10 observations: Hawks shut out on Hockey Fights Cancer Night originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago
The Blackhawks were shut out by the San Jose Sharks 2-0 at the United Center on Sunday.
Here are 10 observations from the loss:
1. The Blackhawks were very clearly the better team in the first and third periods, where they outshot the Sharks by a combined 20-7. The difference was the second period, where the Sharks led in shots on goal (15-8) and scoring chances (15-9), according to Natural Stat Trick.
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2. The Blackhawks recorded 76 shot attempts. The Sharks blocked 32 of those shots, James Reimer stopped all 29 shots he faced and the other 15 attempts missed the net. In comparison, the Sharks had 49 shot attempts and 22 shots on goal.
3. The offensive struggles continued for the Blackhawks, who also went 0-for-2 on the power play. But it wasn't for a lack of effort. They generated nine shot attempts, five shots on goal, three scoring chances and two high-danger chances on their two opportunities. At some point they have to break through again.
4. The Blackhawks allowed only four shots on goal in the first period. Dating back to Friday's game against St. Louis, they gave up only 13 shots on goal over their last 63:19 of hockey.
5. The first line of Brandon Hagel, Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews did everything but score. When the three of them were on the ice together at even strength, the Blackhawks led in shot attempts (18-7), shots on goal (7-2), scoring chances (8-4) and high-danger chances (3-1).
6. The fourth line of Ryan Carpenter, Mike Hardman and Reese Johnson played 6:28 of even-strength time together. The Sharks outshot the Blackhawks 7-0 when they were on the ice.
7. The Blackhawks had 8:07 of offensive zone possession time, according to Sportlogiq. The Sharks had 4:03. The Blackhawks also had nine scoring chances off the rush compared to San Jose's two.
8. Jujhar Khaira had four shots on goal on Sunday and three shots on goal on Friday. He had only 13 shots on goal in his first 13 games. He's been playing well, and his line with Henrik Borgstrom and Dominik Kubalik was terrific in this game.
9. Sharks general manager Doug Wilson announced on Friday that he is taking a temporary leave of absence for medical reasons. The former Blackhawks great was recently inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. Wishing him and speedy recovery.
10. The Blackhawks celebrated Hockey Fights Cancer Night on Sunday, and Troy Murray dropped the ceremonial first puck along with 15-year-old Devin Pittges, who's a fan from Niles and is in remission after his fight against Osteosarcoma.
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