NEWSLETTER
The final game of the calendar year was a perfect summary of the year for the Chicago Blackhawks. Special teams were a debacle; the Blackhawks gave up a power play goal in the first period, a short-handed goal in the second and a goal late in the second period just after another empty advantage. The goaltending kept this game closer than it should have been, and the Blackhawks’ inability to score on five power plays was par for the course. The tank was strong in this one, folks.
Star 1: Kyle Davidson
What do the Blackhawks need to do at this point in the season? Lose games, see growth from young players and raise individual trade value. Columbus is the closest team in the Blackhawks’ rearview mirror for the best draft lottery odds, so losing this game . So… lose the game — check. Andreas Athanasiou scored a goal — check. First NHL point and another strong game from Isaak Phillips — check.
Star 2: Alex Stalock
At this point in the season, as we turn the page to the new calendar year, I am fully comfortable with Stalock being the Blackhawks’ No. 1 goalie the rest of the way. He’s shown that he still has game and is doing everything he can every night to keep his team and it’s lack of offense in games. And he’s more entertaining in the crease than Petr Mrazek (respectfully).
Star 3: Seth Jones
This star is completely tongue and cheek. He took a couple early penalties and then played the Blue Jackets’ second goal — while the Blackhawks were on the power play — as poorly as possible. I know the Jackets traded him to Chicago, but he helped them about as much as he did the Blackhawks in this one.
