Blackhawks seek rare home win streak as Kraken visit
Chicago (20-38-9, 49 points) is set to skate at the United Center for the first time since edging the Utah Hockey Club 4-3 in overtime on March 7. Defeating the Kraken (29-34-5, 63 points) would give the Blackhawks their first win streak at home since the club topped the New York Islanders, Washington Capitals and Seattle in December.
The Blackhawks entered the week with 49 points, the second fewest in the NHL, but things have been especially dire on the road, where the team has lost 23 of its past 26 games.
Chicago's most recent trip began with an overtime loss to Central Division rival Nashville before multi-goal losses at Colorado, San Jose and Vancouver.
Saturday's 6-2 loss to the Canucks saw the Blackhawks fall behind 3-0 before Alex Vlasic put the team on the board with 1:09 remaining in the second period.
"I don't know what it is, but we just can't seem to put it together long enough," Chicago defenseman Connor Murphy said. "Maybe it's recognizing how important each shift is as the game gets going or knowing you're on the road and those teams know how to score when you give them looks. It's just tightening up."
While the losses have mounted for struggling Chicago, the team is also collecting milestones. Tuesday will mark the home debut for rookie defenseman Artyom Levshunov, who tallied his first career point with an assist Saturday.
"To do that here in the NHL," said Levshunov, the second overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft, "I'm so excited."
Seattle, which is kicking off a four-game road trip, has played .500 hockey since the calendar turned to March. That includes an overtime win and loss during a recent three-game homestand.
On Sunday, the Kraken built a 2-0 first-period lead against the NHL-best Winnipeg Jets before surrendering the next three goals.
"They're the best team in the league with their record, and each one of the games we've played them (this season), two in overtime and one with a goal (against) in the last minute, and they beat us with that," Kraken coach Dan Bylsma said. "They're a benchmark team right now. We're right there with them."
The Kraken have 63 points, 14 better than the Blackhawks but still fourth lowest in the Western Conference. Seattle is seeking to clinch the season series with Chicago after both teams earned home victories earlier in the season.
Seattle rookie Jani Nyman, a second-round pick in 2022, has two power-play goals in his first three career games, including a tally on the man advantage Sunday.
"Clearly, (we) got a good picture of what he can do and what he can be," Bylsma said. "It's not just the shot on the power play that we've seen a couple of times. He had some good time in the offensive zone with the puck, getting over, making plays. ... Really good to see from him in another game."
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