Sinking Blackhawks drop fifth straight, 5-2 to Vancouver
How low can the Blackhawks go?
Apparently, pretty darn low.
The Hawks - playing a Vancouver team that had scored 7 goals during a seven-game losing streak - allowed 4 goals in less than 23 minutes and dropped a 5-2 decision to the lowly Canucks at the United Center on Thursday.
This from a Vancouver that shares the worst record in the Western Conference and was shut out in back-to-back-to-back games on March 11, 12 and 14.
J-F Berube was pulled in favor of Anton Forsberg after the Canucks went up 4-1 at 9:38 of the second period. In his last four starts, Berube has an .853 save percentage and 5.41 goals-against average.
"We talk about what we give up and measure (our play by) not being out there for chances or goals against," said Hawks coach Joel Quenneville. "You've all got to assume some responsibility. Can't point the fingers at just the goalies."
The Hawks (30-36-9) have lost five straight and are 6-17-2 in their last 25 games. They've also allowed 36 goals to their last seven opponents.
"We talk about it every day where we try to limit other teams' chances," said Nick Schmaltz, whose first-period goal gave him 21 on the season and tied the game at 1-1. "Whether we're not coming back hard enough or turning pucks over at the blue line, we can do a better job of that. Minimizing those odd-man rushes definitely will help us."
Jonathan Toews did not play and will "miss a few games" with an upper-body injury he suffered against Colorado on Tuesday. Quenneville said the Hawks will re-evaluate Toews next week, but with seven games remaining it may make sense to shut him down.
Toews' absence gave Patrick Sharp, Tomas Jurco and Alex DeBrincat a chance to play top-six roles, and Vinnie Hinostroza a chance to center a line for the first time since Dec. 21.
The changes did no good, though, and the Hawks will continue to play for pride when they travel to New York to take on the Islanders on Saturday.
"Everyone loves playing hockey and we want to enjoy it, too," Schmaltz said. "Not every person in the hockey world can say they play in the NHL, so it's pretty special every game.
"Take advantage of it. Don't take it for granted and make sure you're playing hard every game and every shift."
Matthew Highmore, who returned after missing one game with an injury, scored the Hawks' other goal at 16:27 of the third period.
The Hawks must go 6-1-0 or 6-0-1 or they will finish with a sub-.500 record for the first time since they went 31-42-9 in 2006-07.