The Bruins remain undefeated with a narrow win over the Blackhawks
10 Observations: Bruins remain undefeated with narrow win over Blackhawks originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago
The Chicago Blackhawks allowed two goals in the third period and lost 3-0 to the Boston Bruins on Tuesday at the United Center.
Here are 10 observations about loss:
1. This wasn’t a very entertaining hockey game. Few points, poor power plays on both sides and not many exciting moments. The Blackhawks were shut out for the second time in three games.
2. The Blackhawks thought they had scored the game’s first goal in the first period, but Connor Bedard’s goal was disallowed after a successful offside challenge by Boston. It was really close and you could argue that it was a little inconclusive, even if it seemed like the right decision. It would also have been a power play goal. The celly was still cool though.
3. Brad Marchand tried to get under Bedard’s skin in the first meeting by preventing him from returning to the Chicago bench. No wonder he did the same thing in this match. That’s what Marchand does. I love how Bedard just smiled.
4. Petr Mrazek started in goal and was definitely busy. He faced 30 shots in two periods and the only goal he allowed was an incredible deflection off Pavel Zacha. He can’t change that. He has done his part.
5. Taylor Hall did not play after re-aggravating a shoulder injury he originally suffered in the second game of the season against Boston. He is expected to miss at least a few games and is listed on a week-to-week basis. The team placed him on injured reserve retroactive to Oct. 21, meaning he cannot return until the Arizona game on Oct. 30. A major defeat in the short term.
6. Brandon Carlo, who injured Hall on a blindside hit on Oct. 11, faced no consequences for his actions. There was no broadcast from the first meeting. I was a little surprised.
7. With Hall injured, the Blackhawks changed Bedard’s linemates. Nick Foligno and Tyler Johnson were his wingers. The trio was good together, but I’m not sure how long that will last.
8th. Philipp Kurashev made his season debut after missing the first six games due to a left wrist injury. He skated on the third line with Jason Dickinson and Corey Perry and also received a few penalties. I wouldn’t mind if he moved to the second line in the next game and let Andreas Athanasiou play with Bedard.
9. Last week, the Blackhawks faced an undefeated Colorado team that is now 6-0-0. On Saturday they lost to Vegas, which became the first defending Stanley Cup champion to start a season 6-0-0. On Tuesday, the Blackhawks lost 6-0 to a Bruins team. And on Friday they face the Golden Knights again. What an insanely brutal schedule.
10. A scary situation in the third period when Bruins forward Jakub Lauko took a hit in the face. He fell straight onto the bench and was bleeding profusely. I hope it’s not as serious as it seemed.
