The Blackhawks' record does not reflect their season so far: A clear misconception

Chicago has lost the first three games of the season 3-2, with one game being an overtime loss. They were tied going into the third period in all three games, beguiling the fans each time.

Their losses have come at the hands of the Florida Panthers, Boston Bruins (OT loss), and the Montreal Canadiens. The Panthers and Bruins are undefeated, and the Canadiens are 2-1. Three good teams, and the Blackhawks put up a great fight with all of them.

This team is way more watchable than last year's. The boys stand up for one another; like Bedard said, they aren't taking any s---- from anyone this season.

The skaters are fast. Spencer Knight and Arvid Soderblom have been standing on their heads and making diving saves. Everyone has been playing their hearts out, and it's turned into a solid on-ice product.

Is it frustrating to lose? Yes. It should be frustrating to lose. But this team is one hundred times better. There's going to be growing pains-this is the second youngest team in the league.

The real kicker is the Hawks could realistically be 2-1 right now. In the game with Boston, Chicago was robbed by Joonas Korpisalo twice in the overtime period, with an outrageous stick save on Nazar's A++ chance and then a quick glove on Connor Bedard's shot. Fraser Minten went down the ice soon after and scored the game winner.

Losing the game vs. Montreal was more of a fault of their own.

The Blackhawks took 11 penalties that game. It got so ridiculous to the point that Jeff Blashill started chuckling and telling the refs that Montreal's players were diving on the tripping calls. At least the coaching staff knows how good the penalty kill is now, as they killed ten out of the 11 penalties taken.

The ending of the game was just unfortunate, with Sam Rinzel being pushed into Knight and Nick Foligno falling down with the pile. Knight lost his stick, and the Canadiens scored with 15.6 seconds left to win the game 3-2.

Losing 3-2 to the back-to-back defending Stanley Cup Champions is self-explanatory in its own right. That rough first period defensively and then going back to old ways in the third just destroyed their chances.

One thing that has to change, though, is the approach of the third period. Last year, heading into the third period tied, the Blackhawks only won three of those games, which was the worst in the league.

This season, each game was tied at two heading into the final frame, and they've lost every single one.

Eventually, those losses will turn into wins, but it has to start relatively soon because this cannot be an issue when fighting for a playoff spot in the future.

Young guns are here and are excited to play, and that energy is spreading throughout the Windy City. The wins will come, but right now, hockey is somewhat fun again.