B.L.F. (Blowin’ Leads Fast): Panthers 6, Blackhawks 3 – March 15, 2021

The Chicago Blackhawks have an uncanny ability to blow multi-goal leads this season. Since February 1st, Chicago has blown seven of nine multi-goal leads (excluding empty-net goals). On Monday night, it was the Blackhawks leading 3-1 in the second period only to blow the lead with five unanswered goals from the Panthers, sealing a 6-3 loss. It’s the fourth loss to the Panthers this season (0-3-1) and sees Chicago’s record fall to 14-11-5 on the year. They see their cushion in the Central Division playoff race take a hit, sitting in fourth-place with 33 points and a .550 points percentage, just ahead of the Dallas Stars at .500 for points percentage.

Chicago is now 10-3-2 this season when scoring the game’s first goal, having lost both of their past two games to the Panthers after getting the first goal. They are also now 10-2-2 in the second game of two-game mini-series’ against the same team. Another stat update, the Blackhawks were out-shot 36-29 and have been out-shot in seven of their last eight games.

https://twitter.com/NBCSBlackhawks/status/1371604307729059841?s=20

Things got off to a great start with David Kämpf stripping Anthony Duclair of the puck and finding Patrick Kane for the game’s opening goal. And with that, Kane snapped a six-game goalless drought, while tallying career point No. 1,064 (moving him into fifth all-time amongst U.S.-born players).

The Panthers would tie the game on a pinball goal to make it 1-1 into the first intermission.

Chicago eventually jumped out to their 3-1 lead with goals from rookies Philipp Kurashev and Brandon Hagel in the second period.

Kurashev tallied his seventh goal of the season to make it a 2-1 game. Prior to tonight’s game, Kurashev had only found the back of the net twice since February 2nd.

Hagel notches his third goal of the season in unconventional fashion, with the primary assist coming from Dominik Kubalík. Hagel and Kubalík have combined to be a pretty formidable duo this season, complimenting the top-line duo of Kane and DeBrincat.

Less than three minutes later, the Panthers scored twice to tie it 3-3 into the third period. Then, in the final 20 minutes, the Panthers bully the Blackhawks and pot three more goals to close it out 6-3. Kevin Lankinen made 30 saves on 34 shots, seeing his record fall to 10-6-4 on the year. He wasn’t without fault on the night, but he played well enough for the Blackhawks to be in the game late, prior to shorthanded goal in the third period.

The biggest problem with the Blackhawks tonight was special teams. Chicago went 0-for-4 on the powerplay, allowing a shorthanded goal from Aleksander Barkov and having just four shots on goal over the course of the eight total powerplay minutes. On the penalty-kill, Chicago went just 1-for-3. This season, the Blackhawks are just 8-for-13 (61.5%) on the penalty-kill against the Panthers. Barkov, who killed the Blackhawks again tonight, has three goals and six assists in four games against Chicago this season.

Final Thoughts

•   Play Brandon Hagel on the powerplay. Things are happening with him on the ice. I don’t know why he is not getting a chance on the powerplay. After tonight, any changes should be on the table for the Blackhawks’ man-advantage units.

•  Sergei Bobrovsky made 26 saves on 29 shots faced, has won six games in-a-row, and is 7-0-1 in his last eight starts for the Panthers.

•   The Blackhawks have earned just one point against the Panthers this season, going 0-3-1 in four games. Against the Lightning this season, the Blackhawks are 1-3-1, making Chicago 1-6-2 against the state of Florida in 2021. Good news, the Blackhawks take on the Lightning next. Woot.

written by

Mario Tirabassi is a writer for Bleacher Nation. You can follow him on Twitter @Mario_Tirabassi.

more blackhawks news

Blackhawks 0, Senators 2 — Three Stars, Key Takeaways

Remember when the Blackhawks went to California for three games and started each game like they had 45 minutes of hockey to start caring? And dug a deep hole in each game that they were only able to escape from...

Blackhawks at Senators – Lineups, Broadcast Info, Game Thread

Don't look now, but the Chicago Blackhawks have won six of their last ten games. They still sit in second for the NHL draft lottery, but they're trending in the right direction; they're .500 in the month of March with...

These 3 Blackhawks Veterans Are Having Terrific Seasons

Entering Thursday night's action, the Chicago Blackhawks have the second-worst point percentage in the NHL -- even while they're 6-4-0 in their last 10 games. And they own the second-worst goal differential in the league (minus-76). It's been a long,...

28 on 28: Steve Larmer’s Rookie Season Remains the Blackhawks’ Standard

We're ten games away from the end of the 2023-24 regular season, and Connor Bedard continues to put up remarkable numbers for at age 18 in his first professional season. He will likely join Steve Larmer on the list of...

The Greatest Sports Watching Day of the Year, Next Year’s TV, an IceHogs Stunner, and Other Blackhawks Bullets

Congratulations, sports fans! Today, March 28, 2024 is the greatest sports viewing day of the calendar year. Hands down, lock it up, no competition. It's Opening Day in MLB and Sweet 16 day one in the NCAA men's basketball tournament....

NHL Notes: Penguins Paradox, Torts Apologizes, Doan’s Dazzling Debut, Rangers Punch Ticket, More

It's a mid-week edition of NHL Notes and we have plenty to cover around the league. The Penguins find themselves with a tricky decision as their season draws to a close. John Tortorella dished out an apology to one of...

We Need to Talk About Jason Dickinson As a Selke Trophy Candidate — Again

Back in early February as the Blackhawks wrapped their pre-All-Star Game schedule, I wrote about Jason Dickinson's case for Selke Trophy votes. We're now ten games away from the end of Chicago's regular season, and with Dickinson reaching 20 goals...

Slaggert’s Big Night, Bedard’s Tape, Felcman to Rockford, Anderson, Tinordi, and Other Blackhawks Bullets

I'm gonna continue to smile, just like Landon Slaggert, because of his performance in last night's Blackhawks win. The former Notre Dame captain had his parents and young brother in the stands and he had one helluva game last night....

Blackhawks 3, Flames 1 — Three Stars, Key Takeaways

The message Blackhawks head coach Luke Richardson was trying to get across with Monday's bag skate clearly landed. The start Chicago had on Tuesday night was a polar opposite of what they showed in the three games in California. They...

Blackhawks vs Flames – Lineups, Broadcast Info, Game Thread

After a disappointing road trip that saw the Blackhawks get smoked for 7 of 9 periods, the team got a bag skate on Monday to think about their effort. They'll get back on the ice tonight in front of a...

Latest News

Diamondbacks vs. Rockies: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

The Arizona Diamondbacks, with Merrill Kelly on the mound, square off against the Colorado Rockies (who will counter with Cal Quantrill) in their first game of the season, at 9:40 PM ET on Friday.Keep reading to find out all the...

Guardians vs. Athletics: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

The Cleveland Guardians, led by Jose Ramirez, take on Brent Rooker and the Oakland Athletics in their first game of the season, at 9:40 PM ET on Friday.Keep reading to see how to watch the Cleveland-Oakland matchup in the article...

How to Watch Mariners vs. Red Sox: Live Stream or on TV

Julio Rodriguez and the Seattle Mariners square off against Rafael Devers and the Boston Red Sox in their season opener on Friday, with first pitch at 9:40 PM ET.The article below will provide you with everything you need to watch...

Padres vs. Giants: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

At PETCO Park on Friday, the San Francisco Giants (0-1) face Fernando Tatis Jr. and the San Diego Padres (2-1) at 9:40 PM ET.If you're intending to watch this game, keep reading for streaming and TV options for the San...

Dodgers vs. Cardinals: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

On Friday, Mookie Betts and the Los Angeles Dodgers (2-1) play Paul Goldschmidt and the St. Louis Cardinals (0-1), with first pitch scheduled for 10:10 PM ET at Dodger Stadium.See how to watch the Los Angeles-St. Louis matchup below.When is...

OMG: Michael Busch Scored the 9th Inning, GO-AHEAD Run, Because He Just Never Stopped Running

That was absolutely incredible. To all the little kids out there, when your coach tells you to never stop running, this is why. Rookie Cubs 1B Michael Busch (the guy the Cubs got from the Dodgers this offseason to be...

Astros vs. Yankees: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

Cristian Javier will get the ball for the Houston Astros (0-1) when they host the New York Yankees (1-0), with Carlos Rodon on the mound, on Friday. First pitch is at 8:10 PM ET.Keep reading to see how to watch...

Rays vs. Blue Jays: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

Aaron Civale will get the start for the Tampa Bay Rays (0-1) when they host the Toronto Blue Jays (1-0), with Chris Bassitt on the mound, on Friday. First pitch is at 6:50 PM ET.Keep scrolling to find out all...

Enhanced Box Score: Rangers 4, Cubs 3 – March 28, 2024

It took exactly one day for the Cubs' ace to sustain what may be a significant injury, for their closer to blow a save, for the umpires to significantly impact the outcome of a critical play (this time in the...

Justin Steele Injury Update: New Classification, MRI Tomorrow, IL Stint Coming? Steele and Counsell Speak

A significant update on Justin Steele came from Craig Counsell tonight after the Cubs extra innings loss in Texas. In short: Yes, a stint on the Injured List is likely for Justin Steele. But we still don't know how severe...

more blackhawks news