After coming off one of their worst performances of the season, the Chicago Blackhawks returned to the United Center looking for a better start…and finish…to the contest. The start was fine. The finish was awful.

Let’s look at what happened in Sunday’s 5-1 loss to the Dallas Stars.

Game Summary

The Hawks started the game “on time.” They were the better team for the first half of the first period, controlling play and creating odd-man rushes. The game’s first whistle didn’t come until 6:01 when the Blackhawks were called for a penalty for too many men, which they killed with relative ease. It looked like Anders Sorensen‘s “intense” practice on Saturday had paid off.

Four minutes later, Chicago would get a power play of their own after Jamie Benn pulled down Tyler Bertuzzi. Six seconds later, Connor Bedard struck, scoring his 10th goal of the season.

:22 seconds after Bedard scored, the Hawks returned to the power play, but two separate fumbled pucks from Seth Jones and Taylor Hall derailed a pair of offensive zone setups. As the penalty expired, Alex Vlasic was called for slashing and the Stars got their second power play of the period. After killing the penalty, Nick Foligno laid out to clear the puck from the neutral zone, but was only able to advance it past center ice. His teammates left the ice prematurely, and Connor Murphy was left alone to defend. Evgenii Dadonov was initially denied by Arvid Söderblom, but Benn followed up and buried the rebound.

Perhaps if TJ Brodie hadn’t decided to take a lap around the back of the net, Benn could have been tied up.

The second period began with an early Hawks power play after Dallas was called for too many men. Their best chance came after Vlasic rushed the zone, centering a pass to Ryan Donato. Lukas Reichel had a chance at a rebound and a gaping net, but his shot hit a Stars player in front.

Moments later, Hall would be called for a slashing penalty, which the Hawks would kill.

Then, the game’s turning point came.

Bertuzzi would be given a 5:00 penalty and a game misconduct for an elbow on old friend Colin Blackwell.

Before the great Gene Honda could finish announcing the penalty, Dallas took a 2-1 lead on Jason Robertson’s eighth of the season. From that point on, the game shifted. The Blackhawks collapsed under the weight of the goal, the remaining 4:48 of the power play, and the talent of the Stars. “We couldn’t find momentum after [the penalty],” Jones said. “There’s going to be adversity through games like this. We have to find a way to turn it around.”

Pat Maroon, looking to shift momentum with a fight with Lian Bichsel, took a run at the defenseman and missed. The Stars were off the other way, and Dadonov scored on a great setup from Matt Duchene. 3-1.

The Blackhawks got a late second period power play, which drew the jeers of the old United Center tweety birds.

Down two with 20 minutes to go, the Hawks would need to start the third period well. Instead, :10 seconds into the period, Wyatt Johnston made it 4-1 Dallas. Bedard slashed and broke Johnston’s stick, but Duchene’s rebound went off the forward’s foot and in.

“We sucked in the first five minutes of that period,” Jones admitted.

2:56 into the period, Johnston navigated through three Blackhawks, including Jones, Hall, and Donato, who all flailed at the puck weakly. The rebound trickled to Duchene, who calmly deposited it behind Söderblom.

5-1.

Apparently overcome with frustration, Maroon took a pair of penalties with 15:39 gone in the period. The Hawks were left to kill off a four-minute power play, dashing any hopes of a miraculous comeback. They’d kill the penalties, thanks in part to a merciful power play from Dallas, who spent much of the four minutes passing the puck around.

“Everybody has to be better,” Teuvo Teräväinen said after the game. “We have to find a way to be better.”

Sunday’s 5-1 loss was the Blackhawks’ fourth straight. They return to action Tuesday for the Winter Classic at Wrigley Field.

Final Thoughts

This was the most aggravating Blackhawks game since…well…the last time they played. Every game has one of three storylines.

• Got too cute and failed to put the puck on net
• Refused to create traffic in front of the net
• Fell apart because the other team scored

Tonight, you can check all three boxes. Once Bertuzzi left the game, so did the Blackhawks’ net-front presence. Once Dallas scored, making it 2-1, the Hawks lost all jump. Sure, you can chalk part of that up to defending a five-minute power play, but the Stars did call their timeout midway through the penalty.

One has to wonder why, and how, these players aren’t getting the message. Sorensen ran a balls to the wall, physical and intense practice. The players responded and seemed to enjoy the session. They even started the game well, but the MOMENT they were hit with adversity, they crumbled.

ESPN’s Ray Ferraro opined that the outcome was the result of having a young defensive corps, but think back to the game. Which young Blackhawks really sucked out loud? Bedard wasn’t great, but he scored and generated chances, especially early. Nolan Allan played well. Louis Crevier played well. Reichel played well.

To me, the issue is the veterans. Brodie seemed checked out, despite the unwarranted promotion. Hall and Jones made errors on the most routine plays. Yes, losing sucks, and it’s hard to come to the rink night after night, loss after loss, but the veteran players brought here to insulate against games like this are often the culprits. They must ask themselves whether they want to be in Chicago. Rebuilds aren’t for everyone. If they want out, accommodate them.

Nuggets and Timbits

• Despite his goal, it was not a great night for Bedard. He went zero for seven from the faceoff dot, was credited with six giveaways, and finished -4. He had his moments early, but you could see him trying to do too much on the ice too often in this game.
• Duchene has killed the Blackhawks. His three points Sunday give him seven in four games vs Chicago this season.
• It’s the fourth consecutive loss for the Blackhawks, who have been outscored 11-3 in their last two games.
• Frank Nazar led the team with an 82.23 xGF% at all strengths.
• Jones and Brodie were the “top” pair in this game. The pair finished with the two lowest game scores, according to hockeystatcards.com. “Could be better,” Sorensen said after the game.
• The Blackhawks scored first for the league-leading 23rd time this season. They are in last place in the NHL.
• Be sure to check out GQ’s interview with Jonathan Toews. In the interview, he shares more details than ever regarding his ailments, treatments, and recovery. He even mentions that his NHL career might not be over.