TAKEAWAYS: Sloppy Start for Blackhawks Leads to 3-1 Defeat to Jets

A sloppy first period start for the Blackhawks cemented the course of the game in their 3-1 defeat to the Jets at home. Head coach Luke Richardson said the Blackhawks failed to keep possession and play physical against a tired Winnipeg team on the second leg of a back-to-back.

"When you don't have control of the puck most of the game and you're chipping away, you're playing too much defense and you don't have the energy to go forecheck," said Richardson after the game. "Little things like bumping guys on the face offs offensively and defensively, just to give you a little time to make a player move the puck. [That] makes a big difference, and we didn't do that enough at all today."

The Raddysh Runneth Over

Playing in his hundredth career game, forward Taylor Raddysh broke the Blackhawks two goal drought. The forward scored halfway through the 2nd period while the Jets led 2-1. After losing possession, Phillip Kurashev recovered the puck and sent a pass from the Jets blue line to the slot. The pass deflected off the skate of Jets defenseman Axel Jonsson-Fjallby, allowing Raddysh to take the puck and score on a wrist shot into the net.
"It was an offensive zone rotation hard on the puck," said Richardson. "Kurashev did a good job. I'll give him credit where he deserves it. He kept it in very [close] to where he lost it [earlier on the play]. But we don't want to be an even team. We want to learn and be a plus team in every area."

Soderblom Shines Bright

Arvid Soderblom continues shining as the North Star for the Blackhawks. Tonight, the young netminder saved 29-of-32 shots on goal by the Jets. He's recorded six 30-or-more saves in six games this season - three of those were 40+ save games.
"He's working his ass off right now, making backdoor saves left and right," said defenseman Seth Jones. "He's a guy that's never gonna complain or never gonna show his emotion. He's a pretty low key guy in that sense [where] you're not gonna get a lot out of him. But that's kind of what is good about him: his even keel [demeanor] to the good and the bad."
The 23-year-old goalie sports a .906 SV% with a 3.19 GAA. Richardson says Soderblom's 2-7-2 record does not reflect the success he's had this season:
"We gotta give him more goal support so he can really excel in the win column. He's really played well for us and he doesn't seem fazed … I think all of us have to take a page out of his book [where] he shows up every night and does his job."

Tough, Tough, Tinordi

Jarred Tinordi returned to the ice after a hip injury led to a week-long stint on the team's injured reserve. Originally planning to rest him another game, Richardson made the decision after defenseman Caleb Jones felt his hip tighten up while cooling down following morning skate.
"I talked to Tinordi, and [he] said 'I'm ready to go,'" said Richardson. "[I told Tinordi] if [Caleb] is not one hundred percent, you got to be planning today like you're ready to play. He said no problem. He's a total professional and when he was ready to go on, I told him and he was excited to get in."
In his first shift in the game, the defenseman took a skate blade to his face. The skate cut him , as Richardson put it. He returned to the ice during the second period with a chin guard. Tinordi finished the game with 3 hits and having blocked 1 shot.
"He's a warrior," said Jones. "He's such a tough guy that when he comes back, he gives us a boost. And I think you saw that in the second period."
Two other Blackhawks players returned to the ice tonight. Jonathan Toews returned after flu-like symptoms caused him to miss last game. Sam Lafferty (back) played in his first game since being activated off the IR. He spent 4:28 as part of the Blackhawks penalty kill unit tonight. He recorded a takeaway and won both of his faceoffs on the Jets power play.
Richardson indicated Caleb Jones is fine and that his scratch from the game was precautionary due to Jones "not being able to go 100%" in warmups.