Bedard minus-4, Mrazek disappointing, and more: 3 reasons why Chicago Blackhawks lost 6-3 to Columbus Blue Jackets

The Chicago Blackhawks dropped a 6-3 decision against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Sunday at the United Center. Despite three power play goals, Blackhawks were unable to keep up with the Blue Jackets.

Ivan Provorov, Kent Johnson, Sean Monahan, Dante Fabbro, Kirill Marchenko, and Dmitri Voronkov scored for the Jackets. Connor Bedard, Craig Smith, and Nick Foligno scored for the Blackhawks.

So, here’s a closer look at the three key reasons why the Chicago Blackhawks lost to the Columbus Blue Jackets.

3 reasons why Chicago Blackhawks lost to Columbus Blue Jackets

#3 The Blue Jackets outplayed the Blackhawks

Overall, the Blue Jackets outplayed the Chicago Blackhawks. The Jackets won over 55% of the faceoffs while outshooting the Hawks 36-31. The Blue Jackets played a more physical game, getting the edge in hits 30-21.

Columbus also blocked more shots 11-8, neutralizing the Blackhawks’ attack, particularly down the final stretch of the game.

Columbus netminder Elvis Merzlikins had a strong game, making 28 saves on the night. The three goals he surrendered came on the power play. However, Merzlikins shut the door the rest of the way, keeping the Blackhawks attack at bay.

#2 Mrazek disappointed

On the flip side, Chicago Blackhawks’ goaltender Petr Mrazek disappointed. While he made 30 saves, he gave up five goals on the night. The Blue Jackets added an empty-netter to seal the win, tallying a half-dozen on the Blackhawks.

Sunday’s performance was particularly disappointing in light of his overall numbers this season. Mrazek has seven wins in 18 games, posting a 2.79 GAA and a .908 SV%. While not Vezina-caliber numbers, Mrazek’s stats are solid given how poor the Blackhawks have been this season.

#1 Chicago stars finished on the minus side

Connor Bedard went minus-4 on the night, with Nick Foligno and Taylor Hall registering a minus-3. The numbers speak for themselves. The Blue Jackets beat the Chicago Blackhawks with their best players on the ice.

Provorov’s goal was a good example of the lack of defensive coverage by Chicago. The Blue Jackets cycled the puck around the Blackhawks’ zone until it came back to the point. There, Provorov let go of a strong wrister that beat Mrazek with Monahan serving as a screen.

No one picked up Monahan and no one blocked Provorov’s shot. The play illustrates how poorly the Blackhawks covered the defensive zone the entire game.

The Blackhawks will get a chance to recover on Monday before taking on the Toronto Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena on Tuesday night.