Blackhawks Gameday #33: Beating the Holiday Blues

The Chicago Blackhawks (10-21-1) will take on the St. Louis Blues tonight (16-15-1) in the final game before the holiday break. Puck drop is at 7pm.

Previously on Blackhawks Hockey:

Up 2-0 on the Montreal Canadiens, the Blackhawks surrendered five unanswered goals in a deflating 5-2 loss last night at the United Center.

And now, a bit (more) on the Blues

The Blues are without Craig Berube, fired after St. Louis hit a tailspin over the last month. The Blackhawks likely were one of the nails in the coffin with their 3-1 win over St. Louis a few weeks ago. Interim bench boss Drew Bannister is 3-1 and St. Louis is looking for a Merry Christmas by avenging the last game.

How to Watch and Listen

TV: NBC Sports Chicago
Radio: WGN 720

Miscellaneous Musings and Final Verdict

The body language and reaction after yesterday’s loss was as one would expect it to be–deflated. Jason Dickinson had very specific words, which riled up some in the fan base, but he wasn’t off. In spite of it being a rebuild season, the Blackhawks can’t just do what many want which is just roll over and play dead.

Yes, it will help with draft odds but there’s still a young core that has to learn the right habits in the midst of all of this losing. The roster certainly isn’t designed to make the playoffs, but there will come a day where the Blackhawks are challenging either for a spot or facing a deficit in a series.

These contests, though they’re 32 games into what will be another losing season, still provide lessons that can be carried later.

It’s absolutely correct that the talent level isn’t enough to carry them at times. But to Dickinson’s words, it’s not an excuse. Neither is having a younger roster. The yo-yo of win-loss-win-loss or lately, win and then a whole bunch of losses can adversely affect things.

Not only now–but into the future, too.

Tonight’s game will make way for a few days of rest before a home game and then a road trip. By the time the Blackhawks return home, they’ll be heading into the second week of January.

Time flies and so will this season. But each game still holds importance of developing those right habits so thing go well down the road–which is what the plan is.

Stats and Stuff

Team Goals, Assists, and Points Leader: Connor Bedard (12-17-29)
Blackhawks in their last ten games: 2-7-1
One Goal Games: 3 (3-1)