While the Chicago Blackhawks have earned a point in three of their last four games, the lack of offensive production remains a major issue. Dating back to Jan. 12, the Blackhawks have totaled only 11 goals in their past seven games, scoring more than two tallies in a single outing just once.
The offense was stymied once again in a 5-1 loss to the two-time defending champion Florida Panthers on Sunday, with Tyler Bertuzzi being the lone goal scorer. That now gives Chicago nine goals in their last seven games at the United Center. It doesn’t help that the power play is as cold as can be, going without a conversion in their last 17 opportunities.
More in the links for another poor offensive performance against the Panthers, who pulled away in the third period with four unanswered goals.
Around the league, Evgeni Malkin seemingly dodged a scare for the Penguins, Beckett Sennecke and Brock Nelson are the latest players to record hat tricks, and Brandon Bussi is reportedly working on an extension in Carolina.
All that & more in the Daily!
Chicago Blackhawks Recap, News & Tidbits
Chicago Hockey Now: The Blackhawks scored only once for the fifth time in their last seven games on home ice. The new-look forward lines that head coach Jeff Blashill rolled out didn’t make a difference, as the Panthers pounced on a struggling offensive bunch for a 5-1 win in Chicago.
More CHN: Speaking of the new-look forward lines, Oliver Moore opened up Sunday’s game on the top line with Connor Bedard, while Nick Lardis received his first true top-six opportunity on the second line with Frank Nazar. Blashill diverted from these new groupings as the game against Florida wore on, but a youth-filled top six likely will be utilized again in the second half of the season. Especially with some veterans expected to be on the move before the trade deadline.
In prospects news, Marek Vanacker scored his OHL-leading 34th goal of the season and added an assist in the Brantford Bulldogs’ 7-1 blowout win over the Barrie Colts. Vanacker is now in the midst of a six-game point streak, where he’s recorded multiple points in five of those games.
NHL Trade Talk, News, & National Hockey Now
The Athletic: From Sweden’s Olympic injury nightmare to the Toronto Maple Leafs and Florida Panthers making calls, here are the latest rumblings that Pierre LeBrun is hearing around the NHL.
NHL.com: After trailing 2-0 early, the Anaheim Ducks scored four of the next five goals to comeback and defeat the Calgary Flames 4-3 in overtime. Beckett Sennecke found the back of the net twice in the second period and capped off his first career hat trick with the overtime winner.
Pittsburgh Hockey Now: An odd situation with a positive development. Evgeni Malkin seemed to collapse on the Pittsburgh Penguins bench after taking a bump to the shoulder. He’s missed 15 games earlier this season with a shoulder injury, but head coach Dan Muse confirmed postgame that Malkin is alright.
Colorado Hockey Now: Brock Nelson joined Beckett Sennecke at the hat trick party on Sunday. Nelson scored three goals to lift the Colorado Avalanche to a commanding 4-1 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs. It was Nelson’s first hat trick since March 19, 2022.
Carolina Hockey Now: There is good news on the horizon for the Carolina Hurricanes, as Brandon Bussi’s stay in Raleigh is all but certain to last much longer than this season. According to David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period, Bussi and the Hurricanes are working towards a contract extension.
New Jersey Hockey Now: According to a source that spoke with James Nichols of NJHN, the trade talks involving New Jersey Devils‘ defenseman Dougie Hamilton have slowed down recently. With Luke Hughes’ injury, the Devils might not be able to afford moving another blueliner at the moment.
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