NEWSLETTER
For as good as the Blackhawks looked during chunks of last night’s loss to the Islanders, their third-period performance was lifeless and uninspiring, as they allowed three goals to New York in a 4-1 defeat. The lone Blackhawks’ goal came in garbage time from MacKenzie Entwistle, but the game was long over by then (it ended after the Blackhawks allowed the Islanders an early third-period goal that just sucked the life from the Chicago bench). The Blackhawks are now winless through four games (0-3-1), but that just means there’s more to discuss this morning.
• First, let’s talk about this reaction for Jeremy Colliton before the game:
Yikes. pic.twitter.com/Aj3vkgN7KF
— Mark Lazerus (@MarkLazerus) October 20, 2021
Surprising? No, not at all. The Blackhawks came into the United Center winless after a summer of excitement and anticipation, and the team has looked scrambled in the infancy of the 2021-22 season. Admittedly, the fan base was never high on Jeremy Colliton after replacing a living legend in Chicago, Joel Quenneville. Still, the fan angst with the fourth-year head coach has reached a boiling point in Chicago.
• For reasons like this:
Wahlstrom doing some work behind the goal, pops out to Beauvillier who finishes #Isles pic.twitter.com/Sj3e4iETNs
— Eyes on Isles (@eyesonislesFS) October 20, 2021
• You have two Hawks and one Islander behind the net, working for the loose puck, with Gustaffson in the crease to the right of Ilya Sorokin. For some reason, Gustaffson decides to leave the crease and engage behind the net and knocks the puck to New York forward Anthony Beauvillier, who then deposits an easy goal past Marc-André Fleury. This goal gave the Islanders a 1-0 lead early in the second period. To me, this play was deflating for the Blackhawks, who, to that point, had played a drastically improved game defensively versus the first three contests. You’re tied, at home, playing good defense, and the offense was starting to figure things out in 5-on-5 on the other end — and then Gustafsson makes a bone-headed play that gives the Isles an easy goal in front of the net.
• Goal No. 2 for the Islanders was another self-inflicted wound for the Blackhawks early in the third period.
Stop me if you've heard this before; a #Blackhawks give-away leads to an opposing goal. Borgy with the turnover, #Isles lead 2-0 under a minute into the third period. Both New York goals have come unassisted tonight.
— Bleacher Nation Blackhawks (@BN_Blackhawks) October 20, 2021
• Henrik Borgström, who in all fairness was playing very well up to this point, committed a bad turnover in the Blackhawks defensive zone, and New York made him pay for it with a quick goal by Oliver Wahlstrom. This one was the killer that made it 2-0 Isles just 48 seconds into the third period.
Steals. Dekes. Scores.
Oliver Wahlstrom does it all here. #NHLFaceOff
📺: @espn ➡️ https://t.co/uz3OgPkODD pic.twitter.com/1ri0ePM8w2
— NHL (@NHL) October 20, 2021
• Yes, terrible pass by Borgy. One that we’ve seen too many times from this collective group early in the season — but what the hell was Jake McCabe doing on that play!? Does that guy ever stay on his feet? I guess it doesn’t matter because here he is in a prime position to defend a shot and on his feet:
Holy hell what a pass by Jean-Gabriel Pageau to Wahlstrom for the snipe.
Incredible. #Isles pic.twitter.com/FYfd3AG8Ub
— Eyes on Isles (@eyesonislesFS) October 20, 2021
• Come on, man! Here’s where we have to have an uncomfortable conversation about Marc-André Fleury being the innocent victim that we might have believed he is through his first two starts. Yes, the defense has been about as bad as they could be in front of him. Yes, he’s been subjected to 75 shots on goal through six and a half periods. But, come on — you’ve got to be better than this. Fleury was baffled by that Jean-Gabriel Pageau, and McCabe was, well, McCabe-ing. Yes, that’s a thing at this point.
• This game was all but over at this point, but here’s Cal Clutterbuck’s snipe job, which was, again, a softie allowed by Fleury despite Riley Stillman taking a spill in the neutral zone and losing his stick, giving Clutterbuck a lane.
Cluttebuck challenging Oliver Wahlstrom for team sniper?
What a shot by Cal Clutterbuck off the rush.#Isles pic.twitter.com/dNtLnKN7f1
— Eyes on Isles (@eyesonislesFS) October 20, 2021
• You reap what you sow:
The remaining fans boo the team off the ice. Rough times for the Blackhawks. pic.twitter.com/mwFSnDe3Rb
— Mark Lazerus (@MarkLazerus) October 20, 2021
• Best wishes for Mike Hardman, who left the ice after a big hit and entered into concussion protocol.
Hardman is heading to the locker room after taking a big hit and looking wobbly and disoriented. Khaira and Martin each get five for the ensuing festivities, but both teams remain at full strength on the ice. #Blackhawks #Isles
— Bleacher Nation Blackhawks (@BN_Blackhawks) October 20, 2021
• Lost in the defensive blunders and third-period meltdown, the offense was substantially better in 5-on-5 play tonight despite not converting anything into goals on the scoreboard.
5-on-5 has looked much better tonight. The high-danger chances are there, as are the shots. The Blackhawks just have to convert, and you gotta believe that if they keep the heat on Sorokin, that’s going to happen in the 3rd period. #Blackhawks #Isles https://t.co/eujWbL7gQd
— Patrick K. Flowers (@PatrickKFlowers) October 20, 2021
• Sure, Jeremy. Sure.
“We want to win, so I understand people care. We’re just going to dig in and keep responding.” – Jeremy Colliton on hearing boos during the Blackhawks home opener. pic.twitter.com/Y9nNEwW50C
— Phillip Thompson (@_phil_thompson) October 20, 2021
• Get to know the Cubs’ new GM, Carter Hawkins.
The Cubs president offers a little more insight on the hiring of the new Cubs General Manager. https://t.co/qI83JDg7yX
— Bleacher Nation (@BleacherNation) October 20, 2021
• Development isn’t always linear. Justin Fields is the future under center in Chicago, and while the strides haven’t been rapid, growth has been there for the rookie QB.
Justin Fields is a work in progress. But so long as we continue to see growth, there’s no denying the arrow is pointing up. https://t.co/SpAURtNLnQ
— Bleacher Nation Bears (@BN_Bears) October 20, 2021
• The Bulls tip-off tonight in Detroit at 6:00 (CT) on NBC Sports Chicago. Make sure you’re following Eli and Bleacher Nation Bulls all season long!
Chicago Bulls basketball is back. https://t.co/PAX2umuRbR
— Bleacher Nation Bulls (@BN_Bulls) October 20, 2021
That’s it for today!
