Blackhawks lose to Wild despite playing well enough to ‘win that game 98% of the time’

ST. PAUL, Minn. — With every ensuing meeting, it feels more and more like the Wild have a hex on the Blackhawks.

The Hawks played well overall Tuesday and gave up relatively few scoring chances, but the Wild capitalized on every infrequent opportunity to rally back and beat the Hawks 4-3 in a shootout.

It marked the Hawks’ 17th loss in their last 18 games against the Wild and their ninth consecutive loss in Minnesota dating back to 2019. They’ve blown multi-goal leads in three of the last five, including a 3-0 advantage halfway through the second period Tuesday.

“When you take the emotion out of it — which is, obviously, we’re frustrated — the chances we [calculated] were 23-14 [in our favor], coach Jeff Blashill said. “You’re going to win that game 98% of the time. We just didn’t win it tonight. I thought that’s the best we’ve played in a while, to be honest.”

The game felt almost like a replay of the two teams’ last meeting Nov. 26 in Chicago, when the Hawks largely controlled play but the Wild somehow snatched a 4-3 overtime win.

“I don’t think we got away from our game,” forward Frank Nazar said. “[There was] some sloppiness with the puck or some [bad] decisions. But really, honestly, I thought we played a great game.”

The Hawks’ power play continues to be an Achilles heel. They went 0-for-5 on Tuesday, including coming up short on a golden opportunity to win the game with a four-on-three advantage for the last 1:56 of overtime. They’re now 0-for-22 over the last eight games.

Something brewing

One encouraging sign Tuesday: the Hawks might have found something in their new-look first line of Connor Bedard, Frank Nazar and Teuvo Teravainen.

Teravainen banged in a loose puck in the crease during their first shift, and the trio continued to click as the night progressed.

A Nazar-to-Bedard seam pass in the second period and a Bedard-to-Nazar saucer pass on a rush in the third both represented Grade-A chances. The Hawks outshot the Wild 11-3 during their five-on-five ice time together.

“[Connor] and Frank, I haven’t seen them play lots together, [and] I thought they were really good together,” Blashill said. “They showed a lot of skill. They fed each other in good spots.”

Right after his interview ended, Blashill called over a dejected Bedard to offer encouragement. Bedard attempted 11 shots and got eight on goal, but Wild goalie Jesper Wallstedt denied him every time — continuing a theme since Bedard returned from injury.

Nazar and Teravainen, as arguably the most talented linemates Bedard has ever played with, look capable of snapping him out of his funk.

Moore the merrier

Tuesday marked Oliver Moore’s first NHL regular-season game in his home state of Minnesota, although he did previously make a preseason appearance here.

He had a huge group of supporters at Grand Casino Arena. His dad bought 50 tickets, his girlfriend’s family added another 15, and then there were his childhood and college friends. Plus, Tuesday marked the start of the Hawks’ “mom’s trip,” so the entire team had a dedicated cheering suite.

It’s notable Moore played center, too. He has found he’s “most comfortable” in the middle — in his words — after starting the season on the wing. His defensive acumen has convinced Blashill to let him stay there.

“[He’s] learning to check low,” Blashill said. His skating ability and tenacity can allow that even though he’s not 6-foot-4.”