The Chicago Blackhawks didn’t lose 5-3 to the New Jersey Devils Wednesday night because of a lack of effort or energy. They lost because they couldn’t close the talent gap between the two teams. Every mistake seemed to cost the Blackhawks,

Devils forward Dawson Mercer scored a critical power-play goal during the second period of the Hawks' 5-3 loss Wednesday after a strangely officiated situation.

What really cost the Chicago Blackhawks in their 5-3 loss to the New Jersey Devils on Wednesday? By everything I saw on social media — yes, I know this could be a unwise testing ground in itself — there were a lot of fans angry that Šimon Nemec wasn’t called for a penalty for his physical interaction with Connor Bedard during the second period,