With the final Western Conference playoff spot a long reach from their grasp, maintaining fight and finding success remain more realistic goals for the Chicago Blackhawks and Vancouver Canucks during the final stretch of this season.
The host Blackhawks look to rebound from a rough road trip on Friday night by trying to hand the lowly Canucks an eighth consecutive loss.
Chicago needs only six more points to surpass last season’s total of 61, but appears set to miss the playoffs for a sixth straight year. The Blackhawks opened their recent five-game road stretch with three consecutive defeats before winning 4-0 on Sunday at Utah. However, they blew a late one-goal lead during Tuesday’s 3-2 overtime loss at Winnipeg.
The Blackhawks have a minus-11 goal differential in the third period this season. They’ve also lost their last six games decided by two or fewer goals.
“We’ve definitely been in a lot of tight games,” Chicago coach Jeff Blashill said.
“Sometimes it’s (about) finding that next goal. … You’ve got to find a way to win the hockey game.”
Teuvo Teravainen has scored three of his 13 goals in the last two games for Chicago. Meanwhile, star teammate Connor Bedard posted two assists Tuesday and owns nine points (five goals, four assists) in the last nine contests.
Bedard has recorded two points in two games against Vancouver this season. After not scoring during Chicago’s 3-2 shootout home loss on Oct. 17, he notched a goal with an assist in the Blackhawks’ 5-2 victory Nov. 5 at Vancouver.
Not only are these teams losing games, they’re losing veterans as their general managers focus on the future at the trade deadline. Chicago bid goodbye to defenseman Connor Murphy and forwards Jason Dickinson and Colton Dach in separate deals with Edmonton this week. Meanwhile, Vancouver sent veteran defenseman Tyler Myers to Dallas on Wednesday.
The Canucks own an NHL-low 43 points, but general manager Patrik Allvin doesn’t expect his team to fold down the stretch.
“I want to see more fight in the group,” Allvin said.
“You can lose games, but you’ve got to play the right way and you’ve got to compete. And that’s what I want to see from my group moving forward.”
However, the Canucks couldn’t hold an early 2-1 lead versus Carolina on Wednesday. They allowed four goals in the second period en route to a 6-4 defeat. Vancouver has posted a 3-19-4 record since Dec. 22 and has allowed at least five goals in five of its last six games.
“The effort was there (Wednesday), pretty happy about that,” said Vancouver defenseman Filip Hronek, who had a goal with two assists against the Hurricanes.
“We have to be consistent with this, and we have to have that effort for 60 (minutes).”
Ex-Blackhawk Kevin Lankinen was pulled after allowing four goals on 22 shots Wednesday. He has yielded 19 goals during a four-start losing streak. Teammate Nikita Tolopilo has made at least 31 saves in three of his last four starts, but has just one victory to show for it.
Chicago’s Spencer Knight has lost four straight starts. He also has allowed at least three goals in eight of his last nine outings. However, he stopped 73 of 77 shots faced in two games versus Vancouver this season.
Backup Arvid Soderblom could return to the crease for the Blackhawks after making 22 saves against the Mammoth on Sunday to earn his first shutout.
Vancouver’s Marco Rossi snapped a five-game point drought with a goal and an assist Wednesday. He has a point in three straight versus Chicago.
