If the Chicago Blackhawks put a lot of weight into rebounding immediately after allowing Sam Gagner to generate eight points, then Friday was a disappointing night.
The Calgary Flames topped them 3-1 to close out a forgettable set of back-to-back games for the ‘Hawks. It is an effort that might provide evidence of a team dealing with a bit of an identity crisis, at least if you ask ESPN Chicago’s Jesse Rogers.
The Blackhawks certainly began the game like a team dealing with the burden of embarrassment. Chicago out-shot the Flames 13-6 in the first period but only managed a 1-1 tie. Michael Frolik’s high-sticking double-minor allowed Jay Bouwmeester to score a power play goal in the second period and Calgary was able to nurse that lead as Jarome Iginla made it 3-1 midway through the third. That ended up being the final score, as Calgary handed Chicago its fifth consecutive loss (0-4-1).
There are plenty of ways to look at this, and I’ll be honest: most of them are fairly positive. Chicago put together a torrid tear following its last embarrassing loss to Edmonton, but the Blackhawks started it off with a frustrating 1-0 loss to the San Jose Sharks.
Going further, the Blackhawks began 2012 going 0-3-1 before a nice 5-0-1 run. Perhaps this team is just experiencing a hot-and-cold run that afflicts most - if not all - of the NHL’s teams.
Amid all that positivity, one must acknowledge red flags, though. The Blackhawks are an explosive team, but they’re beginning to resemble the “Seven Seconds or Less"* Phoenix Suns in that their offensive brilliance is accompanied by defensive incompetence.
If you’ll ask any person who ruined things for Bruce Boudreau in Washington, offense-first doesn’t work in the playoffs - period. Those types will be quick to doubt that the Blackhawks are a “true” Stanley Cup contender despite their jaw-dropping high-end talent and 2010 rings.
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Either way, there’s no denying that GM Stan Bowman is looking to give the team a little more balance by improving the defensive depth. Personally, I’m not too concerned in the grand scheme of things, but how do you feel about Chicago’s defensive worries?
* - Full disclosure: the Drew Doughty goal controversy makes me want to call the Los Angeles Kings the ".4 seconds or less” team, though.
