Wanna blog? Start your own hockey blog with My HockeyBuzz. Register for free today!
 

Game 2 @ Lightning

January 15, 2021, 4:16 AM ET [262 Comments]
Theo Fox
Chicago Blackhawks Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
It's time for the Blackhawks to get back on the horse and try again to start this season right by living up to the team's professed identity based on working and competing hard.

While realism exists in not expecting a winning season as far as the standings, there is still an expectation to play the right way: execute fundamentals to make simple, smart plays.

The Hawks don't need to become a dominant team by tonight's second game of the year but strides in this new direction need to be made so fans can detect a pulse as a precursor to a stronger heartbeat.

--

Game Day

Game 2, January 15:
Blackhawks @ Lightning
6:00pm CST

Records:
Blackhawks, 0-1-0, 0 Pts
Lightning, 1-0-0, 2 Pts

Season Series:
0-1-0

Power Play:
Blackhawks, 1-3, 33.3%
Lightning, 2-4, 50.0%

Penalty Kill:
Blackhawks, 2-4, 50.0%
Lightning, 2-3, 66.7%

--

How to Improve

As a preface, it seems that the following keys for improvement are going to sound like a tired record. It may take a large proportion of the season to see considerable movement of the needle.

The quickest way to sum up what the Hawks need to do to improve overall gameplay is to put on display the team's espoused identity predicated on work ethic and competitiveness.

To further describe that identity, the Hawks need to deliver on the 3 C's:

* Compete hard every shift.
* Contest every puck.
* Commit to defense in every zone.

Drilling down to more granular details of what the team struggled with in the season opener, the Hawks need to gain inside positioning, clear pucks emphatically, and stop over-activating.

Gain Inside Positioning

Gaining inside positioning generally entails staying between your man and the net no matter where you are in the neutral and defensive zones. This is particularly crucial in the slot.

Mirroring the puck handler is a critical piece to establishing inside positioning and was a primary drill during training camp. Wouldn't it be nice if the Hawks preached what it practiced?

Examples from training camp:


Clear Pucks Emphatically

Clearing pucks emphatically is pivotal in whether a team can kill the opponent's offensive momentum or else get hemmed in the defensive zone for extended periods of time.

For being the Chicago player who consistently rates at the top of the charts on fitness tests, Connor Murphy makes the weakest clearing attempts of the blueliners.

Even when Murphy has time to make a clean break out of the zone with one crisp pass, he often makes a less than optimal clear that lacks mustard and goes a very short distance.

Stop Over-Activating

Stopping rearguards from over-activating will ensure the Hawks have numbers back on defense if the other team suddenly flips the ice at either blueline or in the neutral zone.

If the Hawks over-activate when they gain possession which often results in four players rushing up ice together, they leave one mate alone to defend odd-man rushes the other way.

The solution isn't necessarily three up and two back. At least stagger the spacing with one back and the next player being close enough to support defensively yet ready to pinch wisely.

--

LTIR/IR Updates

Jonathan Toews and Kirby Dach officially join Alex Nylander on LTIR. Dach and Nylander are expected to miss the entire season while Toews still has no timetable for his return.

Brent Seabrook and Zack Smith are on IR due to back injuries. Smith is likely to go through waivers again once healthy whereas Seabrook would be the 7th or 8th man on the blueline.

--

See you on the boards!

Join the Discussion: Β» 262 Comments Β» Post New Comment
More from Theo Fox