Jan 13, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Blackhawks middle Connor Bedard (98) passes the puck towards the Calgary Flames in the course of the second interval at United Middle. Necessary Credit score: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Photos Because the losses pile up, frustration continues to eat the Chicago Blackhawks.
In the meantime, the Nashville Predators nonetheless are looking for methods to win video games constantly.
The Blackhawks look to keep away from a fourth consecutive total defeat — and seventh straight on the street — after they face the Predators on Thursday.
Proprietor of a league-low 30 factors, Chicago has dropped 9 of the previous 11 video games, and even younger star Connor Bedard has not been in a position to spark the rebuilding squad. Bedard scored to file his a hundredth profession level Monday towards the Calgary Flames, however the Blackhawks took a 5-2 dwelling defeat.
Chicago has allowed 14 targets throughout its present three-game skid. The Blackhawks’ 28 regulation losses are essentially the most within the league.
“It has been arduous,” mentioned Bedard, who has 5 targets and eight assists prior to now 11 video games. “It has been loads of video games to lose. It weighs on you.”
Bedard, who owns team-leading totals of assists (27) and factors (39), is just not prepared to start out inserting blame on his teammates.
“We’re all on this as one, and we have loads of work to do, clearly,” Bedard added.
Bedard gave the Blackhawks a 2-0 lead together with his second-period objective towards visiting Nashville on Oct. 25. Nonetheless, the Predators adopted with three unanswered targets for a 3-2 victory.
That triumph got here in the midst of Nashville’s season-high three-game profitable streak. The Predators, 5 factors forward of Chicago, are 7-6-1 since a devastating 0-5-3 slide, however solely twice have they strung collectively back-to-back wins in the course of the present optimistic stretch.
They are going to have an opportunity to do it once more on Thursday, two nights after incomes a 5-3 victory over the visiting Vegas Golden Knights. Steven Stamkos scored twice and added an help for Nashville, which matched its season excessive for targets whereas additionally recording the franchise’s 1,000th all-time victory.
“There’s undoubtedly a perception that after we do the issues we’re able to doing and we keep related, we are able to play with anyone,” Predators coach Andrew Brunette mentioned.
Even with the offensive breakout on Tuesday, Nashville ranks subsequent to final within the league with a mean of two.47 targets, higher than solely the Anaheim Geese (2.41). Proper forward of the Predators are the Blackhawks (2.55).
Stamkos, sitting on 99 profession multi-goal video games, is now tied with Jonathan Marchessault for the staff lead with 14 targets apiece.
Nashville backup goalie Justus Annunen (2.88 goals-against common) stopped 19 of twenty-two photographs vs. Vegas. Juuse Saros could possibly be again in Nashville’s web to face the Blackhawks regardless that he has allowed 15 targets whereas shedding 4 of his final 5 video games.
In the meantime, Chicago’s Petr Mrazek (3.25 GAA) has yielded at the very least 4 targets in seven of his previous eight begins. Backup Arvid Soderblom has allowed a complete of 10 whereas shedding every of his previous two begins.
Chicago’s netminders proceed to be affected by poor protection in entrance of them. The membership concedes 3.45 targets per contest, which ranks thirtieth within the NHL. Embattled veteran defenseman Seth Jones was a minus-4 towards Calgary.
Nashville star Filip Forsberg has scored a objective in three straight video games, and he has seven factors prior to now 5 contest. He scored towards the Blackhawks in October.
–Discipline Stage Media
