GLENDALE, Ariz. — The Blackhawks ambushed the Coyotes with seven objectives after they met on the United Center two weeks in the past. This sport was nothing like that.
The Hawks’ once-powerhouse offense can’t get something going currently and couldn’t escape of its droop in a 1-Zero loss to the Coyotes on Tuesday. The loss leaves them 5 factors out of the second wild card with six video games left.
“We played so well — I think we deserved better,” goaltender Corey Crawford stated. “They performed fairly good, too.
“We’re nonetheless in it. Just bought to prepare for the following sport.”
The Blackhawks had been tight defensively in opposition to the Coyotes, however this aim was the distinction. | Ross D. Franklin/AP
They’ve barely been hanging within the wild-card race and nonetheless had an outdoor shot after salvaging an extra time win over the Avalanche on Sunday. With the Coyotes and Wild sputtering the final two weeks, there was a chance to leap them, nevertheless it’s shrinking.
The Avalanche are clinging to the ultimate playoff spot at 81 factors, and the Coyotes hit 81 with the win, although they’ve performed yet one more sport. Those groups play one another Friday in Denver, so one among them is assured of getting two factors and rising their lead over the Hawks.
The Wild are subsequent at 79, adopted by the Hawks at 76. The Hawks have one sport in hand over the Wild and Coyotes.
“That one hurts,” stated coach Jeremy Colliton, who added that the Hawks will push as onerous as potential for so long as they’re mathematically within the hunt. “We needed that one.”
His staff, which was second within the NHL in objectives from mid-December by means of mid-March, has scored 11 in its final six video games regardless of averaging 33.three photographs on aim.
As has been the case for the Hawks’ previous couple of video games, this one had a decent, playoff-like really feel to it. They fired off 31 photographs, however few had been prime appears. Neither staff bought many alternatives to race off on odd-man rushes.
“I just think both teams didn’t want to give anything up,” Colliton stated. “Puck was bouncing a lot, so it was not a lot of clean plays being made out there. But we were fine. They found a way to get a puck in the net.”
The Coyotes broke a scoreless tie 5 minutes into the third interval on an influence play after Brent Seabrook dedicated a tripping penalty. The Hawks held them off for a minute earlier than Nick Cousins chipped in a rebound from simply exterior the crease.
Colliton tried to drag Crawford for an additional attacker with 2:25 remaining, however the Coyotes didn’t give him time. Then Duncan Keith bought whistled for tripping whereas he tried to forestall a breakaway, and the Coyotes had been on energy play the remainder of regulation.
Crawford continued his terrific run by stopping 27 of 28 photographs. He has a .948 save proportion his final 9 video games.
Colliton lastly bought him to the bench with a few minute left, however there was no benefit gained with Keith nonetheless within the field. The Hawks’ greatest take a look at the top was an extended shot by Jonathan Toews.
It was the second time in three video games the Hawks didn’t get any scoring from their energy trio of Toews, Patrick Kane and Alex DeBrincat. Kane has two objectives in his final 14 video games, Toews has 4 in 16 and DeBrincat has two in 12.