Another game, another heartbreak for the Chicago Blackhawks? Yeah, it’s starting to feel that way. Just when they thought they had it in the bag, Martin Necas flipped the script with a clutch tip-in goal—just 11 seconds before the final buzzer. Talk about gut-wrenching! With Colorado’s net empty and Cale Makar firing from the blue line, Necas found the perfect moment to redirect the puck and silence the home crowd. And from there? Nathan MacKinnon and Artturi Lehkonen sealed the deal in the shootout, handing the Avalanche a 3-2 comeback win at United Center.

While the Chicago Blackhawks were left picking up the pieces after their fourth straight loss, there was another L lurking in the background—one that had nothing to do with the scoreboard. Fans weren’t just dealing with a tough stretch of games; they were dealing with a tough schedule altogether. And the numbers don’t lie—attendance took a noticeable dip, making it clear that Chicago’s faithful are feeling the strain. A losing streak and a scheduling headache? Yeah, it’s not a great time to be a Hawks fan.

Ben Pope, the go-to guy for all things Chicago Blackhawks over at Chicago Sun-Times, hopped on X after the game to drop some attendance tea. And let’s just say, the numbers weren’t exactly something to brag about. He spilled, “Blackhawks attendance: 16,649. Fourth-smallest crowd of the season in the last weeknight game. We’ll see how many of them stick around past 11pm!” Yikes.

It’s no secret that late games and a tough season don’t exactly scream must-see hockey, but this? This was another sign that fans might be checking out before the final buzzer. And hey, with the last game dragging past midnight, can you really blame folks for heading out early? Maybe catching some sleep won over watching the final buzzer!

To really drive the point home, Pope even dropped a graph showing just how wild the attendance swings have been for the Chicago Blackhawks this season. The peak? A packed house of 20,627 against Dallas in December—probably fueled by holiday spirit and a matchup worth watching. And the lowest turnout? That honor (or dishonor) goes to a January showdown against the Hurricanes, where only 15,831 fans showed up to witness the action. From December highs to January lows, it’s clear Chicago’s love for the Blackhawks is still there… but patience? That might be running out.

Back in 2022, the New York Times crunched the numbers, and Chicago Blackhawks’ average attendance sat at 15,833. But when they zoomed out and compared it to the pre-COVID days? Oof. The Hawks were once pulling in an average of 21,441 fans—meaning a whopping 5,608 people have vanished from the stands. And let’s be real, it’s not just the losing streak hitting hard. With Ls stacking up and seats emptying out, Chicago isn’t just fighting for wins—they’re fighting to keep the crowd in the game!

Chicago Blackhawks in a tough spot!

As per a report by Hawks Insider from March, being the second-worst team in the Western Conference with no real game plan? Yeah, that’s not exactly the golden ticket to filling seats—especially when ticket prices are sky-high. Even with the historic weight of being an Original Six franchise, the Blackhawks just aren’t pulling in the crowds like they used to. And even with 2023’s first-overall pick, Connor Bedard, lacing up for them in his second season, the excitement hasn’t translated into packed stands. Case in point? A 3-1 loss to the Los Angeles Kings saw just 16,981 fans in the United Center—nowhere near a sellout. And that was already the fourth time this season attendance dipped below 17,000.

At 20-40-9 and sitting at 49 points, the Hawks were barely staying ahead of the San Jose Sharks, who were chilling at rock bottom. And yeah, no shocker here—they were recently kicked out of playoff contention. But here’s where it stings for longtime fans: attendance issues are creeping back in, just like the early and mid-2000s, when the United Center felt more like a ghost town than the madhouse it’s supposed to be. Back then, less than half of its 21,000 seats were filled, and, well, you can thank former owner Bill Wirtz for that one—his refusal to televise home games turned off an entire generation of fans.

But then came the golden years. The NHL Blackhawks drafted Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane, and suddenly, Chicago had a team worth rallying behind. The United Center? It transformed into the new “Madhouse on Madison,” rocking with sellout crowds. Three Stanley Cups (2010, 2013, 2015) later, it became the place to be. From March 2008 to October 2021, every single home game was packed to the rafters. And now? Those days feel like a distant memory. The seats are emptier, the energy is fading, and the Blackhawks are searching for a way to bring the madhouse magic back.