The Chicago Blackhawks fell to 1–4–1 on home ice and 5–8–1 overall after last night’s 4–1 loss at the hands of the rival Detroit Red Wings. The overall feel in the building was lackluster at best, as most “Detroit sucks” chants were clearly overshadowed by “Let’s go Red Wings” and the product on the ice was not any better for the home team.
Luke Richardson gave the nod to goaltender Petr Mrazek, who made some excellent saves to keep his team in the game, but the 32-year-old Czech’s 21-save effort was not enough.
First period
In what was an evenly boring offensive period for both teams, the goal with 1.5 seconds left in the period by former Blackhawks forward Alex DeBrincat was a sign of what was to come for the mistake-filled defense on the night. Detroit entered the zone on a 2-on-4 as forward Dylan Larkin entered the zone with 5.7 seconds left in the period, found his way into the middle of the ice without ever being touched and after having his initial pass attempt blocked, skated to within 10 feet of Mrazek, got off a shot and DeBrincat was able to hammer home the rebound before the horn would sound for the period.
Alex DeBrincat – Detroit Red Wings (6) pic.twitter.com/X6YI2rPkJa
— NHL Goal Videos (@NHLGoalVideos) November 7, 2024
Second period
The only part of the game fans were able to cheer came at the 8:42 mark of the second period when captain Nick Foligno scored his fifth goal of the season on a back shot that beat 37-year-old goaltender Cam Talbot for his only blemish of the night. Tyler Bertuzzi won a board battle and found a streaking Foligno, who was able to tap home a second chance as Talbot’s skate blade just could not keep the post.
Nick Foligno – Chicago Blackhawks (5) pic.twitter.com/mBjcwvoczQ
— NHL Goal Videos (@NHLGoalVideos) November 7, 2024
The tie game would not last long, as Detroit took advantage of a tired Blackhawks team on a long shift when Larkin used his world-class speed to easily work around a tired Isaak Phillips and fire a wrist shot past Mrazek for a 2–1 lead at the 12:27 mark of the middle frame. The goal, Larkin’s eighth goal of the season, was assisted by DeBrincat.
The goal was generated by a Bertuzzi turnover just inside his own blue line, a turnover the home team made several times throughout the night instead of getting the puck in deep and working along the boards.
Detroit goal!
Scored by Dylan Larkin with 07:33 remaining in the 2nd period.
Assisted by Alex DeBrincat.
Chicago: 1
Detroit: 2#DETvsCHI #Blackhawks #LGRW pic.twitter.com/MyKyzFJWcT— NHL Goals (@nhl_goal_bot) November 7, 2024
Third period
As fans started to find exits and left the building about 3/4 filled, forward Joseph Veleno tipped home a deflection from a Moritz Seider attempt to give the Red Wings a 3–1 lead at the 3:03 mark of the third period. The goal was Veleno’s first goal of the season after the Blackhawks lost a board battle and found two Blackhawks team members following the puck carelessly before Seider fired a weak attempt on Mrazek that was deflected by Veleno, who was standing all alone in front.
Detroit goal!
Scored by Joe Veleno with 16:57 remaining in the 3rd period.
Assisted by Moritz Seider and Michael Rasmussen.
Chicago: 1
Detroit: 3#DETvsCHI #Blackhawks #LGRW pic.twitter.com/M6UWAIyaaK— NHL Goals (@nhl_goal_bot) November 7, 2024
Chicago never threatened late and Andrew Copp scored an empty-net goal that sent the few Chicago fans packing and the Red Wings a 4–1 victory.
Probably the best part for the fans left was a quick “encore” that forward Patrick Kane gave before exiting the ice in his red and white sweater.
Analysis
The aforementioned mistakes were the downfall of the Blackhawks. As shown in the first goal of the night, Chicago does not have the physicality to make many mistakes in their own zone and get away with them. If they are not physical around the net, then their positioning needs to be perfect and that is a crapshoot on most nights. Throw in the fact the offense turns the puck over consistently in the neutral zone and at the blue line and that is a recipe for disaster for a bottom-five hockey team in the league.
Foligno scored his fifth goal of the seaason and continues to be a bright spot for the overmatched Blackhawks.
This was a night that Alex Vlasic needs to flush, as evident by his -4 rating for the night. Even without the overrated stats of plus-minus, Vlasic was terrible. Those nights happen, and the great thing about having one yesterday is there is a game in Dallas tonight. It will be interesting to see the young defenseman’s bounce back, as he has been the best Blackhawks defenseman on many prior nights.
That game tonight can be seen on CHSN and Victory+, as the Dallas Stars host the Chicago Blackhawks with a 7 p.m. CST puck drop in Dallas.