goals. When a team scores two goals or more against the Hawks, the Hawks do not have the firepower to respond. Despite all of these shortcomings, the team continues to play hard and keep games close.
The Blackhawks’ next game is against the New York Rangers on Friday at 7:30 p.m. CST.