Confidence continues to build within the Chicago Blackhawks’ dressing room, a movement that’s translating to success.
The Blackhawks, who host the Calgary Flames on Tuesday, are riding a 4-0-1 tear over the past five games and collected points in seven of their last nine.
“All of us in here know we can do anything we put our minds to,” Blackhawks forward Frank Nazar said. “That’s how we’re going into each game. … We’ve played some great teams, and we’re stuck right in there with a ton of them.”
The Blackhawks are surging without several veterans who help sustain their young core. Tyler Bertuzzi and Jason Dickinson missed Saturday’s 3-2 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs due to injury, and captain and fellow forward Nick Foligno left the game after getting hit near the left hand on a blocked shot.
The initial prognosis for Foligno’s return is four weeks, creating an opportunity for others to take charge against the Flames and going forward.
“Nick’s a big loss from the leadership standpoint,” Chicago coach Jeff Blashill said. “He’s a great leader in the room. Our guys have tons of respect for him (and) he’s an extension of the coaching staff. Not to say he won’t be around, but it’s a little different when you’re not in there, game in and game out. But we’ll certainly make sure we work to include him.”
Calgary enters Tuesday with 13 points, the fewest in the NHL, but has continued to battle.
After a 3-2 defeat in St. Louis on Nov. 11 stretched their losing streak to three, the Flames rebounded with a home shutout of San Jose before falling 4-3 to Winnipeg in a shootout on Saturday.
“We have to fight for every point, every win,” Calgary defenseman Kevin Bahl said. “Every guy in this room is a competitive guy. I don’t think it’s going to be one of those things where guys just let it get out of control. We’re going to fight every single night.”
The Flames are looking to avenge a 4-0 home loss to the Blackhawks on Nov. 7. That game featured Spencer Knight’s 33-save shutout and a one goal, three-assist effort from Connor Bedard, whose nine-game point streak ended against Toronto.
Calgary will be without forward Sam Honzek, who was drafted 15 spots after Bedard, the top selection in the 2023 NHL Draft. Honzek is week-to-week after sustaining an injury in a collision with teammate Mikael Backlund on Saturday.
Backlund said Honzek has “been taking a big step this year and he’s worked really hard to earn his spot and get to play every night and play on the (penalty kill) and to play regular minutes.”
The Flames gradually are rebuilding their attack after consecutive shutout losses, having scored seven goals in the past three games. Coach Ryan Huska credited an emphasis on increased shots from defensemen.
“We have to keep shooting the puck from the point, from everywhere, and make sure we’re hungry for rebounds,” Huska said.
