Blackhawks can take note of these 3 key factors in their 3-1 loss vs. Flyers Tuesday
Nothing will save Christmas like a bounce-back mentality, and the Chicago Blackhawks need to learn three big lessons from Tuesday's 3-1 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers that extended their skid to six straight defeats.
The Blackhawks simply didn't score enough to win, with Spencer Knight stopping 23 and Chicago only finding the back of the net once from Ryan Donato.
The lesson here is simple: you have to finish more of your chances and cash goals when you create them in tight games.
Chicago struggled to sustain offensive pressure and get pucks through traffic early.
They were outshot through the first period and surrendered the opening goal to Travis Konecny on a clean backdoor play.
If the Hawks want to climb out of the basement, they must find ways to generate higher-danger looks off entries and not give teams the luxury to defend low.
The penalty kill has been serviceable, but gaps in coverage showed when Philadelphia converted a power-play chance into a goal by Noah Cates.
With absent stars like Connor Bedard and Frank Nazar thinning the lineup, discipline and structure have to carry the group until healthy bodies return.
Blackhawks must finish chances and sharpen structure
Ryan Donato's goal was a spark, yet it also highlighted how much Chicago is leaning on secondary scorers while struggling to assemble consistent attack zones.
The team simply isn't finding consistent finishing drives, and that's the clearest lesson from this one.
Line balance also showed some signs of life. Coach Jeff Blashill tried mixing Tyler Bertuzzi's unit with different wingers and groups, and while they had some shifts with positive shot metrics, they couldn't translate that to goals.
In a short season window, molding forward combinations that can drive play and finish is vital.
Defensively, Chicago hung in most of the game, but sloppy exits and a couple of late zone turnovers let the Flyers generate rhythm.
Tightening up those moments is non-negotiable for a club that needs every point it can muster in the standings.
The overarching theme is Chicago has to score more, maintain structure, and stabilize forward chemistry if they hope to lift this skid when the holiday break closes out.
Previously on Chicago Hockey Insider
| POLL |
DECEMBRE 24 | 67 ANSWERS Blackhawks can take note of these 3 key factors in their 3-1 loss vs. Flyers Tuesday Will the Blackhawks show improvement after lessons from the Flyers loss? |
| Yes | 12 | 17.9 % |
| No | 40 | 59.7 % |
| Soon | 6 | 9 % |
| Unsure | 9 | 13.4 % |
| List of polls |