The Blackhawks had been blown out for the second time in three days Sunday after struggling that destiny solely as soon as of their first 35 video games.
The ejection of ahead Tyler Bertuzzi within the second interval completely shifted the momentum within the Hawks’ 5-1 loss to the Stars, who took the lead 12 seconds into the following five-minute energy play and by no means seemed again.
The Hawks have been outscored 11-3 of their final two video games — they misplaced to the Sabres 6-2 on Friday — and can head into the Winter Traditional on Tuesday in ugly type. Earlier than the vacation break, a 6-3 loss Oct. 22 to the Canucks had been the one recreation wherein they weren’t in putting distance within the third interval.
‘‘It’s been powerful after the break,’’ ahead Teuvo Teravainen stated. ‘‘A few actually dangerous video games. Fairly disappointing.’’
The Hawks performed effectively within the first interval and took a short-lived lead on a power-play objective by Connor Bedard, however they misplaced all power after Bertuzzi’s elbowing penalty towards former Hawks ahead Colin Blackwell. It was a comparatively innocuous hit to be upgraded to a significant after assessment, and Teravainen stated he didn’t suppose it ought to have been.
The Stars then pulled away early within the third interval, scoring twice towards goalie Arvid Soderblom in a three-minute stretch wherein defenseman Seth Jones stated the Hawks ‘‘simply sucked.’’
Interim coach Anders Sorensen used the identical ahead strains he used Friday, exemplifying one distinction between him and former coach Luke Richardson, who grew to become a serial shuffler in his last months. Sorensen stated Saturday he wished to ‘‘give guys one other alternative to redeem themselves.’’ That didn’t occur, however the line combos weren’t actually accountable.
He did change the defensive pairs, nevertheless, and followers had been bewildered to see Jones and T.J. Brodie — two veterans who’ve struggled recently — on the highest pair.
Their confusion proved justified, as each endured tough nights but once more. Jones was a minus-three and Brodie a minus-two. Sorensen later admitted the 2 ‘‘may very well be higher.’’
For that matter, Bedard was a minus-four, though Sorensen stated ‘‘a few of [the goals] weren’t essentially on him.’’
I requested Anders Sorensen his thought course of behind the Brodie-Jones pairing.
“We have favored Allan and Murph collectively, and we have favored Vlas and Crevs collectively. There it’s.”
How did it go?
“May very well be higher.”
— Ben Pope (@BenPopeCST) December 30, 2024
Bertuzzi’s surge
Other than his ejection, Bertuzzi has been a vibrant spot not too long ago, arguably benefitting greater than any Hawks participant from the teaching change and all it has introduced. The additional offensive-zone possession time provides him extra alternatives to get arrange within the crease.
Bertuzzi has 9 factors — together with six objectives — in 11 video games underneath Sorensen after notching an help on Bedard’s objective within the first interval.
Traditional anticipation
The Hawks will head exterior Monday to apply on the finished Wrigley Area rink, acclimating to the floor earlier than the Winter Traditional on Tuesday.
As a result of Soderblom began in objective Sunday, Petr Mrazek possible will begin Tuesday towards the Blues, who misplaced to the Sabres 4-2 of their last recreation earlier than the large occasion. As we’ve known all along, it gained’t precisely be a powerful on-ice matchup.
With loads of followers already on the town forward of time, the United Heart was packed Sunday with a sellout crowd of 20,627, the Hawks’ highest attendance of the season and second-highest of the final two seasons — topped by solely Chris Chelios Evening.
The climate forecast for Tuesday has improved a bit in current days. As of late Sunday, the Climate Channel was forecasting rain within the morning and clouds within the afternoon, which might work high quality for the 4 p.m. recreation. The 40-degree excessive gained’t be almost as problematic as rain could be.
