TAKEAWAYS: Blackhawks Falter on Road Against Bruins, 6-1

The Blackhawks lost handily to the Bruins by five goals on Saturday night, 6-1. The loss extends the Bruins' home winning streak to start the season at 11 games, tying an NHL record.

SOL on SOG

The Bruins controlled the game's opening with the team tallying 28 shot attempts to the Blackhawks six shot attempts in the 1st period. The trend continued throughout the night, leading to a final Bruins' stat line of 43 shots on goals to the Blackhawks 18 shots-on-goal.
"When they were able to recover pucks off of battles, we got sucked into puck watching a little too much," said defenseman Connor Murphy. "They're good at using our triangles and making passes through us. I don't think we stayed as patient and as together in the center of our D-zone to keep those seam passes [out]. It almost seemed like they were running a bit of a power play on some of our 5-on-5's which can't happen."

Some Good News

The second period brought a brief reprieve after Jonathan Toews redirected a Max Domi slap shot on a Blackhawks power play. Those and other moments from early in the game signaled flashes of the team Chicago can be given more consistent play.
"We had moments where we [were] controlling the play pretty good," said defenseman Jarred Tinordi. "I know the score was what it was, but even earlier on in the game when it was 2-1, I think we had moments where we were hanging on to the puck a little bit more, we were looking to make plays.
"I think there's some really clear points on what we need to work on and start addressing," said head coach Luke Richardson. "You can't stand still and pass the pucks lateral. We gotta lay pucks behind them and have support … I think that's how we're going to work with our lineup."

The Fault Against Stars

A match up against Boston - who came into tonight leading the standings with 30 pts (15-2-0) - poses a challenge for any team in the NHL. Although hardly the sole reason for the loss, the Blackhawks identified their faltering mental game as a particular weak point for the team.
"I don't think we played it with enough confidence," said defenseman Connor Murphy. "We let them dictate plays and cycle around our zone, and we weren't staying close and together defending. Sometimes when we were able to get stops, we were a little too panicky and gave up too many pucks."
"I think we got to revert back to that feeling in the room where we're all believing in each other," said Tinordi. "[At the beginning of the season,] we didn't have any doubt in this room when we were down two goals. I think everyone was just going out there and playing a little bit looser. And I think that's where the confidence comes from … We just have to trust each other on the ice and that we're gonna make the plays and play to our system."