from Scott Powers of ESPN Chicago,

The Blackhawks were playing their seventh game in 11 days, their longest stretch of the season, on Sunday, and it showed. The Blackhawks' tired minds and bodies were on full display in the opening period as the Oilers jumped on them for a 4-0 lead.

The Oilers beat them physically in the first period, but the Blackhawks also made careless errors. They had five giveaways in the first period and 19 for the game. They came into the game averaging 7.2 giveaways.

"We were on the receiving end," Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville said. "They're a dangerous team. I think some mistakes mentally. We weren't sharp. Just kind of coverage and awareness things that normally [we're fine with.]"

Blackhawks winger Patrick Kane admitted the stretch had likely worn him and his teammates down.

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