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Blackhawks shut out by Oilers in 5-0 loss

The Chicago Blackhawks played the Edmonton Oilers on Monday night according to various sources. Deep in my heart, though, I’m gonna pretend that the 5-0 blowout loss to Connor McDavid and company didn’t happen. How’d that extra loss get into Chicago’s record??? Why, I have no idea!!

That’s about all I can muster from a complete letdown of a performance. There was no grand comeback this time around, unlike over the weekend in Vancouver. That game saw the Blackhawks flip the switch and skate circles around the Canucks in the third period.

On Monday, Chicago made its push in the second period, but still found itself trailing by three. The team mustered just three shots on goal in the whole third period, which is not a great way to come back when you’re already trailing by three goals. The game was pretty clearly over once Edmonton went up 4-0.

Now let’s point to a positive: the top line of Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, and Nick Schmaltz had arguably its best game of the season. There were no goals, but that group was a combined plus-7 in 5-on-5 Corsi in the game. They had 12 shots on goal combined, and spent most of the game matched up with Edmonton’s No. 1 line of McDavid, Jesse Puljujarvi, and Milan Lucic.

That’s a very good sign considering the importance of getting Kane and Toews going. If Schmaltz can settle in there and use his passing skill to be an effective third cog, the Blackhawks will get back on track soon enough.

Chicago is off Tuesday and will return to the ice Wednesday night for a road matchup against the San Jose Sharks. The game starts at 9 p.m. CT and will be broadcast by WGN and NBC Sports Network.

Talking Points