Going Streaking, Sizing Up The Blackhawks, Delia’s New Digs, and Other Blackhawks Bullets

With six points in the standings, the Chicago Blackhawks sit in a five-way tie (alongside the Predators, Stars, Panthers, and Lightning) for second place in the Central Division through their first seven games of the season. For Chicago to be in this mix this early is good, but just remember: they have only two wins through seven games … it’s not quite as promising as it seems on the surface. Then again, even though they’ve lost five of seven, they have earned points in their last four straight.

•   In what figures to still be a very trying season for the Blackhawks, finding positives and avenues of confidence to build on is important. Having a four-game points streak is a confidence booster. But dropping a game in which you held the lead, twice, takes a chunk out of that confidence. The Predators were the better team on Tuesday night and they were eventually rewarded as such.

•   Very few positives could be taken away from last night’s overtime loss to the Predators. The overwhelmingly standout performance of the night was from goaltender Malcolm Subban. Making 36 of 39 saves in his first game action since the opening night of the season, Subban didn’t make it look easy at times, but he came up big for Chicago on numerous Nashville chances.

•   Getting to overtime was one thing, but the Blackhawks had a breakdown in the final moments of the game between Dylan Strome and Patrick Kane in their defensive zone. Roman Josi capitalized on a missed defensive assignment and drove to the net for the game-winner. Strome and Kane are not what you would call defensive stalwarts, but the breakdown still can’t happen in crunch-time.

•   It was a fitting end to a terrible night for Kane. For just the seventh time in his career, he went an entire game without a shot on goal. How does that even happen?

•   Expect that to not be the case on Wednesday night in the rematch.

•   Head coach Jeremy Colliton, who has been relatively calm in his postgame press conferences this season, even after losses, was particularly upset after the loss to the Predators. He mentioned players like Kane and Nikita Zadorov that needed to be better. Basically, to Colliton, everyone besides Subban didn’t have the kind of game they needed to.

•   Special teams is heading in the right direction for the Blackhawks though. The powerplay remains red-hot, scoring in their seventh-straight game to start the season. The Blackhawks hold the league’s second-best powerplay with a 42.9% success rate. They trail only the Dallas Stars. On the penalty-kill, after going 4-for-4 against the Predators on Tuesday night, Chicago ranks 21st in the NHL with a 75.9% kill-rate.

•   Lucas Carlsson made his season debut against the Predators on Tuesday night, but I wouldn’t necessarily pencil him in as the full-time replacement for Adam Boqvist while he is in COVID protocol. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Nicolas Beaudin or Wyatt Kalynuk to get a chance to play in the coming days.

•   In net, while Lankinen was the hot hand for three games for the Blackhawks, Subban made a big comeback statement in the overtime loss to the Predators. Will we see a shot at redemption for Collin Delia on Wednesday night? Delia has been the odd-man out since making his two starts against the Lightning and Panthers earlier this month. With Subban and Lankinen making strides forward, you’d hope that Delia gets the opportunity to make his mark.

•   Speaking of getting Delia back in net, it would give him an opportunity to debut his brand new mask, which is AWESOME if I do say so myself.

•   The Athletic has done an annual post calculating the ages, nationalities, and sizes of players that make up the NHL and how is breaks down team by team. You can find this year’s edition here. On average, the Chicago Blackhawks rank eighth-youngest (26.9 years old), third-shortest (72.6″), and the lightest (190.7 pounds) team in the league this season.

•   But hey, here’s a laugh from last night to end today with: Pat Foley calling Mattias Janmark “Calle Järnkrok” three times on his breakaway goal last night!

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

Washington State vs. Illinois Women’s Basketball: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

Two hot teams meet when the Washington State Cougars (21-14) host the Illinois Fighting Illini (17-15) on April 1, 2024. The Cougars will put their three-game win streak on the line against the Fighting Illini, who have won three straight.On...

Villanova vs. Penn State Women’s Basketball: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

The Villanova Wildcats (21-12) will try to extend a three-game winning streak when they host the Penn State Lady Lions (22-12) on April 1, 2024. The Lady Lions have also won three games in a row.In its previous game, Villanova...

Brewers vs. Mets Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Friday, March 29, 2024

The Milwaukee Brewers are moneyline favorites (-110) to begin their season with a road win over the New York Mets on Friday at 1:40 PM ET, live on SNY.Freddy Peralta takes the mound for Milwaukee while Jose Quintana is New...

Braves vs. Phillies Probable Starting Pitchers – March 29

The Philadelphia Phillies (0-0) host the Atlanta Braves (0-0) in an Opening Day game at 3:05 PM ET on Friday.The Braves will look to Spencer Strider against the Phillies and Zack Wheeler.Braves vs. Phillies Pitcher Matchup and Game InfoWhen: Friday,...

Suns vs. Thunder Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats and Best Bets – Friday, March 29, 2024

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder (50-22) are 2.5-point underdogs against Kevin Durant and the Phoenix Suns (43-30) Friday, March 29, 2024 at Paycom Center. The game starts at 8:00 PM ET on KSBI. The matchup's point total is...

Brewers vs. Mets Probable Starting Pitchers – March 29

The Milwaukee Brewers (0-0) begin their 2024 season with a road matchup against the New York Mets (0-0) on Friday, with first pitch at 1:40 PM ET.The Brewers will give the nod to Freddy Peralta versus the Mets and Jose...

Cavaliers vs. 76ers Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Friday, March 29, 2024

The Philadelphia 76ers (39-34) are 8-point underdogs against the Cleveland Cavaliers (44-29) at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse on Friday, March 29, 2024. The game starts at 7:30 PM ET on NBCS. The matchup's point total is set at 212.5.Our computer predictions...

Heat vs. Trail Blazers Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Friday, March 29, 2024

The Portland Trail Blazers (19-54) will attempt to end an eight-game losing streak when they visit the Miami Heat (39-33) on Friday, March 29, 2024 at FTX Arena as heavy, 14-point underdogs. The contest airs at 8:00 PM ET on...

Rockets vs. Jazz Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Friday, March 29, 2024

The Utah Jazz (29-44) will try to end a seven-game losing streak when they host the Houston Rockets (37-35) on Friday, March 29, 2024 at Vivint Smart Home Arena as 7.5-point underdogs. The contest airs at 9:30 PM ET on...

Bulls vs. Nets Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Friday, March 29, 2024

The Chicago Bulls (35-38) hit the court against the Brooklyn Nets (28-45) as 5.5-point favorites on Friday, March 29, 2024 at 7:30 PM ET on NBCS. The matchup has an over/under set at 214.5 points.Before you place an informed wager...

more blackhawks news