Five Things from Blackhawks-Bruins: Early errors costly

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BOSTON –The Blackhawks know all about starts and how important they are. And on Thursday, they just didn’t have it to start.

The Blackhawks didn’t have enough and the Bruins had plenty in Boston’s 4-2 victory. The Blackhawks don’t gain ground but they remain in first in the Central Division, two points ahead of Dallas and St. Louis.

So before we head home for one game – yeah, that’s it before hitting the road again – let’s look at Five Things to take from the Blackhawks’ loss to the Bruins.

1. Too messy early. The Blackhawks made some turnovers in this one and the Bruins were happy to take advantage. Scott Darling could have had a better outing, too. In all it made for a bad combination for the Blackhawks, who were hoping to take Wednesday’s momentum into this one but did not.

2. Tomas Fleischmann scores his first with the Blackhawks. Fleischmann has looked good in his brief time with the Blackhawks. He’s formed some good chemistry with Teuvo Teravainen – those two were with Fleischmann’s Montreal teammate Dale Weise when Fleischmann scored. Coach Joel Quenneville likes what he’s seen from Fleischmann, who’s carving his niche on that third line.

[RELATED: Blackhawks struggle early in loss to Bruins]

3. Andrew Ladd fitting right in again. Was there ever any doubt? Well a little maybe. Sometimes when you try to recapture lightning in a bottle it doesn’t work but so far, Ladd hasn’t missed a beat. The intuitiveness between him and Jonathan Toews is obvious, and Ladd has apoint in his first three games back with the Blackhawks (goal, two assists).

4. Teravainen continues to shine. Last weekend general manager Stan Bowman reiterated that Teravainen is a part of this team going forward, the vote-of-confidence, as it were. Teravainen has been great since then. Perhaps being back at center and quick chemistry with line mates has helped. Whatever the case, Teravainen is looking surer of himself out there.

5. The good/bad of special teams. The Blackhawks power play once again came up with a goal and their penalty kill once again gave one up (in five seconds). Interesting how these two are going in different directions this season.

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