Top Blackhawks Prospect Frank Nazar III Scores on First Shot on Goal...but Lose to Hurricanes
Frank Nazar had an NHL debut to remember, but the Blackhawks fall to the Hurricanes in the final home game of the season.
USA Today Network, Jamie Sabau - Top Blackhawks Prospect Frank Nazar III Scores on First Shot on Goal...but Lose to HurricanesFrank Nazar III, the Chicago Blackhawks' second ranked prospect in THN's 2024 Future Watch, made his NHL debut on Sunday and scored on his first shot on goal.
The Blackhawks were defeated by the Carolina Hurricanes 4-2 in the final home game of the 2023-24 season. The game wasn't a pretty one, but the Blackhawks had a lot of energy out of the gate against a Stanley Cup contender.
The big storyline of the game was the NHL debut of Frank Nazar and the game couldn't have started any better for him. He took the opening draw (winning it), then got the best chance of the game early on the power play, just missing the net. The rookie was utilized on the third line and second power-play unit this afternoon.
At just 10 minutes into the game, the Blackhawks got their first shot of the game by none other than Nazar. This came on a breakaway for his first NHL goal. After a fun celebration, the game remained in the Hurricanes' control despite trailing the Blackhawks. Nazar was just the second Blackhawks player to score in his debut since Dennis Rasmussen in 2015. The other was David Gust in February of 2023.
The second period started the same way as the first, Nazar out there to win the draw again. There were chances on both sides, but the Hurricanes came away with the only goal of the period to tie the game.
As noted in a recent piece on The Hockey News' Blackhawks team site, Kevin Korchinski has had no consistency when it comes to defense partners this season and that is tough. Right as he was getting some stability with Jaycob Megna as his regular partner, the veteran came out and Jarred Tinordi replaced him in the lineup beside Korchinski, moving the rookie to his off-side. Connor Murphy, the veteran who was initially playing beside Korchinski before missing time, is still with Ethan Del Mastro to help guide him on the third pairing.
While the attention was on Nazar, Petr Mrazek was once again stellar between the pipes. Where would the Blackhawks be without him this season? The Hurricanes had tons of sustained pressure for extended periods of time throughout the game and got to Mrazek for three goals (two on the power play), but he kept Chicago in the game. Carolina ended up scoring two third period power-play goals followed by an empty-net goal.
The Blackhawks had a few noticeable players other than Nazar and Mrazek in the game.
Andreas Athanasiou had one of his most impressive games of his injury-riddled season, scoring a goal. Unfortunately, it appeared as though he suffered another injury on his second collision with Pyotr Kochetkov, the Hurricanes goalie. Despite no points, Connor Bedard was noticeable as he always is. There has been a lot of weight on his shoulders this season as a rookie. Seth Jones also had a solid game and made plays at both ends of the ice.
In the end, the Blackhawks couldn't contain the Hurricanes' power play and that inevitably sunk them. Nazar looked good in his debut, but the Hurricanes are a top team and the Blackhawks are going to finish 31st. Chicago gave it a good effort.