Closer Than They Appear: Hawks Still Lose

It wasn't the start the Blackhawks wanted, as they game up a goal 22 seconds into the game and that was followed by another goal six minutes later to give the Calgary Flames the early lead. The Hawks responded less than a minute later, but the Flames added one more before the end of the first period. Mid-way through the game, the Hawks were being out-shot by the Flames 24-8, if it wasn't for a solid effort from Kevin Lankinen, this game could have got out of hand quickly. The Hawks scored the only goal in the second period to make it 3-2. The Hawks hung in with the Flames and carried much of the play in the third, but couldn't tie, with Calgary adding two empty net goals to end the threat. All in all, despite a slow start, the Blackhawks kept up with one of the league's elite teams and it was actually closer than the score indicated.

Takeaways:

• Goals: Tyler Johnson scored only his second goal of the season after a hard fore-checking shift with linemates, Jonathan Toews and Dominik Kubalik. They were the Hawks most effective line. The other goal was scored by Alec Regula who scored his first career NHL goal on a wrist shot from the point. Clearly, the weakest goal of the game given up by Jacob Markstrom, a candidate this season for the Vezina.

• Injuries: It didn't look good for MacKenzie Entwistle when he left in the first period with a suspected shoulder injury. He took a solid check and immediately left the ice holding his shoulder and didn't return. I would guess he's done for the season. Jonathan Toews left the game momentarily when he took a high stick above his mouth, no penalty on the play, but he did return.
• (Lack of) Communication: Johnny Gaudreau is having a career season and he played a great game, but one of his two could have been prevented. As Gaudreau was "circling the wagons" in the Hawks zone, Hawks forward, Taylor Raddysh skated away from Johnny to allow him a clear path to the goal.. On the replay, it was clear there was a lack of communication on the ice from the defenders, but it looked bad. Gaudreau's second goal was a garbage empty netter.

"You got him, no, you got him", Raddysh (#11) loses his man.

• Young Eddie: During the broadcast, Eddie Olczyk shared a photo from 1984, three weeks before he was a member of the U.S. Olympic hockey team, dropping a ceremonial puck. Facing off was Philadelphia Flyer, Bobby Clarke (who Eddie said was his favorite player) and Hawks captain (and Calgary head coach), Darryl Sutter. That summer, Olczyk was drafted by the Hawks and became teammates with Sutter. Eddie said he showed Sutter the photo before the game and got him to sign it. Oh, those fond memories!

Up next: Hawks are on the road for one more trip to the desert to play the Coyotes on Wednesday at 9:00 pm. Come on, they can't lose to them again!!