No Tricks: Need Goals! No Goals

After scoring eight goals last game against the New Jersey Devils, you'd think the Hawks could score at least one goal, nope! After a scoreless first period where the Blackhawks looked competitive, the Blues scored three straight in the second period and one more in the third to coast to a 4-0 victory at the UC Sunday afternoon. Another painful loss at home!

Takeaways:

• In the second, it felt like the Blues were toying with the Hawks, playing a game of "keep away" for much of the period. Giveaway after giveaway cost the team with numerous unforced errors from the home side.
• Speaking of unforced errors, the d-pairing of Caleb Jones and Connor Murphy were on the ice for every goal (McCabe might have been on for one?). They coughed up the puck or were forced off the puck in their own zone on more than a couple occasions and makes you want to yell, "get the f**cking puck out!!". The rest of the defense played okay, considering. Seth Jones was fine, Jake McCabe returned, Regula gets overwhelmed at times, but he's been steady and Isaak Phillips just called up from Rockford, played a safe and efficient game.
• Without Fleury in goal, this game could have been a runaway a lot sooner. He made some amazing stops and sometimes it was the second or third chances that went in. Especially while shorthanded, the Blues controlled the play and had Fleury moving side to side to side to side most of the game. I fear the blowouts could become even more frequent if Fleury gets traded at the deadline. Doesn't help that your team can't score in front of you. This season against the Blues in four games, the Hawks have given up 12 goals, while only scoring 4 goals and were shut out twice!
•  Just a random thought, but with the Jones brothers (Seth & Caleb) and Phillips on the back end, it meant that 3 of 6 (50%) of the Hawk's defencemen in the game were black. Not sure how often or at all if that's happened.

• Unfortunately, there weren't many highlights for the Hawks on the ice, but at least upstairs in the broadcast booth, Pat and Eddie were back together. Midway through the third, Caley and Colby said, "How about some desperation, it's kids day at the United Center give the kids something, some desperation", Eddie added, "You need a push-back for the great fans at the United Center", Pat followed with, "for all these great young fans, you don't want the ball pit and bouncy house to be the highlight of the day! Classic Pat!