Now until the end of the season, the Blackhawks are in must-win territory if they have any shot at making the playoffs.
On Wednesday night, they picked up one point but not the other in a 3-2 overtime loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs at the United Center.
The Blackhawks finished their six-game homestand with a 1-4-1 record, picking up three out of a possible 12 points, and are now six points behind a wild card spot.
"It was a tough homestand when you look at it points-wise, games that were valuable situations as far as keeping us in the race and now we put ourselves in a tremendous hole," coach Joel Quenneville said after the game.
Among the good on Wednesday?
The Blackhawks went 2-for-4 on the power play after going 0-for-16 in their previous five games. Brent Seabrook and Nick Schmaltz scored for the home team.
Jeff Glass also did his part, stopping 33 of 36 shots. The game-winner came by William Nylander, who scored six seconds into overtime on a penalty shot.
NHL
Maybe getting away from home will be a good thing?
The Blackhawks' next four games will come on the road, beginning on Thursday night against the Detroit Red Wings, which you can watch on NBC Sports Chicago.
"There’s time to get on a run, to get excited, and then go from there," Quenneville said.