Blackhawks rally once but not twice in loss to Sabres

The Blackhawks managed to climb out of one hole but not two in a 4-2 loss Saturday against the Sabres.

Coach Luke Richardson described the Hawks’ first period as their worst since the first period of the season opener in Utah, and although they did briefly tie the game in the second period, their strong effort over the final 40 minutes wasn’t enough to earn a victory.

“That first period stings because it takes a lot of the wasted energy out of us,” Richardson said. “It takes a lot to get it going halfway through the game. They did a good job of that, but obviously it cost us in the end.”

Tage Thompson and Beck Malenstyn scored three minutes apart in the opening frame to give the Sabres a 2-0 lead, and then JJ Peterka took advantage of a sloppy shift by Hawks defenseman TJ Brodie late in the second period to restore the Sabres’ lead for good.

In between, Hawks forward Lukas Reichel produced arguably his best period in years in the second period, recording the primary assists on two Craig Smith goals. He made a pinpoint pass across the ice in the neutral zone to set up the first goal, then decisively cut into the slot for a grade-A scoring chance that Smith buried for the second goal.

Reichel also got involved on the forecheck, had four shots on goal and even delivered a couple hits — leaning into his fourth-line role, imperfect as it may be for him. The Hawks outshot the Sabres 37-22 overall, including 12-2 during Reichel’s shifts.

“[Reichel and Smith] played together as a line,” Richardson said. “Some of the other lines, especially early in the game, were too far away from each other. We weren’t slashing and supporting, which we’ve been doing well when we have success.”

Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made two big saves in the final minutes on Philipp Kurashev and Teuvo Teravainen to preserve the lead before Ryan McLeod buried a late empty-netter. Pat Maroon (lower body) and Joey Anderson (illness) both missed the game for the Hawks.

Construction underway

During the Hawks’ season-opening road trip, construction on Fifth Third Arena’s expansion along Jackson Ave. took off in a far more visible way, with steel frames now rising several stories out of the formerly empty lot.

The expansion will increase the number of rinks at the Hawks’ practice facility from two to four, with one of the new rinks being surrounded by 1,500 seats in order to host larger events. The $448 million project is expected to be completed in early 2026.

Slaggert staying

The Hawks signed prospect forward Landon Slaggert to a two-year contract extension Friday that will carry a $900,000 salary-cap hit through the 2026-27 season.

Slaggert, despite signing his entry-level contract late last season, was previously slated to be a restricted free agent after this season because he stayed in college at Notre Dame for four years.

This gives the Hawks a longer runway to integrate him into their NHL roster, and the fact the extension is one-way might be a sign they’re hoping to do that sooner rather than later. He has tallied two points in three AHL games so far this season after recording four points in 16 NHL games last spring.

“This is a good year for him to develop,” Richardson said. “If he gets games up here at some point, great. But if not, that’s what Rockford is for.”