NEWSLETTER
It was Marian Hossa’s night at the United Center, and nothing would rain on that parade. Not even a lackluster performance by the guys in the red home sweaters against a comparable Seattle Kraken squad that, despite playing just last night in St. Louis, outshot the Blackhawks 17-3 in the opening period.
Kevin Lankinen looked good in the opening frame stopping 17 Seattle shots, including five danger changes for the Kraken. After Lankinen, it was a whole lot of nothing for the Blackhawks, who opened the game with their top line on the ice looking for a spark, but it was nowhere to be found as they quickly found themselves getting outshot 7-1 in the first six minutes of the game.
The announcement that the Blackhawks would be retiring Marian Hossa’s No. 81 next season drew the loudest ovation of the night, with the crowd erupting to the announcement on the video board during a stoppage in play midway through the first period. Why not, right? Hossa was, as Rocky Wirtz said before the game, “a catalyst for three Stanley Cups in Chicago.” With the fan base wholly aware that there won’t be another one of those in Chicago for a while, nights like these, where they can revel in the glory of yesteryears, will always draw the most resounding responses.
Marian Hossa gets a roaring ovation from the United Center crowd as it's a announced that his No. 81 will be retired next season. #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/cvT039b1lA
— Patrick K. Flowers (@PatrickKFlowers) April 8, 2022
The Blackhawks squandered four minutes of power-play action to end the second period, and Seattle’s early second-period goal would serve as the deciding score until late in the third period.
Patrick Kane and then Seth Jones took turns getting turned away by the post and the crossbar on a late third period power-play opportunity, but there was no luck there all evening as the Blackhawks finished 0-for-4 on the man-advantage.
A late Jordan Eberle goal would make it 2-0 Seattle where it would end.
Derek King said that the Blackhawks’ performance wasn’t good enough tonight regardless of where they sit in the standings, and Alex DeBrincat echoed his sentiment. King said that the Blackhawks can’t “fold the tent” down the stretch, and that’ll be a message after an off day tomorrow for the team.
Derek King admits, “we all get paid pretty good money to be a part of this team, so you don't just fold the tent. That'lll be the message.” pic.twitter.com/zkvEAbA3Fj
— Patrick K. Flowers (@PatrickKFlowers) April 8, 2022
But again, the fans in attendance tonight didn’t come here to see the one rebuilding team be slightly better than another rebuilding team; they came to soak in some nostalgia and see one of the favorite players of all time earn his respective role in the franchise’s history books.
So, like he had countless times before, Marian Hossa sent the fans at the United Center home happy tonight, regardless of the box score.
You can find the complete box score here!
