Jujhar Khaira leaves the ice on a stretcher. #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/FQ13rQdFJn
— Charlie Roumeliotis (@CRoumeliotis) December 8, 2021
Although one Hawks player tentatively went after Trouba after the hit, it wasn't until minutes later when Riley Stillman threw down with him. While Stillman lost the fight, that also didn't matter as the act of sticking up for a fallen teammate was more important.
Another storyline that didn't play out was Marc-Andre Fleury earning his 500th career win after notching his 900th game played on Sunday versus the Islanders. Fleury had a few outstanding saves but the team in front of him failed to give him goal support.
--
Blackhawks Game Summary
Final from the United Center pic.twitter.com/FeeKmTbFVp
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) December 8, 2021
Hagel - Toews - Kane DeBrincat - Dach - Strome Kubalik - Borgstrom - R Johnson Khaira - Slavin - Carpenter
de Haan - S Jones Stillman - Gustafsson Kalynuk - Mitchell
Fleury Lankinen
Scratches: C Jones, McCabe, Murphy
Scoring Recap
1st Goal (0-1): Trouba (Panarin, R Strome) 2nd Goal (1-1): Gustafsson (unassisted) 3rd Goal (2-1): Dach (DeBrincat, D Strome) 4th Goal (2-2): Panarin (Zibanejad, Kreider) PP 5th Goal (2-3): Kreider (Fox, Panarin) PP 6th Goal (2-4): Rooney (Fox, Reaves) 7th Goal (2-5): Panarin (Trouba, Zibanejad) EN 8th Goal (2-6): Goodrow (Reaves, Rooney)
SOG For/Against: 26/30 PP: 0-for-4 PK: 0-for-2 Faceoffs Won: 56%
FINAL: Rangers 6, #Blackhawks 2
— Charlie Roumeliotis (@CRoumeliotis) December 8, 2021
Shot attempts: 56-46 CHI
Shots on goal: 30-26 NYR
5-on-5 scoring chances: 25-21 CHI
5-on-5 high danger chances: 7-6 NYR pic.twitter.com/sqbEie6Ibk
* The first goal by the Rangers was a real-time flashback to the Jeremy Colliton era as it was a head scratcher why no one challenged Trouba who had so much time and space to launch a rocket for the marker.
* Kirby Dach finally got off the schneid with his first goal in 17 games after a Dylan Strome faceoff win; both forwards are starting to surge offensively.
* Henrik Borgstrom displayed some sleek stickhandling on several offensive cycles followed up with nifty passes; alas, all of that work resulted in zero goals.
* Ian Mitchell turned in yet another defensively reliable game; what's been impressive is that he doesn't get wooed into venturing behind the net or into the corners as he knows his priority is to protect the crease.
* Wyatt Kalynuk was neither good nor bad defensively; while his passing needs to be sharper, he showed he can escape the zone with the puck but needs to have those rushes be more productive.
Highlights
Goal by Erik Gustafsson
Erik Gustafsson launches it from 60 feet 🤯
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) December 8, 2021
We’re tied! pic.twitter.com/1Fs0dFaIsZ
KIRBY FULLY LOADED pic.twitter.com/94wgmGNr5v
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) December 8, 2021
Jujhar Khaira
According to head coach Derek King on Khaira's status: "He's up. He's talking. He's very responsive." King stated that Khaira wants to get back on the ice but needs to do more tests at Northwestern Memorial Hospital today after doing some tests last night.
Initial Team Update
MEDICAL UPDATE: Jujhar Khaira suffered an upper body blow in the second period of tonight’s game. After initial evaluation on the ice he was taken by ambulance to Northwestern Hospital for further testing.
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) December 8, 2021
An update will be provided when available.
Here’s a look at the hit by Jacob Trouba on Jujhar Khaira, who was knocked out cold and left the ice on a stretcher. #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/YbyXDvRnUn
— Charlie Roumeliotis (@CRoumeliotis) December 8, 2021
Patrick Kane and every Chicago player on the ice went and gave Riley Stillman a fist bump in the penalty box after fighting Jacob Trouba. #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/kDPnHUlPK8
— Charlie Roumeliotis (@CRoumeliotis) December 8, 2021
Coach King gives an update on Jujhar Khaira following tonight's loss to the Rangers â¬‡ï¸ pic.twitter.com/przd774jc8
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) December 8, 2021
Trade Rumors
Which players are on the trading block in Chicago?@TheFourthPeriod | #NHLTonight | @JamisonCoyle pic.twitter.com/kHy78vTtbI
— NHL Network (@NHLNetwork) December 7, 2021
Of the 4 rumored to be on the market, none of them are expected to be back next season regardless of whether any trades go down. Then of the other pending free agents, Dach is for certain to be re-signed while Lankinen is most likely to get a renewed deal as well.
Kubalik isn't a given to return as he could bring back a decent return via a hockey trade (i.e. roster player for roster player) or trade for futures whether a high draft pick, prospect with high NHL potential, or a package of a mid-range pick and prospect.
--
IceHogs Updates
Hogs on the Move: Defenseman Wyatt Kalynuk is called up to the @NHLBlackhawks and we receive forward Mike Hardmanhttps://t.co/zkNAm9NFzL
— Rockford IceHogs (@goicehogs) December 7, 2021
See you on the boards!
