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Here are four points to remember from the Blackhawks' 5-3 defeat against the Colorado Avalanche at United Center on Friday:
1. The Blackhawks defend themselves three times, but do not succeed
The Blackhawks have been dragged four times without any advance in the game. They responded to Colorado's first three goals by going back and forth with their divisional foe. But they could not answer for the fourth time while the Avalanche scored with a time remaining at 5:22 and sealed the deal with an empty net in the closing seconds.
The Blackhawks were encouraged by their way of playing but were disappointed with the result as they thought they deserved better against a team they needed two points. And they did it.
"That's what it is," said Jonathan Toews. "The points are important, whether it's the end of the regular season or almost the playoffs, we wanted two points, winning is all that matters, so I think you're doing what you have to do to stay in matches and They played a good game, but I think it was probably one of our best efforts collectively during the last part so a lot of good things and I think if we have that energy, we're going to get better results in the next games here. "
2. Special teams play a big factor
The Blackhawks and Avalanche each have four minor penalties. For 12:49 of 60 minutes, there was a kind of human advantage. And that turned out to be a huge part of the game.
The Blackhawks eliminated the first three penalties and allowed only four shots on goal during those six minutes, but the Avalanche has converted to its fourth opportunity (the only shot on goal in this game performance).
Meanwhile, the Blackhawks scored a brace with the men's advantage and almost added a third goal at the last minute of the match, but were disappointed. It was one of the most complete performances of the Blackhawks special teams this season.
"We had to rely on our power play a few times, so it was good to succeed here," said Patrick Kane, who extended his point series to 20 games and his goal to five goals, and tied a franchise record with 13 shots on goal. "But that's what I love about this group and our team." Regardless of the score, no matter how we start or what happens in the middle of the game, we are still in the game, there is always a chance to return the thing, I like it from our group ".
3. A complete effort but no reward
The Blackhawks have recently had a difficult start. Friday was not one of them. And that continued throughout the game
On equal strength, the Blackhawks led a total of shot attempts (56-40), shots on goal (31-25), scoring opportunities (29-20) and chances of great danger (12-11) , according to naturalstattrick.com. They were ahead in all four categories except the one that mattered most and which was the final score.
This is the hard part to swallow. The Blackhawks have elevated their game in a playoff atmosphere and have scored one of their most comprehensive efforts in a while, but it was one of those nights when the result does not reflect it. And it's unfortunate because it's been a big four-point change in Colorado's direction.
"Of course, we would have liked to win," said coach Jeremy Colliton. "These are important points, it was an important match, a direct confrontation with a team we are fighting with, we were really good, I thought, it's one of our best efforts." Year and certainly recently.The results sometimes give. " Do not sneak in, but the challenge is to reproduce [at] this level and I think that if we do, we will get our fair share of points. "
4. Impact of the ranking
For a brief moment on Wednesday, the Blackhawks saw their name rise above the playoff line. Friday's game against Colorado was very exciting. He then took second place ahead of Chicago.
But after the defeat, the Blackhawks are two points behind the Avalanche, which has a game late, and three points on Minnesota Wild, which has won two consecutive games. Even the Arizona Coyotes are above the Blackhawks because of percentage points, tied at 61 points, but hold a match in hand.
That's why this game was so important. But good news for the Blackhawks? They have two more games against Avalanche this season and one more against the Coyotes. But more importantly, they must immediately get back to work for a divisional showdown against the Dallas Stars Sunday afternoon.
"It will only be harder as we move forward here," said Toews. "We have tough games on the road ahead, so obviously we want to take one game at a time, there is nowhere to hide or hide, I think every team will be at its best and It's a fun time of year for I think guys have improved their game tonight and we know that there is always room for improvement. "
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