The Blackhawks learned this one the hard way.
Leading 3-2 with just over nine minutes to play, Chicago had the game in their hands—but it slipped away fast. The Devils scored twice in just 19 seconds, completely flipping the momentum, and added another late goal (ENG) to seal a 5-3 loss in New Jersey.
It was a better overall effort from the Blackhawks, but the result stays the same.
Chicago now returns home after a four-game road trip with a 1-3-0 record. They are 3-5-2 in their last 10 games and 5-6-4 over their last 15—but here’s the key problem: only two of those wins came in regulation.
The Positives:
Team Effort:
It wasn’t perfect and they didn’t get a point, but the effort was there tonight. The Blackhawks played harder as a group and looked more structured overall. Yes, the second period was a step back, but they stayed in the fight and gave themselves a chance to win. That’s something we didn’t always see earlier this season.
Anton Frondell:
This road trip gave us our first real look at Anton Frondell—and that’s a big positive. He didn’t score, but his impact is clear. His vision and hockey IQ stand out right away. He plays with confidence, makes smart decisions, and creates chances. Frondell now has points in 3 of his first 4 NHL games, including a two-assist performance tonight. This is a player who looks like he will be an important piece of the Blackhawks’ future alongside Bedard.
Connor Bedard Reaches Another Milestone:
Connor Bedard continues to take steps forward. With an assist tonight, he now has a career-high 68 points (30 goals, 38 assists) in just 61 games this season—already better than his 67 points in 82 games last year. He’s producing every night and driving the offense. If this progression continues, a 100-point season in the future is absolutely realistic.
Frank Nazar Stays Hot:
Frank Nazar was one of the best players on the ice again. He scored two goals—his 13th and 14th of the season—and finished with 7 shots on goal. On this four-game road trip, he put up 3 goals and 4 points, and in March alone, he now has 14 points in 15 games. He’s playing with confidence, attacking the net, and becoming a real offensive threat for this team.
The Negatives:
Power Play Still a Problem:
Yes, they scored a power-play goal tonight with Frank Nazar (his 14th of the season), but the bigger picture is still concerning. It was their first power-play goal in the last 9 games (1-for-26). In the month of March, they have just 5 power-play goals on 41 opportunities. That’s simply not good enough. The puck movement lacks consistency, and they don’t have a true quarterback at the blue line. This is something the organization will need to address moving forward.
Third Period Struggles:
This game is another example of a major issue. The Blackhawks were leading 3-2 with about nine minutes left—and still lost. Giving up two goals in 19 seconds changed everything. It’s now 16 losses in their last 23 games when the score is tied after 40 minutes. Their goal differential in the third period sits at -22. This team is struggling to close games, whether it’s protecting a lead or managing momentum late. That has to improve.
Defensive Struggles and Shot Volume:
Yes, the context matters—this is a young team. They had three rookie defensemen in the lineup and as many as seven rookies overall during this road trip. But the results are still tough to ignore. They allowed 19 goals in 4 games—almost 5 goals against per game. Even more concerning is the number of shots allowed: 47, 42, 39, and 40. That’s too much pressure on the goalies. You can’t expect to win games consistently when you’re giving up that many chances. This is not just on the goalies—the entire team needs to be better defensively and more structured. That will be a key focus for Luke Richardson moving forward into next season.
Next Game:
The Blackhawks return home on Tuesday to face the Winnipeg Jets at 7:00 PM CDT.
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