NFL Show
The Chicago Blackhawks face the New Jersey Devils with both teams on opposite ends of the standings to start the season. The Blackhawks have a 7-13-4 record and have only won one of their last 10 games to put them in last place in the Central Division. The Devils have a 20-4-1 record and with eight wins in their last 10 games, they have the best record in the Metropolitan Division. The Blackhawks are hoping to turn their season around while the Devils hope to remain one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference, making the upcoming game a pivotal one for both teams.
The Blackhawks are falling apart this year with their offense scoring only 2.54 goals per game and being shut out in their most recent game. While Patrick Kane, Max Domi, and Jonathan Toews have scored 21 goals and 32 assists, the rest of the offense has struggled. Only four skaters have scored five goals or more while only five skaters have seven assists or more and opposing defenses can eliminate the hapless offense as a result.
The offense has struggled but the defense has also unraveled, allowing 3.58 goals per game including 17 in the last four games. Jake McCabe and Connor Murphy have combined for 2.8 defensive point shares but the rest of the unit has been awful, allowing opponents to find open shots on the net at will. In addition, goaltender Petr Mrazek has struggled in the net with a .884 save percentage and a 4.05 goals-against average on 293 shots.