Eventually falling to the Hurricanes by a score of 4-3, the Blackhawks failed to hold the lead twice in the game after going up 1-0 quickly in the 1st period then being up 3-1 until the opening minute of the 3rd.
The power play was futile as the Hawks came up empty after being awarded the man advantage 5 times including a 4-minute opportunity at the end of the 3rd which was overly sloppy in the quest to tie the game.
Marc-Andre Fleury didn't help himself or his team out with at least 2 goals that he should have had. On rookie Seth Jarvis' first career NHL goal, Fleury exposed too much five-hole to slip the puck through.
Then on the game-winning goal by Martin Necas, Fleury needed to clamp down tighter so the puck didn't trickle through him past the goal line. He knew it, too, as he displayed visible anger at himself afterward.
The game-tying goal 17 seconds into the 3rd was the result of the Chicago forwards not supporting the defensemen as Carolina had numbers not only driving to the net but also spread across the width of the O zone.
On the positive side, both of Alex DeBrincat's goals on the night were great examples of a team needing to pounce on the opponent's turnovers and misfortunes. When gifted scoring chances, competitive teams capitalize.
And while Erik Gustafsson had his obligatory mistakes, he played well the 2-on-1 in the 2nd as he didn't over commit to the shooter. He left his feet at the right time, not too early to take himself out of the play.
Bottom line, the Hawks began the game on a high note and kept up with the high-flying Canes. But as the minutes ticked by, fundamentals and focus degraded, the opponent usurped momentum, and the home team output ran dry.
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COVID Protocol
MEDICAL UPDATE: Forward Henrik Borgstrom has been removed from COVID-19 Protocol.
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) November 3, 2021
Forward Tyler Johnson and defenseman Isaak Phillips will not play in tonight’s game (COVID-19 Protocol).#Blackhawks
Still in protocol: * None
Out of protocol: * Henrik Borgstrom, Center
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Game Summary
Battled tonight pic.twitter.com/9YaWs29GT8
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) November 4, 2021
Kubalik - Dach - Kane DeBrincat - Kurashev - Hardman Hagel - Toews - Carpenter Khaira - Entwistle - R Johnson
de Haan - S Jones Gustafsson - Murphy Stillman - McCabe
Fleury Lankinen
Scratches: Borgstrom, Gaudette, Strome
Scoring Recap
1st Goal (1-0): DeBrincat (Kane, S Jones) 2nd Goal (1-1): Stepan (DeAngelo, Svechnikov) 3rd Goal (2-1): Kane (Stillman, Entwistle) 4th Goal (3-1): DeBrincat (Kurashev, Hardman) 5th Goal (3-2): Jarvis (Stepan) 6th Goal (3-3): Fast (Svechnikov, Slavin) 7th Goal (3-4): Necas (Aho, Bear)
SOG For/Against: 30/32 PP: 0-for-5 PK: 2-for-2 Faceoffs Won: 53%
FINAL: Hurricanes 4, #Blackhawks 3
— Charlie Roumeliotis (@CRoumeliotis) November 4, 2021
Shot attempts: 67-57 CAR
Shots on goal: 32-30 CAR
5-on-5 scoring chances: 21-13 CAR
5-on-5 high danger chances: 7-5 CAR pic.twitter.com/pZ9vvd1vA4
* Riley Stillman had a solid first game back from COVID protocol as he compiled stops, pins, and hits while also eagerly showing off his physicality by throwing his weight around.
* Kirby Dach got plenty of puck touches all game but still needs to work on converting these opportunities into scoring productivity whether setting up teammates or taking shots himself.
Highlights
Goal by Patrick Kane
a goal from #88 for your timeline 😌 pic.twitter.com/korPGsZxfc
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) November 4, 2021
a cat in his natural habitat pic.twitter.com/LRnbrZ8YC6
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) November 4, 2021
BA DA BING BA DA BOOM part II pic.twitter.com/UGwDueGW0B
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) November 4, 2021
Behind the Scenes
Blackhawks try and make it two in a row tonight against Carolina. Here’s a look at my notes for the game. @NHLBlackhawks pic.twitter.com/81ctll94nN
— Chris Vosters (@CJVosters) November 3, 2021
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Marc-Andre Fleury
According to a couple of NHL insiders, goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury will only be traded this season if he wants out of Chicago. https://t.co/ulxIltD8Sl
— NHL Trade Talk (@nhl_tradetalk) November 3, 2021
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Prospect Captains
Given the circumstances, Ethan Del Mastro said adjusting to life as captain of the #Mississauga @OHLSteelheads has felt like a bit of a jump.https://t.co/wJZ5TLYGpm
— The Mississauga News (@MissiNewsRoom) November 3, 2021
A few other Blackhawks prospects wear the A including Colton Dach of the Kelowna Rockets of the WHL and Alex Vlasic of the Boston University Terriers in the NCAA.
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See you on the boards!