OTTAWA, Ontario – The Chicago Blackhawks faced another setback when Frank Nazar was hit in the face by a puck during Saturday’s 6-4 loss to Ottawa. The injury happened just five minutes into the game while he was trying to play defensively against a shot from Senators defenseman Jordan Spence. Coach Jeff Blashill said Nazar will be out for about four weeks, adding, “He got hit right in the face.”
This loss adds to the team’s struggles. They were already without star player Connor Bedard, who leads the team with 19 goals and 25 assists. Bedard is sidelined with a shoulder injury and is expected to be out until early January.
Captain Nick Foligno hasn’t played since mid-November due to a hand injury. His return would help boost the team’s depth, which has been tested lately. Blashill emphasized the importance of stepping up during challenging times. He remarked, “As a group, we need to get more out of more guys.” As players take on bigger roles, their performance becomes even more crucial.
Nazar has shown promise on the ice, with six goals and 15 assists this season. He was a first-round pick in the 2022 NHL Draft and signed a seven-year contract extension in August.
Despite being tied at 3 after two periods, the Blackhawks’ struggles continued as David Perron scored twice for the Senators in the third period. This marked the team’s fifth straight loss, dropping them to 3-11-2 over their last 16 games.
Historically, teams facing a string of injuries often struggle to maintain performance. Experts in sports psychology suggest that resilience can be built during these tough times, but it requires strong leadership and teamwork. Social media reactions have echoed frustration among fans, many calling for more accountability and depth from the roster.
For more insights on the challenges teams face during injury struggles, check out this NHL injury analysis.
