Blackhawks Vs. Avalanche: Chicago Players Discuss Losing Skid

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By Bradley Woodrum - Newsdesk contributor

CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 30: Dave Bolland #36 of the Chicago Blackhawks watches the action from the bench against the Detroit Red Wings at the United Center on December 30, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. The Blackhawks defeated the Red Wings 3-2. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

The Blackhawks players are frustrated as the teams slides down the Central Division Standings.

Feb 6, 2012 - The Chicago Blackhawks (29-17-7, 65) are riding a five-game losing streak and have sunken to fourth place in the Central Division Standing after spending most of the season in first. The team now has 65 points on 53 games, behind the St. Louis Blues (67 pts, 51 games), the Nashville Predators (68 pts, 53 games) and the Detroit Red Wings (72 pts, 53 games).

Understandably, the recent slide -- in which the Blackhawks have allowed no fewer than 3 goals in every game -- has a number of the players frustrated:

"We're upset," said G Ray Emery, who is slated to receive his second straight start on Tuesday night against the Colorado Avalanche. "We're a bit peeved off and rightfully so."

Defenseman Steve Montador shared Emery's frustration, but had no idea as to how to solve the Blackhawks' recent woes: "I think if there was one thing that I could say that it was, we would address it and I would say it right now. But the reality is just playing the game the way we need to play."

"We've lost games before, multiple games in a row," said defenseman Duncan Keith, "and when you try to get out of any little slump, whether its an individual or a team, you gotta work and you gotta take baby steps to get yourself out of it."

The Hawks head coach, Joel Quenneville also weighed in after conducting a heavy practice on Sunday.

"We shouldn't be happy with where we're at," said the 4th-year Chicago coach. "Over the course of the year, there's gonna be points where you face adversity. How you deal with it, how you react is going to make you a better team in the end. Y'know, it's no fun going through it, though, but let's find a way."

The Blackhawks resume their quest for the Stanley Cup on Tuesday night, taking on the Avalanche at 8:00 PM EST.

For more analysis and commentary on the Chicago Blackhawks, check out the Blackhawks blog Second City Hockey, or stay tuned to SB Nation's NHL news hub.