The Latest Breaking News from Blackhawks

The Hawks have plenty of speed but struggle to string together tape-to-tape passes. That means they fare much better against neutral-zone defenses like the Flyers’ than the conservative Kings’ and Canucks’.

The chances of either leaving weren’t great, but the drawn-out process had fans concerned that another misstep by the organization was occurring.

The Hawks’ streak of six wins in seven games — now firmly in the past after consecutive lethargic losses — did move them out of last place in the NHL, but only barely. With 36 games left, there’s plenty of time to slide back down again.

The Hawks mustered just five shots at even strength and 14 total in a 5-2 defeat Tuesday in Vancouver, squandering a quality effort by Petr Mrazek.

ST. LOUIS — The Blues didn’t start their season-long seven-game homestand the way they wanted to. They didn’t finish it that way, either.

The Hawks were just a sideshow Tuesday in Vancouver for Rick Tocchet’s first game as Canucks coach — the end result of a coaching change handled with embarrassing sloppiness.

Bruce there it is.

On Sunday, Mitchell was given an opportunity and connected for his first goal of the season in what ended up a 2-1 loss to the Kings. The third-period score is what coach Luke Richardson wants to see from Mitchell: a strong and accurate right-handed shot that exhibited his offensive ability.

After winning six of their last seven games, the Hawks lost to the Kings and didn’t do much to support goalie Petr Mrazek until Ian Mitchell’s third-period goal.

Even though his scoring is down, Kane’s sacrificing for the Hawks has stood out to Richardson.

Players have long mentioned “good ice” or “bad ice.” But what qualities exactly make ice the best, and which arenas check those boxes?