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Wanted: Competent Power Play People

February 10, 2020, 9:47 AM ET [625 Comments]
Tyler Cameron
Chicago Blackhawks Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT


Hi, can you help me out? I'm the Chicago Blackhawks and I'm looking for competent power play skaters.

The Hawks have played better since December working themselves into a playoff spot thanks to more consistent defensive play, a stellar penalty kill, and chemistry that took some time to build.

Note, I did not mention a power play. This is because it's been terrible all season.

People will point to last year's 20.2% PP effectiveness, which was good for 15th in the league as a benchmark but realistically outside of a couple of months, the Hawks PP was terrible last year as well.

They got scorching hot in January and February last season but haven't been able to come close to that heat in 2019-20.

Currently, the Hawks are clipping at 15% on the PP, which puts them 28th in the NHL.

That 5% might not seem like a big difference, however, think about those close games where the Hawks could have used that go-ahead goal or extra boost from their power play.

The difference is about 9 goals or about 0.2 goals per game.

But wait… there's more. Not only is the PP bad and a complete momentum killer on most nights, but the Hawks have given up 8 shorthanded goals already this year which is the 4th most in the league.

All of these stats check out when we look back on last night's game:

Chicago PP – 0/3 with 1 SHG
Winnipeg PP - 1/6

This is the storyline of Sunday's game.

After a great first period, I thought I was going to have a "Hawks learning to play playoff-style hockey" narrative to today's blog.

They were applying pressure to the Jets in every zone. They were up to a 2-0 lead and then the Jets worked their way back in with a PPG and SHG.

A disappointing start to the Hawks 5-game road trip – especially against the Jets – a team CHI will inevitably be in the hunt for a playoff spot with for the rest of the season.

Well… maybe. If the Hawks don't get this power play figured out, they will be in a different kind of hunt – one for a lottery pick.

I'm don't have an answer on how to fix the man advantage, but the Hawks only have 3 power play goals in their last 10 games and that's not going to cut it as they fight for their playoff lives.

They have the same 5 players (Toews, Kane, Strome, DeBrincat, and Gustafsson) that helped get them rolling last year – maybe they can get going once again.

Next up, the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday and Vancouver Canucks on Wednesday.

See ya out there!

TC
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