10 observations: Blackhawks rally but fall to Avalanche in OT originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago
The Blackhawks fell to the Colorado Avalanche 4-3 in overtime at the United Center on Tuesday.
Here are 10 observations from the loss:
1. Blackhawks interim head coach Derek King changed up all four lines and three defensemen pairings. Here's a look at what they were to start the game:
• Line 1: Brandon Hagel — Henrik Borgstrom — Patrick Kane
• Line 2: Alex DeBrincat — Jonathan Toews — Dominik Kubalik
• Line 3: Philipp Kurashev — Kirby Dach — MacKenzie Entwistle
• Line 4: Jujhar Khaira — Dylan Strome — Ryan Carpenter
• Pairing 1: Jake McCabe — Seth Jones
• Pairing 2: Calvin de Haan — Connor Murphy
• Pairing 3: Caleb Jones — Riley Stillman
2. It was all Avalanche in the first period. They went into intermission with a 2-0 lead and led in shot attempts (28-7), shots on goal (14-5), scoring chances (12-1) and high-danger chances (5-0), according to Natural Stat Trick.
3. The ice completely tilted to the home team in the second period, where the Blackhawks cut their lead in half and dominated in shot attempts (27-14), shots on goal (17-7), scoring chances (17-6) and high-danger chances (11-1).
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4. Marc-Andre Fleury made his first start since Dec. 17 after being sidelined while in COVID-19 protocol. He was solid despite allowing four goals on 33 shots. His best two saves came in the first period on Mikko Rantanen and Tyson Jost.
5. Early in the third period, Kane connected with DeBrincat twice in a 40-second span on the power play to give Chicago a 3-2 lead. DeBrincat now has 20 goals on the season; Kane has recorded the primary assist on 13 of those.
6. The Avalanche rank sixth in 5-on-5 high-danger chances against per 60 minutes at 9.51. The most they had given up in a game this season is 14. The Blackhawks had 11 in the second period alone and finished with 13 total.
7. Connor Murphy dropped the gloves just 3:03 into the game with Gabriel Landeskog, who was suspended two games for laying a hit on Kirby Dach in the season opener. A little revenge.
8. The Blackhawks allowed 13 rush chances against Calgary on Sunday. They allowed 12 to Colorado. Too many, although the Flames and Avalanche are two of the NHL's best off the rush.
9. Kirby Dach won his first six faceoffs. He then lost 14 of the next 16.
10. Erik Johnson scored twice and Cale Makar potted the overtime winner for Colorado. The Avalanche lead the NHL in goals from their defensemen this season at 32. The Blackhawks have nine.
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