Three takeaways from Blackhawks’ ‘embarrassing’ 7-1 loss to Devils

The Blackhawks allowed seven unanswered goals in a 7-1 loss to the Devils on Monday at the United Center. Chicago (15-17-6) sits in last place in the Central Division with a minus-19 goal differential after 38 games.

Early period goals, blasted in the second period

Chicago entered the game with three goals in the first minute of a period in their past two games, but it was New Jersey that scored two goals in the opening minute of a period Monday. P.K. Subban ended his 23-game goal drought 51 seconds into the second with a blast from the point for a 2-1 lead, and Blake Coleman scored 18 seconds into the third to make it 5-1. The game was lost long before Coleman’s goal as the Blackhawks were outscored 4-0 and outshot 23-8 in the second period.

Natural Stat Trick

So many penalties

The Blackhawks and Devils combined for 44 penalty minutes, including 34 in the first period.

Both teams failed to capitalize as the Devils were 0-for-3 and the Blackhawks were 0-for-7 on the power play. Chicago even allowed a shorthanded goal to Travis Zajac at 17:22 of the second period 35 seconds into a power play opportunity.

Chicago is 0-for-10 on the man advantage in two straight games, and 1-for-14 in its past four games.

A losing holiday tradition

There are a lot of traditions associated with the holiday season, and the Blackhawks have their own as well — losing the game before the holiday break. Chicago is now winless in six straight games (0-5-1) before the break.

Oddly enough the last time the Blackhawks won their final game before the break was against the Devils with a 5-2 home victory Dec. 23, 2013.

The feeling in the Blackhawks’ dressing room has shifted from frustration to annoyance.