10 observations: Blackhawks set franchise record with 20th straight ro…

10 observations: Blackhawks set franchise record with 20th straight road loss originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago

Presented by Nationwide Insurance Agent Jeff Vukovich

The Chicago Blackhawks were shut out for the fourth time in six games after being blanked by the Calgary Flames 1-0 on Saturday at Scotiabank Saddledome.

Here are 10 observations from the loss:

1. The Blackhawks have officially set a new franchise record by losing their 20th consecutive game on the road. The previous longest was 19 games, which came from the 2003-04 season. The Blackhawks are 0-19-1 in their last 20 away from home.

2. The Blackhawks had an expected Goals For of 2.86, per Natural Stat Trick. Their actual goals: 0. They deserved better after generating nine even-strength high-danger chances in the first period and 13 total, which is a new season-high. Their previous high was 12, which they had done three times.

3. Hard to be disappointed by the Blackhawks’ effort, especially for the first 40 minutes. They were in control for most of the game before the Flames tilted the ice in their favor in the third period. Calgary’s lone goal came in the second on the power play.

4. This was one of Lukas Reichel’s best games in quite some time. He moved his feet, skated with confidence, and created multiple chances. The exact kind of performance you hoped he would have to take into the break.

5. Boris Katchouk had two breakaways in this game. Philipp Kurashev had another, and Reichel had a half-breakaway too. I’m probably missing another one. The Blackhawks just couldn’t capitalize on any of them. That sums up the offense pretty well right now.

6. Petr Mrazek stopped the first 21 shots he faced before Calgary scored the lone goal of the game on the power play in the second period. He finished with 29 saves on 30 shots for a save percentage of .967. He’s been the team MVP to this point.

7. The Blackhawks didn’t have a single power play against Edmonton on Thursday after having a strong…