5 Reasons why the Blackhawks lost the 2025 Winter Classic 6-2
The St Louis Blues beat the Chicago Blackhawks, 6-2, at the Winter Classic.
1. Embarrassing - There's just no other way to describe this. It was embarrassing. The last three Hawks games have been nationally televised. The Blackhawks have been outscored 17-6 across those games against the Buffalo Sabres on Friday, the Dallas Stars on Sunday, and now the Blues. That's the worst stretch of hockey played this year, and that's saying something. It doesn't get any better, as the game on Sunday is on ABC when they play the New York Rangers, and the game next Wednesday is on TNT when they play the Colorado Avalanche. They normally don't play like a last place team, but during this stretch, they did, and a long, hard look should be made at this team to see who stays and goes at the trade deadline and the off-season.
2. The Power Play - The power play is the only positive thing about tonight, as the Blackhawks converted on it once during the first period to cut the lead in half and once in garbage time. The first goal came from Taylor Hall when the Blues couldn't clear and Ryan Donato shot one off the pad of Jordan Binnington and Hall caught the rebound and deposited it for a goal. The goal from Bertuzzi didn't really matter, but it's a good stat to have on the power play percentage, if anything.
3. Seth Jones - It's unfortunate Jones has the contract he does with the NTC because he's not good. Jones was on the ice for two goals tonight after being on for three goals against the Dallas Stars on Sunday. Jones was caught multiple times tonight and was either in the way so Mrazek couldn't see the puck or was just plain skated around. The puck always seems to trickle by him on the blue line and he always turns it over in the defensive zone like he did tonight early in the first period which led to two high-end chances for the Blues. He's gonna be a bear to have in a few years.
4. The Penalty Kill - The PK has been good all year and was one of the things Chicago could be proud about, but tonight, it was below-par. Cam Fowler, in his 1,000th NHL game, had a PPG and Jordan Kyrou had a PPG. The Hawks struggled to clear all night long and St Louis controlled the pace entirely.
5. Mrazek Left to Dry - In his last two starts, Petr has let up ten goals. However, most of those aren't his fault, as the defense has failed him multiple times. Whether it's turning the puck over and it leads to a breakaway, two-on-one's, or just plain in Mrazek's way so he can't see the puck, it's a shame. Sure, Mrazek could've done better, but he needs support, too.
