Chicago Blackhawks: Anatomy of a Rocky Mountain Fail and a Winless Road Trip

The Chicago Blackhawks were searching for their first win of their current road trip in Colorado Tuesday.

They journey to San Jose still seeking that elusive victory.

Tuesday night's 5-2 loss in the Pepsi Center also leaves the Blackhawks searching for the key to snapping out of their worst stretch of the season. The defeat at the hands of the Avalanche makes one thing crystal clear.

It's impossible to pin this losing streak on any one thing. Chicago just plain sucks right now.

The 'Hawks struggled in nearly every aspect of the game in Colorado. A quick state-of-the-road-trip review is in order. Chicago has two days to push the right buttons before facing the Sharks Friday. Where do they start?

Offense

Patrick Kane did score Tuesday, but a team that has gotten along by outscoring teams suddenly is coming up empty too many times.

Viktor Stalberg has been playing a solid overall game lately, and...stop it right there, as Eddie Olczyk would say. A six-game losing streak tends to cast a pall on even the positives right now.

Over these last half dozen games, Chicago has put up more than two goals just once. That was last Thursday, when the 'Hawks scored four and were still doubled up by the Oilers.

Against Calgary and again Tuesday with the Avalanche, the Blackhawks seemed unable to take it hard to the opposition without exposing themselves defensively. You can see the lack of confidence right now.

The forwards need to get some swagger in their games, like Kane after fighting off a back check and backhanding the tying goal past Jean-Sebastien Giguere in the second period.

Defense

Word is that the 'Hawks just gave up another odd-man rush to a pair of fight attendants on their way to the luggage claim.

Seriously, Colorado's speed up front, coupled with their willingness to play it fast and loose on the offensive end, doomed the Blackhawks.

Chicago could not get the puck deep into the Avalanche zone. Key turnovers by Jonathan Toews and Viktor Stalberg led to Colorado goals.

Marcus Kruger and Michael Frolik had the action in front of them before David Jones' back breaker of a fourth goal. They could see that their defensemen were both aggressively pinching to get crucial puck possesion and still found themselves out of position when Paul Stastny found Jones for up the ice.

The blue line had a tough time as well Tuesday. Duncan Keith misplayed a bouncing puck, which led to a goal. He and the rest of the defensive corps spent a lot of time sprawled on the ice attempting to shut down a host of 2-on-1's.

Steve Montador missed the third period and underwent x-rays in the lockeroom. Not a good sign when the two other available defensemen haven't been trusted to play more than five or six minutes a night. If Montador is out, expect Dylan Olsen to be flown out West and GM Stan Bowman to hit the phones with increased urgency.

Goaltending

Ray Emery wasn't bad in net, but for the third time in four games, the opposing goalie came up big in key moments while Chicago's net minders did not.

The 'Hawks have been looking across the ice at the better goalie every night of their current slump. Better goalie, hotter goalie, it matters not when that guy is taking points from Chicago.

Emery looked to be getting his audition for the starting job Tuesday as Corey Crawford posted inconsistent outings last week. However, Emery has been having trouble stopping the high shot, even when he had a good look at it.

The goalie situation goes hand and hand with the 'Hawks defensive issues. If Chicago can't prevent eight or nine odd man rushes a night, I'm not sure it matters who's in net. That said, the 'Hawks goalies can not afford to give up soft goals of any kind.

The Blackhawks may need to have Crawford or Emery stand on their head to snap the rest of the team out of the doldrums. That's a tall order for a tandem without a shutout this season.

The Power Play

The 'Hawks have had the opportunity to use the man advantage to get back into winnable games on the road trip but come up short each time.

Chicago avoided being whistled for a penalty for the second time on the road trip but was fruitless in three power play opportunities. Two of those came in the final period when the Blackhawks had a chance to tie the game.

Chicago has not converted a power play in ten chances on the road trip. Dating back to their last win over Florida, the 'Hawks are 2-for-20 with a man advantage. What has been a nagging issue at times this season is now costing Chicago in the standings.

What's Next?

Next up for the 'Hawks is Friday's visit to San Jose, where Antti Niemi is the latest in a growing line of net minders posing trouble for Chicago shooters.

Phoenix will be no easier on Saturday, as the Coyotes defeated the Red Wings earlier this week.

Forget style. The Blackhawks are in desperate need of a win or any kind. Since Edmonton, the team has been reeling on the ice. They're playing tight to the point of being scared.

As I said this weekend, help would be welcome. If Montador is missing substantial time, it's now desperately needed on defense. However, a new addition or two is not going to excuse the rest of the team from the responsibility of bringing their game to a winning level.

From Bowman to the coaching staff to the men on the ice, something's got to change.