Blackhawks fall short in loss to Rangers

10 observations: Blackhawks fall short in loss to Rangers originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago

NEW YORK — The Blackhawks fell to the New York Rangers 3-2 at Madison Square Garden on Saturday.

Here are 10 observations from the loss:

1. The Blackhawks had 10 high-danger chances during 5-on-5 action, according to Natural Stat Trick. They allowed only three. The Rangers capitalized on their chances, though, and the Blackhawks didn’t.

2. The Rangers had 10:23 of offensive zone possession time, according to Sportlogiq. Their season average per game is 6:42. The Blackhawks had 5:31 of offensive zone possession time.

3. The Blackhawks suffered their first regulation loss of the season when leading after one period. They were 3-0-1 in the prior four games.

4. The Rangers had given up only 11 goals in the first period through their first 22 games, which was tied for the fewest among any team. The Blackhawks scored in the opening frame and could’ve had a couple more, but Patrick Kane hit the crossbar and Josiah Slavin’s shot on an almost wide-open net in the opening minutes of the game was blocked.

5. Kane put the Blackhawks on the board with 23 seconds left in the first period. Brandon Hagel batted the puck down and Kane buried home the rebound. The Rangers challenged that there should’ve been a whistle for a high-stick but lost it. The NHL’s ruling: “The Situation Room supported the Referee’s call on the ice that Brandon Hagel’s stick was not above the normal height of his shoulders when he batted the puck.”

6. The Washington Capitals hit six goal posts against Chicago on Thursday. The Blackhawks hit three of them against the Rangers on Saturday. The luck flipped.

7. Dylan Strome beat his brother twice at the faceoff circle, but Ryan scored a goal, added two assists and picked up his sixth victory against Dylan, who has yet to beat Ryan in his NHL career.

8. Popeye Jones was in the house and it’s the first time he was able to watch his sons Caleb and Seth play as members of…