As the losses pile up, frustration continues to eat away at the Chicago Blackhawks.
Meanwhile, the Nashville Predators are still trying to find ways to win games consistently.
The Blackhawks look to avoid their fourth straight loss — and seventh straight — when they face the Predators on Thursday.
Owner of a league-low 30 points, Chicago has dropped nine of its last 11 games, and even young star Connor Bedard has been unable to spark a rebuilding team. Bedard scored to record his 100th career point on Monday against the Calgary Flames, but the Blackhawks lost 5-2 at home.
Chicago has allowed 14 goals during its current three-game skid. The Blackhawks’ 28 regulation losses are the most in the league.
“It was difficult,” said Bedard, who has five goals and eight assists in the last 11 games. “It’s been a lot of games to lose. It weighs heavily on you.”
Bedard, who owns the team’s leading assists (27) and points (39), is not ready to start blaming his teammates.
“We’re all in this together, and we’ve got a lot of work to do, obviously,” Bedard added.
Bedard gave the Blackhawks a 2-0 lead with his second-period goal against visiting Nashville on October 25. However, the Predators followed with three unanswered goals for a 3-2 victory.
That victory came in the middle of Nashville’s season-high three-game winning streak. The Predators, five points ahead of Chicago, are 7-6-1 since a devastating 0-5-3 slide, but only twice have they strung together back-to-back wins during the current stretch.
They’ll have a chance to do it again on Thursday, two nights after a 5-3 victory over the visiting Vegas Golden Knights. Steven Stamkos scored twice and added an assist for Nashville, matching its season high in goals while also recording the franchise’s 1,000th win of the season.
“There’s definitely a belief that if we do the things we know how to do and stay connected, we can play with anybody,” Predators coach Andrew Brunette said.
Despite Tuesday’s offensive outburst, Nashville is tied for last in the league with a 2.47 goals-against average, better than only the Anaheim Ducks (2.41). Ahead of the Predators are the Blackhawks (2.55).
Stamkos, who sits on a 99-game scoring streak, is tied with Jonathan Marchessault for the team lead with 14 goals apiece.
Nashville backup goalie Justus Annunen (2.88 goals against average) stopped 19 of 22 shots vs. Vegas. Juuse Saros could be back in net for Nashville against the Blackhawks despite allowing 15 goals in four of the last five games.
Meanwhile, Chicago’s Petr Mrazek (3.25 GAA) has scored at least four goals in seven of his eight starts. Backup Arvid Soderblom allowed a total of 10 while losing his first two starts.
The Chicago Nets continue to suffer from poor defense in front of them. The club is allowing 3.45 goals per contest, which ranks 30th in the NHL. Veteran defensive tackle Seth Jones was a minus-4 against Calgary.
Nashville star Filip Forsberg has scored in three straight games, and has seven points in the past five contests. He scored a goal against the Blackhawks in October.
–Field Level Media