Blackhawks 1, Capitals 6 — Three Stars, Key Takeaways

The Washington Capitals blew a 3-0 lead to the Columbus Blue Jackets earlier this week. But John Carlson was making his first appearance since Dec. 23 and Trevor van Riemsdyk was coming back after missing his first game of the year and certainly, certainly, they wouldn’t make the same mistake again against Chicago… right? The Blackhawks obliged them with one of the softest performances of their season.

Star 1: Anton Khudobin

It’s been 21 days — three weeks — since the Blackhawks acquired Khudobin from Dallas in the Max Domi trade. And there he was, rolling out to start his first game with Chicago with an Ecto Cooler colored mask. His performance? Yeah… a reminder that he should be third on the depth chart — in Rockford. At least we can laugh at moments like this because there’s nothing on the line, right?

Oh no, Anton Khudobin gives it right to Conor Sheary, who scores maybe the easiest goal of his NHL career. #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/B86bRzHg2X

— Charlie Roumeliotis (@CRoumeliotis) March 23, 2023

Star 2: Jarred Tinordi

The dude’s a warrior and absolutely keeps things in check when people start taking shots at the Blackhawks physically. He stepped up to Tom Wilson tonight and Wilson, though he did have a brief conversation about it, did not appear to want the smoke. I don’t know if/how the Blackhawks can make him work on the roster next year with so many young defensemen ready to matriculate their way up to the NHL, but you can tell everybody in the room loves the guy — including head coach Luke Richardson.

Star 3: Kyle Davidson

Takeaways

• Philipp Kurashev on on the wrong if an “accidental” head shot from renown head hunter Wilson in the first period. He looked dazed immediately and did not return to the game. Will the league look at this from a repeat offender? It took Kurashev out of the game and there are plenty of highlights out there for folks to see.

#Blackhawks announce Philipp Kurashev will miss the rest of the game. https://t.co/NlwCSCM1er

— Charlie Roumeliotis (@CRoumeliotis) March 24, 2023

• Nikita Zaitsev scored his first goal with the Blackhawks. So he’s got that going for him… which is nice.

• In the “Defensemen Who Play Defense” category (note: contrast), Connor Murphy had another good night. He led the team in blocked shots and had a couple big hits when the Blackhawks needed some energy. For about the tenth time this week, if the Blackhawks are going to name a new captain at some point in the next couple years, Murph would get my vote.

• For those concerned parties, the Sharks are at the Canucks later tonight. Tank on, kids!