The Chicago Blackhawks improved to 8-12-2 (18 factors) with a feel-good 6-2 win final night time, the eve of Thanksgiving. It was their highest scoring sport of the season to this point. As we rejoice Thanksgiving day at present, we will be pleased about a Taylor Corridor hat trick, Connor Bedard snapping a 12-game-goal drought and defenseman Louis Crevier scoring his first NHL purpose! The win additionally moved the Blackhawks out of final place within the standings; they presently sit in thirty first place (the Nashville Predators are in final place whereas additionally having performed yet one more sport).
Thanksgiving is normally the time the place the groups presently in playoff spots are prone to make the postseason in April. Whereas everyone knows the playoffs are out of the image for the Blackhawks, maybe this win generally is a stepping stone in the direction of some extra wins. Like Corridor stated when he was named the primary star of the sport final night time, he thinks the group was due. They’ve been headed in the appropriate course in some ways; they only didn’t have a lot to point out for it. With that in thoughts, let’s check out 5 issues for the Blackhawks and their followers to be pleased about this Thanksgiving.
5. A Strong Penalty Kill
The Blackhawks presently rank proper in the course of the pack, at 14th within the league on the penalty kill. They’ve solely allowed 14 objectives whereas being shorthanded 65 occasions, for a 78.5% success charge.
Defenseman Alex Vlasic leads the Blackhawks in shorthanded ice time with 61:42 minutes. He’s adopted by Nick Foligno (56:quarter-hour), Jason Dickinson (54:52), Seth Jones (49:28), Connor Murphy (44:03), Ilya Mikheyev (40:12) and Wyatt Kaiser (35:07). Different members of the penalty kill embrace: Philipp Kurashev, Teuvo Teravainen, Joey Anderson, Alec Martinez and T.J. Brodie.
Whereas we’re with reference to the penalty kill, the Blackhawks rank nineteenth within the league with these 65 occasions on the PK. For reference, the Boston Bruins have been shorthanded 89 occasions, which means they’re committing quite a lot of penalties. The New York Islanders, alternatively, have needed to kill simply 47 penalties. It’s good to know the Blackhawks are nearer to the underside of the league in committing penalties (73 penalties taken, which is ranked 25nd within the league).
4. A A lot-Improved Energy Play
I knew the Blackhawks have been doing higher on the ability play than final season, however I didn’t understand how effectively till I appeared it up. They’re truly eleventh within the league on this division. The Hawks have transformed on the ability play 12 occasions on 55 possibilities, for a 21.8% success charge.
Teravainen has positively helped on this division; he leads the group with 4 energy play objectives. Tyler Bertuzzi has been a wonderful web entrance presence, notching three objectives. Jones has contributed two tallies, whereas Foligno, Kurashev and Bedard all have one purpose apiece.
Bedard has contributed six assists on the PP, three of them of the first selection. Vlasic is subsequent with 4 assists (two main), whereas Teravainen and Jones have three assists. This all provides Teravainen and Bedard the lead in factors, with seven. Jones and Bertuzzi each have 5 energy play factors.
The items have modified slightly bit all through the season, however the energy play items presently encompass:
PP1: Bertuzzi, Bedard-Ryan Donato-Teräväinen-Vlasic
PP2: Patrick Maroon, Corridor-Craig Smith-Lukas Reichel-Martinez
The highest unit depends totally on fast puck motion to search out open lanes, and so they’re specializing in cleaner and extra artistic zone entries. The second unit doesn’t see a complete lot of time on the ice, so their emphasis is extra on being aggressive and going laborious to the online.
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Foligno is one other common member of the ability play, normally on the highest PP unit in bumper place, which Donato presently holds. Jones was the quarterback of the highest unit earlier than he sustained a proper foot damage, however Vlasic definitely hasn’t appeared misplaced in that spot whereas he’s been out. Martinez missed 12 video games as a result of a groin damage, and Vlasic manned the purpose on the second unit whereas he was out. It is going to be fascinating to see who takes that spot when Jones returns. My guess could be Vlasic, who’s youthful and a long-term piece on the group. He additionally has probably the most to realize by getting that helpful expertise.
Whereas the added offseason personnel don’t actually appear to be making a lot of an affect for 5-on-5 play, it’s definitely improved the Blackhawks’ energy play. And the under might positively could possibly be one thing to look at transferring ahead.
Blackhawks have had only one energy play alternative in 5 straight video games.
That is a franchise report and the longest such streak by any group since 2019.
— Ben Pope (@BenPopeCST) November 23, 2024
Hopefully the hockey gods will even issues in terms of the person benefit (that they had two alternatives Wednesday night time), and the Blackhawks will obtain extra energy play alternatives within the coming weeks. Then they will work to additional capitalize on their energy play prowess.
3. Nice Goaltending
You definitely can’t complain in regards to the Blackhawks’ goaltending this season. Petr Mrazek has picked up proper the place he left off from the 2023-24 marketing campaign, being stable in web in addition to a veteran chief for the group.
With Laurent Brossoit nonetheless out as a result of offseason meniscus surgical procedure to his proper knee, Mrazek has been tasked with a heavy workload. He’s began in 16 out of the Blackhawks’ 22 video games, posting a .912 save proportion and a 2.63 objectives towards common. He’s additionally been in web for seven of the Blackhawks eight wins.
To not be diminished must be the contributions of backup netminder Arvid Soderblom, who’s been taking part in extraordinarily effectively after a disappointing 2023-24 marketing campaign. The 25-year-old has gotten the nod for six contests thus far this season, posting a powerful .926 SV% and a 2.36 GGA.
In accordance with Mario Tirabassi of CHGO Blackhawks, “amongst NHL goalies to play no less than 250 5v5 minutes this season, Söderblom ranks ninth in save proportion (.926), eighth in objectives saved above common per 60 minutes (0.670), and tied for tenth in high-danger save proportion (.868)” (from ‘Blackhawks ought to discover buying and selling Arvid Soderblom’, CHGO Blackhawks – 11/27/24).
Tirabassi even goes as far as to counsel buying and selling Soderblom whereas his inventory is excessive. However after all that will solely be if Laurent is wholesome sufficient to return quickly. To complicate issues, Soderblom can solely play in 4 extra video games earlier than needing to clear waivers, through which he very seemingly would get claimed by one other group.
We’ll need to see how this all performs out. Regardless, Mrazek and Soderblom have performed a wonderful job of manning the crease for the Blackhawks, which is a luxurious this struggling group is grateful for.
2. Blackhawks’ Promising Prospect Pool
Let’s face it; basic supervisor Kyle Davidson and the Blackhawks have performed extraordinarily effectively stockpiling prospects as they navigate the rebuilding course of.
For the Blackhawks, defenseman Nolan Allan made the massive membership out of coaching camp and is already trying like an on a regular basis participant. He’s suited up on the third defensive pairing for 17 of the Blackhawks 22 video games and hasn’t checked out all misplaced.
With the Rockford IceHogs, 13th total 2022 draft decide Frank Nazar is lighting it up with eight objectives and 16 factors in 14 video games. Pundits are saying it’s only a matter of time earlier than he will get referred to as as much as the Blackhawks. Different prospects which can be all growing and doing effectively in Rockford embrace forwards Colton Dach, Landon Slaggert, Paul Ludwinski, Gavin Hayes, Samuel Savoie and Marcel Marcel. Don’t neglect in regards to the defensive prospects in Kevin Korchinski, Ethan Del Mastro and 2024 second total draft decide Artyom Levshunov.
Lastly, let’s not neglect in regards to the Blackhawks’ prospects which can be presently taking part in in faculty or their junior golf equipment. How about this for a promising Saturday night time?!
Saturday night time for #Blackhawks prospects:
NCAA
Moore 🚨
Rinzel 🍎🍎
Boisvert 🚨
Mustard 🚨
Thompson 🚨OHL
Pridham 🚨🚨 🍎
Lardis 🚨
Pharand 🍎— Bleacher Nation Blackhawks (@BN_Blackhawks) November 24, 2024
Not everybody will pan out, and even finally don the Blackhawks’ uniform, however the extra prospects doing effectively the higher the outlook for the group as a complete.
1. Connor Bedard
I do know, I do know. Though he tallied his fourth purpose of the season towards the Stars final night time (Nov. 27), Bedard would inform you his 16 factors thus far on this 2024-25 season isn’t adequate. He’s been in a little bit of a sophomore hunch, for certain. However he was nonetheless the primary total decide by the Blackhawks within the 2023 Entry Draft. He additionally received the Calder Trophy final season for greatest rookie. Bedard positively attracts all eyes to him.
The 19-year-old is a talent participant with a dynamic shot and an elusive launch that’s laborious for goalies to learn. He has a hockey IQ that’s off the charts, considering the sport in a different way than most. Due to all this, there’s pleasure and anticipation each time he has the puck on his stick.
Everyone seems to be trying ahead to Bedard breaking by, and hopefully this final purpose was the beginning of that. He’s thought-about a generational expertise, and the Blackhawks are fortunate to have this sort of younger participant of their group. Whereas issues would possibly look slightly stifled proper now for the teenager, followers must be grateful they get to look at Bedard night time in and night time out, taking part in on their group as an alternative of one other.
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I’ve stated it earlier than and I’ll say it once more. The long run seems shiny for Chicago. If we will all have slightly persistence, good issues ought to come for the Blackhawks.
What are you grateful for about your favourite group this Thanksgiving?
