4 Takeaways: Blackhawks trending downward during vital stretch

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Patrick Kane picked up two assists, but the Blackhawks lost 5-3 to the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday. Here are four takeaways: 

Losing ground

After losing the first two games in regulation of their current five-game road trip - which ends in Winnipeg on Sunday - the Hawks are six points out of the second wild card spot in the Western Conference. They've also lost four straight games (0-2-2). 

The Hawks were unable to capitalize on Tuesday's game with Oilers center Connor McDavid, who suffered a quad injury in Saturday's game against the Nashville Predators, out of the lineup.

A shorthanded goal from Jonathan Toews and two assists from Patrick Kane wouldn't be enough to grab a win. 

Ryan Carpenter hit Jonathan Toews with a circle-to-circle sauce pass that Toews finished off for a shorthanded goal at 14:19 of the first to give the Hawks a 2-1 lead. 

Power Play's a problem 

The struggling Blackhawks power play - fourth worst in the league entering Tuesday's game at 15% - had another rough night. The Hawks went 0-for-3 in Edmonton. If they want to reverse the trend and finish the road trip strong to get back in playoff contention, the power play is where they need to improve.

"We turned the puck over and couldn't get the puck back, didn't get set the first two," Blackhawks head coach Jeremy Colliton said of the power play following the game. "But the third was better, we moved it clean — which is the biggest thing. Smitty in front and Kuby's a shooter, adds a little different look. It showed that we have something."

88 moves up to 88

Kane moved up to No. 88 on the NHL's all-time points list Tuesday after grabbing two assists to put him at 1,007 for his career.

Kane nearly had a breakaway shortly after Riley Sheahan scored 1:13 into the game to put the Oilers ahead 1-0, but when it wasn't there he found Brandon Saad who was crashing the net at 5:56 of the first period to tie it 1-1.  

Kane also set up defenseman Adam Boqvist for a goal at 1:45 of the second period to put the Hawks ahead 3-2. 

Strome scratched

Blackhawks forward Dylan Strome was a healthy scratch for the first time since joining the team last November. 

"Think he's got more to give," Colliton said before the game. "As a staff, it's our job to help him get there. Combination of feedback and, sometimes, you've got to come out. You want to get (Alex) Nylander back in, and (Matthew) Highmore's played well, other guys have played well."

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