@ Chicago

Another masterclass in the fine art of the letdown. Ryan Greene opened the scoring for Chicago, because making prospects look like Conn Smythe candidates is a proud Blue and White tradition. Nicholas Robertson managed to spark a flicker of joy by tying the game before the first intermission, and when Morgan Rielly hammered home a lead in the second period, the collective delusion of the fanbase started to simmer. For a brief stretch, it actually looked like outshooting the opposition might result in a functional victory.

The third period arrived with the inevitable return to reality. Teuvo Teravainen erased the lead, and Colton Dach followed up with the go-ahead goal to ensure the flight home would be appropriately miserable. Losing 3-2 while putting 33 shots on net is the kind of mathematical anomaly only this roster can provide. It is another classic chapter in the book of "How to Lose to Teams You Should Probably Beat," and at this point, the emotional masochism is just part of the season ticket package.