SEATTLE On Wednesday, the Chicago Blackhawks sought to end a 17-game road losing run and assist goalie Arvid Söderblom in getting revenge for his previous start in Seattle.
In a matter of thirty minutes, it was all gone.
Four minutes and 34 seconds in, Jared McCann broke the scoreboard, and two minutes and 38 seconds later, Jaden Schwartz made it 2-0 for the Kraken. It resembled the game on December 14 at Climate Pledge Arena, when Petr Mrázek relieved Söderblom after the Kraken had scorched him for seven goals.
The Hawks answered this time. Just before the first intermission, at 2:40, Joey Anderson tipped in a Seth Jones shot.
However, 16 seconds into the second period, Jones banked a below-the-goal line pass off Alex Vlasic’s foot, and it ricocheted off Söderblom’s skate into the Hawks net—a moment that neatly encapsulated the Hawks’ recent road luck. Alex Wennberg was given credit for the goal, which was noted as an own goal.
The Hawks’ power play, which is rated 32nd, eventually materialized later. 39 seconds into the third quarter, Nick Foligno scored a backdoor goal to reduce the margin to 4-2. However, the Hawks quickly converted what could have been a breakaway goal into disaster.
Goalie Joey Discord stopped Ryan Donato’s backhand attempt, and the Kraken quickly launched a counterattack. With a breakaway, Jordan Eberle stretched Tomas Tatar in the opposite direction, and suddenly, 5-2 Kraken.
Again, what was it about symbolism?
With 3:38 left, Tatar tickled the twine once more, and the Kraken prevailed 6-2.
Defensively, it’s simply not good enough, according to Anderson. “Tonight, we had more opportunities to score, but you can’t give up the defensive plays we were making.” You can’t give up the looks we’re giving up (to the Kraken) in exchange for offensive value. It must arrive in the proper manner.
Luke Richardson, the Hawks coach, acknowledged Discord but said, “We’re just having trouble burying goals.”
This month, the Hawks have only scored more than two goals twice, both times in victories.
They most likely required that on Thursday against the scorching Edmonton Oilers, who came into the game riding a 14-game winning streak.
For us, it’s a good challenge, Richardson remarked. They are a formidable opponent, therefore we must perform at a high level. We can’t make a mistake that hurts them.
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