Blackhawks Fall To The New Jersey Devils 5-3

The Hawks' offensive line with Donato-Nazar-Bedard didn't generate much offense. They owned 34% of shot attempts when they were on the ice. Bedard only had one shot on goal and one shot attempt at 5-on-5. 

While Nazar and Bedard certainly see the game the same way, I'd like to see Bedard go back to center, and we can't have Nazar play on the wing for the rest of the season. Not when he's creating plays like this. The Hawks should get the most they can out of Nazar playing center for the rest of the season. 

On defense, this team continued to struggle. The first goal of the game resulted from poor communication between Wyatt Kaiser and Levshunov. They covered the same person and left the backdoor open for Nathan Bastian. 27 seconds later, the Devils scored after Pat Maroon was penalized. 

Ryan Donato tipped the puck in to tie the game 3-3 in the second period, or so he thought. The goal was waved due to a high stick, which Sorensen seemed ok to accept as fact. Moments later, Connor Bedard had a great chance and was held to the ground by Devils defenseman, Simon Nemec. 

Objectively, Bedard was holding onto Nemec's stick. Which is why the referee didn't call a penalty. Fine. But what about Sorensen's response? Sorensen did address the refs. Yelling isn't meant for everyone as a leadership style. As someone who spent a long time in the military, I can tell you that if you force yelling, it's not going to work.

From the player's point of view, they need to see that you have their back. If it seems like "fake" anger, then care more. Care that your star player has constantly been ignored by the officials. Care that other teams physically throw him around. Care when a goal was waved off. 

Of course, the referees aren't going to change their minds if you talk to them. That's their job. But the NHL is an aggressive league and you, as a leader, need to aggressively care. 

This lack of aggression didn't just show in Sorensen's "lack of bite." When the Blackhawks are down 4-2 in the third, there's no reason they should be running a 1-2-2 in the neutral zone. That's safe hockey. 

Leaders can be aggressive without coming across as yelling buffoons. Actions speak louder than words.