Blackhawks still searching for first win after loss to Panthers
Blackhawks still winless (Jasen Vinlove - USA Today Sports)

Blackhawks still searching for first win after loss to Panthers


by - Senior Writer -

This is why we can't have nice things last forever, Blackhawks fans. Just three games into the 2021 NHL season, and there is frustration boiling in Chicago. Not only are the Hawks 0-3 following another loss on the road, but it has been the way they have been losing in the process. Three games into the season, and not only are the Blackhawks struggling to score, but they are allowing five goals per game right now.

That comes at the heels of a 5-2 loss to Florida yesterday, as this team is starting to look like the Young Red Wings of last season. There are 53 games left this season, so plenty of time to turn things around, but the Blackhawks need to shore up things on the ice's defensive side, especially goaltending, if they want any postseason shot.

For the second straight game, Chicago went with Cam Delia in goal as he continues to get tested in the net. Not only is he allowing five goals per game, but he isn't seeing an excessive amount of shots leading to a lower than usual save percentage. After a promising first period that saw the Blackhawks play to a scoreless tie, things began to pick up in the second period as both offenses started to find their groove.

It was the Panthers getting on the board first, needing just 12 seconds to take the lead. After securing the opening faceoff to open the second, the Florida offense skated into the Blackhawks end of the ice, where Aaron Ekblad took it himself for the unassisted goal and 1-0 lead. Just over five minutes later, the Panthers offense was on the attack again, with Keith Yandle burying his first goal of the season for the 2-0 Florida lead. Eetu Luostarinen and Jonathan Huberdeau were in on the assists.

Lacking offense during their first two games, the Blackhawks seemed to get more out of the attack in this one, especially in the second period. Past the halfway mark and still down by a pair, the Blackhawks began their attack on the ice's Panthers side. Lead by Duncan Keith and Patrick Kane, Alex DeBrincat put home his second goal of the season, and just like that, we had a 2-1 game. That score would hold up until the end of the second, with Chicago having new life.

Talk about new life; after scoring that goal in the second, the Blackhawks offense started to come into their own, which resulted in their second goal. Not even three minutes into the third period, Keith and Pius Suter controlled the puck into the Florida end of the ice, where Connor Murphy did the rest. His first goal of the season tied things at 2-2, and Chicago was looking for their first points of the season.

With the team battling back, it was up to Delia to hold tough in goal to give the team a chance. Unfortunately, Florida had other ideas as they retook the lead less than a minute later, with Luostarinen putting home what proved to be the game-winner for the 3-2 lead. Just over two minutes later, Patric Hornqvist got his first goal of the season, with Radko Gudas and Huberdeau recording the assists in what was now a 4-2 lead.

Down by a pair for the second time in the game, the Blackhawks came from behind once. They were hoping to do just that again. However, this time, Chris Driedger stood his ground in goal, stopping 25 of the 27 shots he faced on the night. With just over three minutes to go, Huberdeau capped off a strong performance with an exclamation. After recording two assists earlier in the night, Huberdeau had a chance to deliver on the other side of things putting home his first goal of the season via the power play, and the Panthers keep the Blackhawks winless with a 5-2 win.

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