Blackhawks muster little offensive punch, lose sixth consecutive game

The break can't come soon enough for the Blackhawks after losing 3-1 to the Flyers on Tuesday, their sixth straight.

The Hawks couldn't capitalize on any of their four power-play chances. They also had a couple of mishaps — their NHL-leading eighth bench minor, and an ill-timed goalie pull that led to an empty-net goal — that showed just how thin the margin for error is for this group without forwards Connor Bedard and Frank Nazar.

Forward Ryan Donato scored the Hawks’ lone goal with 1:30 left in the second period. It was his first goal since Nov. 28. He said that although he did feel some relief, he wasn't concerned about his drought; he had been generating chances over that drought.

"It’s just [a] matter of [having] one go in," he said. "You have one called back. It stinks, but it happens. Then definitely a little bit of weight off the shoulders, but it’s just a matter of keep on getting those chances."

Coach Jeff Blashill thought that Donato played a good game. But for the Sox to snap this losing streak, it's going to take more than him to be impactful offensively.

"I think all of us got to step up," Donato said. "It's a next-man-up mentality. Hear that a lot, but that's the case here."

Blashill thought the Hawks threw the puck around too much in the second period and that the group didn't play well after the Flyers scored to go up 2-0. The Hawks certainly made mistakes, but this type of low-scoring game is the style the Hawks will have to play while they wait for offensive reinforcements.

The Hawks will have a three-day break before flying to Dallas on Saturday. Donato said he hopes that the team can return after the break renewed with positive energy.

"Hopefully, we can come back buzzing after the break," he said.

Foligno close to return

Captain Nick Foligno is nearing a return from a hand injury that has sidelined him since mid-November.

Foligno practiced in full Monday for the first time since suffering the injury and participated in the Hawks’ morning skate Tuesday. Blashill said he hopes Foligno can return after the Christmas break.

That’s good news for the Hawks, who can use forward help after losing Bedard (shoulder) and Nazar (face) to injuries.

‘‘[Foligno is] a guy who knows when to say something, when to stand up and talk,’’ Blashill said. ‘‘[He] knows when to take charge outside of the coaching, but also . . . he’s a guy who can go and tilt the ice. He can go and make sure the momentum doesn’t keep going the other way, whether that’s through good defending [or] whether that’s through playing in the ‘O’ zone. Those guys are important.

‘‘Guys who can go out and change momentum or eat minutes, defend [well], play in the ‘O’ zone, have a physical hit, those guys are really important. That’s a piece we certainly missed with him out of the lineup.’’

Even though Foligno has been out, teammates say he still has been connected and communicative.

‘‘His impact and presence is still there,’’ rookie forward Oliver Moore said. ‘‘But having him in the lineup is even more important. He brings so much to the team.’’

Adding Foligno’s safe and structured play will be beneficial as the Hawks play a more predictable style of hockey without their best offensive players.

Moore learning as he goes

Moore, 20, was a part of the Hawks’ power play for the first time Tuesday. He entered the game with three goals and six assists in 23 games.

Blashill said he has been pleased with Moore’s disposition and progress so far, but he also said there are moments he wants Moore to learn from. On Saturday against the Senators, Moore got the puck stripped from him by Brady Tkachuk.

‘‘Hopefully the next time he’s in that spot, he remembers that and uses his body a little bit and does things differently,’’ Blashill said. ‘‘You have to learn at some point, and he’s learning as we go.”