The Blackhawks were shut out by the St. Louis Blues 1-0 at Enterprise Center on Saturday and remain winless (0-7-2) through nine games.
Here are 10 observations from the loss:
1. The Blackhawks allowed 17 scoring chances at even strength in the first period, according to Natural Stat Trick. They gave up 22 in the next two periods combined for a game total of 39, which is the most even-strength scoring chances they've given up in a game this season. Their previous high was 38 in the season-opening loss to Colorado.
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2. On the flip side, the Blackhawks generated 29 scoring chances of their own at even strength. It was their highest total of the season. Their previous high was 26 on Oct. 21 against Vancouver. And yet they couldn't find the scoresheet. Tough to swallow.
3. Marc-Andre Fleury has not had a great start to this season. But he was vintage Flower on Saturday night, stopping the first 30 shots he faced and finishing with 36 saves on 37 shots for a save percentage of .973. Nineteen of those shots came from the slot, according to Sportlogiq. A much-needed confidence-building performance for the reigning Vezina Trophy winner.
4. The Blues scored at least three goals in each of their first six games. They ranked No. 1 entering the day with a Goals For per game of 4.67. The Blackhawks held them to just one goal.
5. The Blues are giving up an average of 35.3 shots per game, which ranks second-worst in the NHL. The Blackhawks recorded only four shots on goal in the opening frame and finished with 25.
NHL
6. The difference came down to special teams. The Blackhawks went 0-for-3 on the power play and the Blues went 1-for-2 on their two chances, breaking the 0-0 tie at the 7:25 mark of the third period.
7. Kirby Dach had a rough night at the faceoff circle. He lost all eight of his draws.
8. The Blackhawks' fourth line of MacKenzie Entwistle, Adam Gaudette and Reese Johnson had a tough night. When the three of them were on the ice at even strength, the Blues led in shot attempts (9-0), shots on goal (6-0) and scoring chances (5-0).
9. Head coach Jeremy Colliton separated the pairing of Jake McCabe and Connor Murphy for the first time this season. McCabe was paired with rookie Isaak Phillips and Murphy with Erik Gustafsson. It was time to try something different.
10. Tyler Johnson did not play in this game after leaving Friday's contest early. The team called it neck soreness, and it's unclear how long he'll be out for.
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