Let’s talk about the Blackhawks special teams for a moment, shall we? Since the start of this season under then-head coach Luke Richardson, the Blackhawks have been much better on both the power play and penalty kill. Richardson, and now Anders Sorensen, have searched for the right mix on the top and second units for both special teams and been able to get solid contributions from all over the roster.
There was a lot of chirping earlier this year when the Blackhawks rolled out a power play that included Pat Maroon and Craig Smith, but the team was able to find success by putting players in the right positions with the right systems. And they are still trying to figure out what to do on the power play with guys like Lukas Reichel, especially now that Frank Nazar is in the NHL.
Obviously what these units look like in the future is going to evolve dramatically as more young players come up. But what we’re watching right now has been really, really good. And… it’s getting better.
Blackhawks PK
This season, the Blackhawks’ power play is tied for 10th in the NHL at 23.8 percent. Last year, the Blackhawks’ power play finished the season ranked 28th in the NHL at only 16.6 percent.
Five Blackhawks skaters were on the ice for at least 110 minutes of penalty killing duty last year: Alex Vlasic (176:50), Jason Dickinson (168:14), Seth Jones (146:32), Taylor Raddysh (112:45) and Connor Murphy (110:26).
Thru 31 games this season, the Blackhawks are on pace to have seven skaters on the ice for more than 100 minutes of penalty killing duty: Vlasic, Dickinson, Nick Foligno, Murphy, Ilya Mikheyev, Wyatt Kaiser and Jones. Both Dickinson and Foligno are averaging more than one full power play against per 60 less than last year. Obviously the Blackhawks’ depth and systems have been better this year.
The Blackhawks relied heavily on Dickinson on penalty killing duty last year. He took 245 short-handed faceoffs last year (he won 41.6 percent of his PK draws). The second-most short-handed faceoffs on the Blackhawks last year: 30 by Reese Johnson.
In 31 games this season, the Blackhawks are still relying heavily on Dickinson in the circle while killing penalties. He’s already taken 113 short-handed faceoffs. But Foligno is second on the list at 23 already, which is obviously an increase from the pace of last year. Dickinson is winning only 38.1 percent of his short-handed faceoffs and Foligno is slightly better at 39.1 percent.
Blackhawks PP
This season, the Blackhawks’ penalty kill ranks fourth in the NHL at 84.4 percent. Last year, the Blackhawks’ penalty kill finished the season ranked 27th in the NHL at just 75.8 percent.
There were four skaters on the Blackhawks who had double-digit points on the power play last year: Connor Bedard (21), Philipp Kurashev (19), Foligno (16) and Tyler Johnson (16). In 31 games this season, the Blackhawks already have two players in double-digits: Bedard (11) and Teuvo Teravainen (10). And Vlasic is already at 9 — which is as many as any defenseman on the Blackhawks’ roster had all of last year (Jones had 9 in 67 games).
And…
Since Jones left the lineup on Nov. 14, the Blackhawks have been even more outstanding on both special teams. That hasn’t been the case when he missed time in previous seasons.
In 14 games without Jones, the Blackhawks rank seventh in the NHL on the power play (29.0 percent). They rank first (yes, I said first) overall in the NHL on the penalty kill at 92.3 percent — almost three full percentage points better than second (Edmonton — 89.3).
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Let’s Talk About the Blackhawks Special Teams Success )
Also on site :
- Greeley Fire, Red Cross sound the alarm about fire safety
- Brett Baty exits with groin tightness in new Mets injury concern
- Kurt Angle Reveals Surprising Backstage Reaction to WWE Return