CHICAGO _ Instead of heading into the holiday break with a little hope, the Blackhawks will have to wonder if there's any way they can salvage the season.
The Hawks were devoured 7-1 by the Devils _ who have the second-fewest points in the league _ on Monday night at the United Center in a disastrous game that not only failed to build on the momentum from consecutive road wins, but also might have cost them the services of Adam Boqvist.
Boqvist, the Hawks' first-round pick in 2018, left early in the first period with what the Hawks described as a right shoulder injury and did not return.
The Devils' Jesper Boqvist _ Adam's older brother by two years _ also apparently suffered a first-period injury and left the game.
But the story of the game was how the Hawks, who dropped to 15-17-6, turned in their worst period and worst game of the season at the worst possible time.
After trading first-period goals by the Hawks' Zack Smith and the Devils' Jack Hughes, the Devils bombarded the Hawks in the second period. P.K. Subban, Damon Severson and former Hawk John Hayden scored to drive Corey Crawford from the game after giving up four goals on 20 shots.
The Devils added a short-handed goal after Robin Lehner relieved Crawford to make it 5-1. They outshot the Hawks 23-8 in the second period and 44-32 overall. It marked the 10th game this season the Hawks have allowed at least 40 shots on goal.
Any hope the Hawks had to pull off a miracle _ as they did Thursday night against the Avalanche when they scored four third-period goals _ was dashed early in the final period. Just 18 seconds in, Blake Coleman burst up the middle and beat Lehner with a wrist shot to put the Devils up 6-1.
The first period appeared to be setting up an entertaining game. It was as physical a 20 minutes as the Hawks have seen all season. There were a combined 10 penalties, including seven by the Devils.
But the Hawks went 0-for-4 on the power play in the period and failed to score on seven opportunities for the game.
Dennis Gilbert brought out his physical game once again, this time getting into a scrap with Hayden. After Gilbert laid out Miles Wood, Hayden jumped in and both players received fighting majors, while Hayden got an instigating penalty.
The Hawks are off until Friday, when they play host to the Islanders at the United Center.
