The Chicago Blackhawks’ five-game point streak was dissolved in one period at the United Center on Friday night in a 5–1 loss at the hands of the visiting Minnesota Wild. The Wild tallied three first-period goals to effectively render the home side irrelevant for the remainder of the game.
Former Blackhawk Ryan Hartman scored twice in the first frame, and Marcus Foligno added another to give the visitors a 3–0 advantage at the break.
In the second period, Marc-Andre Fleury was pulled after Calen Addison tallied Minnesota’s fourth goal. Fleury ended his night surrendering four goals on 13 shots. Brandon Duhaime would add a fifth goal before the period’s end, making it 5–0 Wild with a period to play.
Dylan Strome would score a meaningless goal for the Hawks in the third period. Patrick Kane and Brandon Hagel registered assists, and the game would end 5–1.
Brandon Hagel➡️Patrick Kane➡️Dylan Strome🚨
Kane sets up Strome for his 4th goal of the season to get the #Blackhawks on the board in garbage time. Kane extends his point streak to 9 games with the assist.pic.twitter.com/zN8ztZQeOm
— Talkin’ Hawkey (@TalkinHawkey) January 22, 2022
Analysis
Contrary to the rare excitement of the Hawks winning a game here and there, this team will not make the playoffs. Now at 15–19–2, there is too much ground to make up after their wretched start. There are too many teams in the Western Conference, the Canadian ones in particular, who have games in hand on Chicago, and given the talent level and inconsistent play of this team, the postseason will not happen.
If fans are hoping for any semblance of good news for the remainder of the 2021–22 season, it is the slight possibility that Interim General Manager Kyle Davidson can pull a rabbit out of a hat before the trade deadline, move some parts and find some decent returns. Fleury’s name will be frequently mentioned, but do not expect a team to mortgage their future to acquire him. Other possibilities to consider are winger Dominik Kubalik and defenseman Calvin de Haan. Do not count on a miracle move consisting of Kane or Jonathan Toews. Hawks fans, bundle up for yet another long and cold winter following this once proud franchise.