Panthers Flex Depth, Blackhawks Search for Answers in 5-1 Loss
The Chicago Blackhawks are in the thick of a brutal stretch, facing off against some of the NHL’s most disciplined, well-structured teams. After tilts with Carolina and Tampa Bay, the reigning back-to-back Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers came to town and showed exactly why they’ve earned that title. Despite playing the second leg of a back-to-back after an overtime win in Minnesota, the Panthers delivered a textbook performance - simple, smart, and steady - and walked out of the United Center with a 5-1 win.
This wasn’t a flashy game from Florida, and it didn’t need to be. They leaned on their depth, stuck to their structure, and let Chicago make the mistakes. That’s the kind of identity that wins in the postseason - and the kind of identity the Blackhawks are still trying to build.
For Chicago, this run of games has been a crash course in what it takes to win consistently in the NHL. Carolina, Tampa Bay, and now Florida - three teams that don’t beat themselves and rarely deviate from their systems.
It’s exactly the kind of hockey head coach Jeff Blashill is preaching to his young roster. But as Nick Foligno pointed out postgame, they’re not there yet.
“We’ve just got to find a way to get that job done,” Foligno said. “Tonight was one of those ones where you feel you beat yourself.
The goals we gave up were breakdowns in the way we normally know how to play. That really hasn’t been the case here in a while.
It’s disappointing.”
Foligno’s frustration is understandable. This time of year, every shift matters.
Every detail counts. And against a team like Florida, any slip-up gets magnified.
The Blackhawks weren’t sharp enough - not in the hard areas, not in the details, and not in the moments that demand a little extra grit.
Moore Gets a Shot with Bedard - But the Lines Don’t Stick
Blashill shook things up at the morning skate, promoting rookie center Oliver Moore to the top line with Connor Bedard and Andre Burakovsky. The idea made sense on paper: Moore’s speed and faceoff ability could complement Bedard’s skillset, especially with the Panthers being such a structured team.
But once the puck dropped, the chemistry just wasn’t there - and the blender came out early.
In the first period, the new-look top line logged just 1:58 of 5-on-5 ice time and generated a single shot attempt. Bedard, still working his way back from a shoulder injury, ended up with a rotating cast of linemates throughout the night as Blashill searched for a spark.
“Since he’s been back, there have been moments when he’s going good and moments when he hasn’t,” Blashill said postgame. “When you’re out a long time, it’s hard to get your mojo back.”
Blashill acknowledged that the constant line shuffling may be part of the issue - trying to help Bedard by finding the right combination, but maybe creating more instability in the process.
It’s a delicate balance: giving a young star the support he needs without overcomplicating things. And right now, Bedard is still trying to find his rhythm.
Power Play Goes Cold - Again
The Blackhawks’ power play has hit a wall. They went 0-for-2 against Florida and are now 0-for-17 over their last seven games. That’s a sharp drop-off after a stretch where the man advantage was humming, with nine goals in seven games.
Against the Panthers, the power play produced five shot attempts, three on net, and only two high-danger chances in six minutes. The issues were familiar: if they don’t win the faceoff, they struggle to set up. And even when they do get set, there’s a noticeable hesitation - a search for the perfect play instead of taking what the defense gives them.
“We’re probably going to have to tweak it with some [new] players,” Blashill said. “Ultimately, we have to break the puck in better, and we have to win more loose-puck recoveries.”
The lack of confidence is evident. At 5-on-5 and on the power play, the puck movement is tentative.
The execution is just a step behind. And until someone steps up and simplifies things, the slump might continue.
One Line That’s Clicking
While the top six struggled to generate much of anything, the third line of Tyler Bertuzzi, Jason Dickinson, and Ilya Mikheyev was a bright spot - and then some.
They accounted for Chicago’s only goal of the night, and their numbers at even strength were dominant. The trio posted an 18-5 advantage in shot attempts, outshot Florida 10-1, and were responsible for seven of the Blackhawks’ 20 scoring chances at 5-on-5. That’s not just effective - that’s controlling play.
Wyatt Kaiser deserves a nod as well for his smart play at the blue line that set up the goal. It was a rare moment of poise and execution in a game that didn’t have many for the home team.
A Spotlight on Burakovsky
One of the more puzzling questions coming out of this game is the continued usage of Andre Burakovsky in top-six and power-play roles. Blashill has been consistent in saying those minutes have to be earned - and right now, Burakovsky hasn’t been earning them.
He’s not generating chances, he’s not being dangerous, and on the Panthers’ game-winning goal, he didn’t provide the kind of support a young defenseman like Artyom Levshunov needs. Levshunov’s pass was risky, but Burakovsky didn’t even have his stick on the ice until the puck was already past him.
With Teuvo Teravainen nearing a return, it might be time for Burakovsky to take a step back in the lineup until he finds his early-season form again.
A Night Bigger Than Hockey
Sunday night was Hockey Fights Cancer Night at the United Center - always one of the most emotional and meaningful nights on the NHL calendar. This year, one name stood out above all: Troy Murray.
The Blackhawks honored Murray during the first TV timeout, a moment that resonated deeply with fans and team personnel alike. He hasn’t been around the rink much this season as he continues his battle with cancer, but his presence is still felt - and missed.
Murray’s impact on the Blackhawks community goes far beyond the ice. He’s a beloved voice, a respected former player, and a genuinely kind soul. The team - and the city - is firmly in his corner.
The Blackhawks are still in the middle of a learning curve. Nights like this one, against a team that knows exactly who it is and how it wants to play, are part of the process.
But if Chicago wants to turn the corner, it’ll take more than just effort. It’ll take detail, discipline, and a little more bite in the tough moments.