Before Saturday's game, Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville was asked how the games went just before the Hawks embark on their annual trip to Las Vegas.
"Flip a coin," said Quenneville. "You know some real good and some real bastards."
Saturday's game could be considered a bit of both.
The Hawks played better than they had in a victory over the Edmonton Oilers on Wednesday and lost overtime to the Calgary Flames on Friday, but still came out on the wrong end of a loss to the Vancouver Canucks 6-3.
Some familiar enemies have done in the Hawks Henrik and Daniel Sedin.
Daniel Sedin tallied a hat trick, including two goals after Artem Anisimov center Hawks tied the game 3-3 in the third period, while Henrik Sedin had a goal and four assists.
"We gave up half the chances we did the last two games, but the bad guys had chances tonight," said Quenneville said.
There were some good points for the Hawks. Trevor Daley had two assists and the Hawks offense picked up a little momentum after Quenneville decided to change his lines in a radical way. Quenneville moved Marian Hossa on the top line and he skated on the third line with Andrew Desjardins and Marcus Kruger.
He also paired Ryan Garbutt and Andrew Shaw Jonathan Toews, a movement that had a certain advantage. Toews and Shaw were among the leaders of the Hawks in Corsi plus-minus. Garbutt scored his first goal as a Blackhawk in the first period.
"They had a little energy, they got the speed, they had rhythm, they had the puck, had time to attacking zone," said Quenneville. "They scored. Many things we wanted. It was a dangerous line."
Meanwhile, Patrick Kane extended his point series of 16 games with assistance on the secondary purpose of Anisimov in the third.
"Actually, I thought we played well enough for most games, you put 3-3, then a couple moves later, you're down 4-3 and 5-3 really fast and it's frustrating" said Kane. "But these guys have made some good games tonight."
These guys would be the Sedin. With the score tied at 3-3, Daniel Sedin took a pass from Henrik along the left circle and beat Crawford short side at 14:35. Sedin then ran a give-and-go that led to a third goal from Daniel night.
"I do not know if they are getting better, but they are not getting any worse," said Quenneville said. "They have always been quite effective, dangerous. Tonight was one of those nights where they had the magic touch and they were good."
The Hawks now head to Las Vegas for some rest and relaxation before facing the Sharks on Wednesday in San Jose. While Saturday's score was lopsided, they do not leave Canada in a total funk.
"You play well on the road, it's 3-3 and then give you up to two faster, then you are out of the game," said Kane. "That's what's frustrating, but even if we got points in our last two games I thought (Saturday) was a better effort. "
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