10 observations: Blackhawks fall to Red Wings originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago
The Blackhawks lost to the Detroit Red Wings 5-3 on Saturday at the United Center.
Here are 10 observations from the loss:
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1. This loss stings for the Blackhawks. They generated a season-high 44 scoring chances at even strength, according to Natural Stat Trick, and allowed only 16 but the Red Wings capitalized on their opportunities and the Blackhawks did not. It's as simple as that.
2. Jonathan Bernier was terrific in his previous outing against the Blackhawks, stopping 24 of 25 shots for a save percentage of .960 in a 2-0 loss on Feb. 17. He picked up where he left off in this game by turning aside 33 of 36 shots for a save percentage of .917.
3. The Blackhawks completely dominated the Red Wings in the first period. They led in shot attempts (25-11), shots on goal (13-7), scoring chances (16-4), high-danger chances (5-1) and offensive zone possession time (2:49-1:09), according to Sportlogiq, and yet found themselves trailing 1-0. They deserved better.
4. The Red Wings were 0-for-39 on the power play over their last 14 games, which was tied for the second-longest drought in the NHL's expansion era (since 1967-68). They finally ended that by scoring on their first opportunity of the game when Christian Djoos made it 3-1 at the 18:27 mark of the second period.
5. Alex DeBrincat ended a mini three-game goal drought by scoring at the 13:53 mark of the second period to tie things up at 1-1. He now has six goals and eight assists in 11 games against his hometown team. His 14 points against the Red Wings are the most against any opponent in his career.
6. The turning point of the game came when Darren Helm scored 16 seconds after DeBrincat to make it 2-1. The Blackhawks didn't have a chance to build on that momentum, and the Red Wings eventually scored the next two goals to extend their lead to 4-1.
7. The Blackhawks had only one power play on Thursday and did not convert. They had just one power play again on Saturday, which came with 8:13 left in the third period when the deficit was 5-2, and did not record a shot on goal. The Blackhawks have the NHL's best power play at 32.8 percent and they've had only two opportunities in the last 120 minutes of hockey. That's where they generate momentum and they haven't been able to do so lately because of the lack of chances.
8. Malcolm Subban was rewarded with his second consecutive start for the first time all season after posting a 26-save shutout on Thursday, but he wasn't as sharp in this game, giving up five goals on 32 shots for a save percentage of .844.
9. The Blackhawks lost 15 of 45 faceoffs (33.3 percent) in Thursday's 2-0 win over Columbus. They got beat at the dot again on Saturday, losing 21 of 51 draws for a win percentage of 41.2.
10. The Red Wings rank 29th in blocked shots per 60 minutes at 10.8. They had eight blocked shots in the first period alone and finished with 20 total.
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