Blackhawks Fall Flat Against Flames Despite Early Spark and Centennial Buzz
Thursday night at the United Center had all the makings of a special evening for the Chicago Blackhawks. The team was back home, riding a two-game winning streak against the Calgary Flames this season, and Hall of Famers Duncan Keith and Marian Hossa were in the building ahead of Saturday’s Centennial “Banner Years” celebration. But the energy in the arena never quite matched the occasion - and neither did the Blackhawks' play on the ice.
Chicago dropped the final meeting of the season against Calgary, falling 3-1 in a game that started with promise but quickly unraveled. Let’s break down what went wrong, what stood out, and what it all means moving forward.
A Hot Start That Fizzled Fast
It looked like the Blackhawks were ready to set the tone early. Less than three minutes into the first period, captain Nick Foligno found the top corner for his second goal of the season, finishing off a gritty shift from the fourth line. Colton Dach picked up his sixth assist, and Landon Slaggert added his third - not bad production from a line that isn’t exactly known for lighting the lamp.
But that would be it for the Blackhawks’ offense on the night.
Calgary responded with a power play goal from Yegor Sharangovich and a shorthanded tally by Mikael Backlund before the first period was over. From there, the Flames clamped down defensively, and Chicago never found its rhythm again. A late empty-netter from Matt Coronato sealed the deal.
Disconnected and Disjointed
After the game, veteran defenseman Connor Murphy didn’t sugarcoat things. He pointed to a lack of execution and chemistry, especially at even strength.
“Five-on-five was not there tonight,” Murphy said. “You got to be clean, and we weren’t clean.”
Murphy emphasized that fatigue wasn’t an excuse - the team had been home, had a good practice the day before, and simply didn’t bring the necessary sharpness. Head coach Jeff Blashill echoed the sentiment, noting that players weren’t reading off each other and were looking for the extra play instead of keeping things simple. That led to too many guys standing still, and against a Flames team that plays a hard, physical brand of hockey, that’s a recipe for trouble.
Tensions Boiling Over
It’s becoming clear that there’s no love lost between the Blackhawks and Flames. Thursday’s game marked the third straight meeting with plenty of post-whistle activity and a rising level of physicality.
Midway through the second period, Murphy delivered a big hit at center ice that led to a scrap with Joel Farabee. Murphy took the brunt of the collision - Farabee’s helmet caught him in the chest - but still answered the bell.
Later in the period, Flames defenseman Kevin Bahl crushed rookie Oliver Moore into the boards, and Ryan Donato immediately jumped in to defend his teammate. Artyom Levshunov and Nick Lardis were also quick to show their displeasure.
This wasn’t a one-off. The Nov. 7 meeting between these teams featured 42 combined penalty minutes.
The Nov. 18 rematch exploded for 122. This one settled at 36, but the animosity is real, and it’s something to keep an eye on when these two teams meet again next season.
Crevier Hits the Century Mark
One bright spot for Chicago was Louis Crevier skating in his 100th NHL game - a milestone that seemed unlikely when he was drafted in the seventh round back in 2020 (188th overall). The 6-foot-8 blueliner has carved out a role as a dependable shutdown presence, and this season he’s added a bit of offense to his game.
On Thursday, Crevier led the team with four shots on goal, added six shot attempts, two hits, and three blocked shots in just over 17 minutes of ice time. He’s now tied for the team lead in goals among defensemen (four, with Wyatt Kaiser) and sits second in points behind Levshunov. Not bad for a guy whose path to the NHL was anything but guaranteed.
Special Teams Letdown
Coming into the night, Chicago’s penalty kill had been perfect in January - 16-for-16. That streak ended when Sharangovich cashed in on the Flames’ first power play opportunity. The Blackhawks finished the night 3-for-4 on the PK but also gave up a backbreaking shorthanded goal.
Their own power play, meanwhile, came up empty on four chances. Blashill didn’t shy away from the fact that special teams didn’t help their cause.
Faceoff Wins, But Not Much Else
If there’s one area where the Blackhawks continue to excel, it’s in the faceoff circle. They won 54% of their draws in this one, with Jason Dickinson leading the way at 71% (10-of-14). Foligno (60%), Oliver Moore (54%), and Ryan Greene (47%) all held their own.
But winning faceoffs only goes so far when the rest of the game is out of sync.
Solid Night for Knight
Goaltender Spencer Knight continues to be a steadying presence for the Blackhawks. He stopped 20 of 22 shots for a .909 save percentage and gave his team a chance to stay in the game. But with little offensive support and defensive breakdowns in key moments, it wasn’t enough.
Looking Ahead
This loss drops the Blackhawks to 2-1 against the Flames on the season and adds another layer of frustration to a team still trying to find its identity. But there’s no time to dwell.
Saturday brings an Original Six showdown with the Boston Bruins - a marquee matchup that also serves as the centerpiece of the organization’s Centennial “Banner Years” celebration. Then, on Monday, former captain Jonathan Toews returns to the United Center for the first time in a Winnipeg Jets sweater.
There’s plenty of emotion ahead. The Blackhawks will need to bring more than that if they want to turn things around.