NEWSLETTER
The Chicago Blackhawks will host fans in the stands for the first time and last time this season on May 9th and 10th against the Dallas Stars. The games won’t matter for Chicago, they are out of the Central Division playoff chase after a 5-2 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes last night, but at least fans are back.
They have four games remaining this season, the two at home against the Stars and two more on the road against the Hurricanes. If you would have told me in January that the Blackhawks would be alive in the playoff hunt for 51 of 56 games this season, I would have probably jumped for joy. Yet today, it’s hard to wrap my head around how much of this season actually was a success for Chicago, when it comes to an end in the fashion it has.
Colliton on being eliminated: "It doesn't really change the message as far as what we're trying to do… We've got to use these games as an opportunity to continue to get better."
— Ben Pope (@BenPopeCST) May 4, 2021
• With last night’s loss, the Blackhawks have now dropped their last five games in-a-row (0-4-1) and have gone 10-17-2 since the beginning of March. The 22 points they have earned in the standings are tied for the second-fewest in the league along with the Anaheim Ducks and just two points more than the Buffalo Sabres.
• That’s more than just a bad stretch at the wrong time of the season, it’s two months of bad. Worse than bad, arguably league-worst.
• There have been bright spots along the way, but nothing to overshadow the consistent problems the Blackhawks have faced against good teams this season. Poor starts, missed defensive assignments, mediocre goaltending, and a powerplay that has fizzled-out against stronger competition.
• Some more numbers since March 1st:
⇒ 23rd ranked powerplay: 15.2%
⇒ 24th ranked penalty-kill: 77.6%
⇒ 27th ranked faceoff percentage: 46.3%
⇒ 27th ranked 5v5 Chances-For percentage: 46.0%
⇒ 24th ranked 5v5 PDO: 98.5
• Getting into more of the wonky numbers from the Blackhawks this season, The Athletic’s Mark Lazerus broke down 20 stats that truly reflect what a weird season it was for Chicago. Highly recommend checking it out in full.
• You ever have a day where you just want to chuck your phone into the nearest body of water and then crawl into a hole and hope tomorrow is better? That’s what the hockey world is doing to me right now.
• The Blackhawks play the Hurricanes tonight with nothing on the line.
• Collin Delia played last night in relief of Malcom Subban and stopped all 19 shots he faced. He probably starts tonight.
• Tom Wilson maimed Pavel Buchnevich and nearly killed Artemi Panarin last night and walks away with a $5,000 fine for his troubles.
https://twitter.com/HeresYourReplay/status/1389383405025079304?s=20
• $5,000 for a repeat offender making dangerous plays with no remorse. Sick league, the NHL is.
• Wilson is garbage and so is the Department of Player Safety.
• Connor McDavid is probably going to finish the season with 100+ points and that’s incredible. He should be the talk of the league today, but it’s going to be about Wilson.
…Connor McDavid🤯@cmcdavid97 became the third player in NHL history to record 30 goals and 60 assists in 50 games or fewer. His company? Pretty good. #NHLStats pic.twitter.com/i83m4d6qo3
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) May 4, 2021
• Cole Caufield is off to a hell of a start to his NHL career with two overtime winners as his first two career goals.
NHL players to score each of their first two career goals in overtime:
▪️ Albert Hughes (1930)
▪️ Brent Seabrook (2005)
▪️ @colecaufield (2021)End of list. #NHLStats pic.twitter.com/zhesfZcMAF
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) May 4, 2021
• Hopefully he never runs into Tom Wilson and doesn’t have his career shortened by a stupid and dangerous play.
• Congrats to the Sabres after last night’s win.
Monday was the Sabres first win in May since 2007.
— Paul Hamilton (@pham1717) May 4, 2021
• When’s the parade?
• I had so much more I wanted to say, but I’m so over this league today. Blackhawks and Hurricanes play at 6:00 p.m. tonight, watch at your own risk.
