The Chicago Blackhawks are experiencing significant difficulties scoring goals in the 2024-25 season, evident in their 3-1 defeat to the Seattle Kraken on Thursday night.
The Blackhawks have managed only one regulation goal in their last four games—three of which were losses—and star player Connor Bedard has not scored in his last eight attempts. With a record of 6-10-1, the team is struggling, and captain Nick Foligno has expressed his frustration. “It’s about wanting to score, getting into tough areas, making a difference, and being near the net,” Foligno told the Chicago Sun-Times’ Ben Pope post-game. “We just don’t have enough guys willing to do that… Especially after we had a few days off to prepare, it’s disappointing.”
Chicago only recorded 19 shots against Kraken goalie Joey Daccord, with Ryan Donato being the sole scorer for the Hawks, leading the team with eight goals this season.
The lack of offensive output has been alarming, with the Blackhawks tallying just 41 goals so far, ranking them 29th in the NHL. After losing three out of their last four games, and eight of twelve since October 19, it appears that the team’s rebuilding process may take longer than expected.
In addition to the offensive struggles, head coach Luke Richardson expressed dissatisfaction with the team’s effort level in Seattle. “The stick battles were more concerning to me than the shot count,” he noted, according to Pope. “In those 50-50 situations, they were more determined than we were. Winning those battles leads to more shots for them and less for us.”
The Blackhawks fell behind 2-0 early in the third period before Donato scored 3:22 into the final frame. Kraken forward Brandon Tanev sealed the game with an empty-net goal with less than 20 seconds left.
Richardson stated, “I don’t think the first period was awful. We became more frustrated in the second. We lacked execution in our shots; we missed the net significantly during three promising rushes in the first, which isn’t reflected in the shot count and frustrates the team.”
Though it’s still early in the season, concern is mounting for a Blackhawks team that is struggling to find the back of the net. Bedard needs to find his form for the team to improve, and other players must become more effective as well.
Currently seventh in the Central Division, the Blackhawks are tied with the Nashville Predators for the fewest points, fighting to avoid being at the bottom of the standings. They will aim to make a comeback against the Vancouver Canucks in British Columbia on Saturday night.
