The Chicago Blackhawks ended a five-game trip with three wins, which left them feeling positive, especially after they came back to beat Los Angeles and Anaheim following a loss to a struggling San Jose team.
However, the Blackhawks aren’t fully satisfied as they return home to play the Detroit Red Wings on Wednesday night.
“We’re not satisfied, and I think that’s a good step for a professional sports team,” said Chicago coach Luke Richardson. “Never satisfied. You go right after the next one, and we got four really big points, two big wins in California, and we’ll take that home with us.”
The Blackhawks haven’t played at home since a 3-2 loss to Nashville on October 25, which left them with a 1-3 record on a four-game homestand.
Ryan Donato, who scored five goals and had two assists on the trip, has helped the Blackhawks find some offensive rhythm.
Connor Bedard ended a three-game streak without a point by recording three assists in Sunday’s 4-2 win at Anaheim.
“Much better game (Sunday) than (Saturday, vs. Los Angeles),” Richardson said. “He was moving his feet better and playing a smarter game, where he was above and made them try to go through us and it created a couple of breakaway chances.”
Bedard is still looking for his next goal. He scored one in the game against Nashville but hasn’t scored since October 26, when the Blackhawks played Dallas.
“It’s been tough for me to put them in,” Bedard said. “Might need a little magic here soon. … I just can’t score to save my life right now. So hopefully soon, but we’ll see.”
Detroit hasn’t played since Saturday, when they ended a three-game losing streak with a 2-1 win at home against the Buffalo Sabres.
Special teams made the difference in that game, as all of the goals were scored on power plays. Detroit captain Dylan Larkin scored both goals with the man advantage but took responsibility for a turnover at the red line during a previous power play. That turnover led to a short-handed breakaway goal by Alex Tuch of the Sabres.
“I put that goal on myself,” Larkin said. “Turning that puck over was unacceptable.”
Red Wings goaltender Cam Talbot, who made 31 saves, also blamed himself for the goal.
“I wanted that goal back,” he said. “You get a turnover like that, you want to be the guy to bail them out. I was upset at myself that I wasn’t able to do that, but I felt good the rest of the night. Guys played great in front of me.”
Detroit was especially good on the power play, with Lucas Raymond almost scoring during the first period. Raymond’s one-timer went behind Buffalo goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, but Sabres defenseman Owen Power cleared the puck from the crease to prevent the goal.
Five of Larkin’s seven goals this season have come on the power play. He’s tied with Brayden Point of Tampa Bay for the most power-play goals in the league.
Wednesday will start a stretch where the Red Wings will play six of their next seven games on the road, where they are 2-2-0 this season.
