Blackhawks try to play pretty, lose to Hurricanes
Time away from the ice did little to ignite the Chicago Blackhawks' offense.
The Blackhawks were back at it Sunday after having four days off for the NHL's holiday break, and goals continued to elude them. The Blackhawks' offense was again limited as the Carolina Hurricanes defeated them 2-1 at the United Center.
The Hurricanes (15-16-5) looked like a team the Blackhawks could pounce on following their layoff. The Hurricanes had played at home the day before and were starting goalie Eddie Lack, who entered the game with a 3.34 goals-against average and .876 save percentage.
But just as the Blackhawks (20-13-4) struggled to consistently create quality chances in their 4-0 loss to the Dallas Stars before the break, they didn't challenge Lack much on Sunday. The Blackhawks' lone goal came with three seconds remaining in the game. Brent Seabrook scored after the Blackhawks had pulled goaltender Corey Crawford.
“I think everybody was well rested, so (it) should be an advantage,” said Blackhawks forward Marian Hossa, who returned to action after missing the last two games with an upper-body injury. “Obviously, we didn't take advantage. This game should play (out) a little bit different. We didn't have enough bodies going to the net and sacrificing and getting the ugly goals.”
The Blackhawks finished with 36 shots on net, including 19 in the third period, but most of their opportunities came from the outside. Centers Jonathan Toews and Phillip Danault were among the few bright spots offensively for the Blackhawks. Both had multiple quality looks around the net.
The Blackhawks' goals-for average fell to 2.60, which is tied for 15th in the league, after Sunday. They're also averaging 1.43 even-strength goals per game after averaging 1.83 last season.
Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville wasn't too concerned about the offense.
“I know scoring's down and tough around the league and everybody checks well and has balance in their lineup and depth and four lines that usually can play the right way,” Quenneville said. “That's why scoring first is important. Teams get the lead and they're not looking to score, they're looking to check. And this team was looking to check from the outset, and we knew that.”
Crawford gave the Blackhawks time to score the game's first goal as he held off the Hurricanes for nearly two periods. It wasn't until there were 18.2 seconds remaining in the second period when the Hurricanes finally broke the scoreless tie. Carolina defenseman Justin Faulk shot from the deep slot and beat Crawford to the left side of the net to go ahead 1-0.
The Hurricanes built on their lead with a goal by Victor Rask at 4:48 of the third period. Hurricanes center Jeff Skinner had the primary assist on both goals.
Quenneville, Hossa and defenseman Duncan Keith thought the key for the Blackhawks to create more offense going forward was to play simpler.
“I think maybe we're a little bit of guilty of trying to be too pretty with the puck,” Keith said. “Instead of just keeping it simple, throw it at the net and have one guy there and just do a better job of getting it to the net and guys going to the net.”
Crawford stopped 25-of-27 shots in the loss. He has made 346 saves on 367 shots for a .943 save percentage in 12 games in December. He is 18-10-2 on the season.