The Chicago Blackhawks have sleep-walked through the first two games following the 4 Nations Face-off break as they have been outscored 10–3 by Columbus and Toronto. On Tuesday night, the Hawks took on the Utah Hockey Club at the Delta Center hoping to get back into the win column. Arvid Soderblom got the start for the visitors while Utah started Karel Vejmelka.
First period
Chicago got on the board first on a power play goal by Seth Jones. At the side of the net, Ryan Donato fed Jones at the left point and he skated across the blue line and into the right circle and snapped a wrist shot past Vejmelka for his seventh of the season to give the Hawks a 1–0 lead at 13:34. This was Jones’ first goal since going public with his desire to be traded.
🗣️Hawks up 1-0🗣️ pic.twitter.com/WBTS6DG9Oo
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) February 26, 2025
The Hawks would take the one-goal lead into the first intermission.
Second period
With 37.2 left in the middle frame, Clayton Keller scored his 21st of the season to tie the game at 1–1. Utah got some much-needed zone time, and after winning a board battle, the puck found its way in front of the net and Keller shot it in just inside the right post for the goal to tie it after two periods.
Third period
Lawson Crouse broke the tie with his ninth of the season to give Utah its first lead of the game at 2–1. Crouse retrieved the puck behind the Hawks’ net, skated in front and lifted a backhand shot from the left circle past a screened Soderblom at the 12:12 mark. The Hawks were able to generate a few chances in the final minute with their net empty and the extra attacker on but could not get the equalizer as Utah won it 2–1.
Analysis
The Hawks’ lack of offense wasted a strong performance in goal by Soderblom, who kept the game within reach for as long as possible. Utah finished the game outshooting the Hawks 36–22, including 14–6 in the third after Utah tied it late in the second, which was the turning point of the game. On the plus side, the Blackhawks’ penalty kill was a perfect 5 for 5, including three in the first period when the Hawks were clinging to a 1–0 lead. The Blackhawks continue their road trip on Thursday night in Las Vegas against the Vegas Golden Knights. Puck drop is at 9 p.m. CST on CHSN with the radio call on 720 AM WGN.