The Blackhawks look for another series sweep against the Red Wings that is hopefully fueled by execution of sound fundamentals and smart play up and down the ice by Chicago for a full 60.
It starts with attention to detail in the defensive end with impeccable net front coverage and inside positioning then crisp passes or swift yet protective carries to clear the zone.
On offense, be strong on the puck, keep legs moving, and get bodies and pucks to the crease. Cycling and winning battles will maintain momentum to attack in waves and generate chances.
--
Game Day
Game 18, February 17:
Blackhawks @ Red Wings
6:30pm CST
Records:
Blackhawks, 8-5-4, 20 Pts (4th)
Red Wings, 4-10-3, 11 Pts (8th)
Season Series:
3-0-0
Power Play:
Blackhawks, 17-52, 32.7% (3rd)
Red Wings, 4-53, 7.6% (30th)
Penalty Kill:
Blackhawks, 43-53, 81.1% (13th)
Red Wings, 36-49, 73.5% (27th)
There aren't likely to be any changes to the Wings lineup for tonight's game. For the Hawks, it could be a good time to have Collin Delia start in Detroit but expect Kevin Lankinen instead.
--
Maintenance Days
Calvin de Haan sitting once in a while would be good not only for him as an older player but also as a method to work in Adam Boqvist and Wyatt Kalynuk, who is now on the active roster.
Same with Connor Murphy once he is healthy to return. Murphy has nagging injuries that seem to linger so having a game off here and there could preserve him in the long run.
Also, regardless of whether or not Brent Seabrook had his current back issue, playing in a reserve role would arguably be the ideal scenario for him for similar reasoning as Murphy.
Brandon Hagel getting a day of rest could simply be nothing to worry about. However, it could be a cause for concern if his frenetic kamikaze style takes a toll on him over time.
While it's fun to watch him set the tone for competing hard, it wouldn't be good if the way he plays isn't sustainable by putting wear and tear on him rapidly and abrasively.
One could say Hagel just flats out hustles which is a positive. Yet, he plays with a reckless abandon that needs to be monitored. He was that way in Rockford and now in Chicago.
--
Strong on the Puck
One manner for the Hawks to apply the team creed of having a strong work ethic and high compete level is to be constantly and consistently strong on the puck. What does that mean exactly?
Being strong on the puck is pursuit with quickness, agility, and strength to obtain possession and take it hard to the scoring areas for passes and shots. Puck protection is key, too.
Forwards like Hagel, Alex DeBrincat, Mattias Janmark, Dominik Kubalik, Philipp Kurashev, and Pius Suter are exemplifying what it means to be strong on the puck. Productivity equals results.
No matter their size, they all have a mode in which they bulldog their way through defenses to dig for pucks and come away with it by outworking or even overpowering the opponent.
Once at full strength, Jonathan Toews and Kirby Dach are top players who are also strong on the puck. As role players, Andrew Shaw and Ryan Carpenter can exhibit this trait as well.
However, there are citizens within the forward ranks who leave a lot to be desired being weak on the puck. Dylan Strome and Alex Nylander readily come to mind. But is that a fair assessment?
Being weak on the puck may not necessarily mean lack of effort. For instance, Strome does seem to try but he is easily thwarted whether the opposition is applying speed, strength, or both.
Skating fast may never be in Strome's repertoire but strength can be built up and smart positioning can be learned. Again, his head knows what to do but the body limits his effectiveness.
As for Nylander, his story is somewhat the same as Strome's but with different characteristic levels. Nylander is a stronger skater and stronger physically but has much lower hockey IQ.
If Strome and Nylander want long-term employment in Chicago, then they need to find ways to be stronger on the puck. Staying weak could severely restrict their ability to reach potential.
Beyond the present roster, there are prospects who are strong on the puck. Ones to watch are Andrei Altybarmakian, Evan Barratt, Lukas Reichel, Antti Saarela, Landon Slaggert, Josiah Slavin, and Tim Soderlund.
It should be noted that defensemen can also be strong on the puck but the analysis above was intentionally focused on the forwards.
--
Rockford Updates
The IceHogs scored a pair of goals in 19 seconds midway through the 3rd period but couldn't stage a full comeback falling to the Chicago Wolves by a score of 3-2. Rockford is now 0-3-1-0.
Starting Lineup
Game Recap
1st Goal: Wilkie (1-3)
Cole Moberg won a battle deep in the Hogs end chipping it to Brad Morrison who rushed the puck up ice. Morrison sent a pass to the slot that Chris Wilkie was able to jam home.
2nd Goal: Phillips (2-3)
Moments later, Wilkie retrieved an errant puck at center ice and fed Isaak Phillips who drove hard up the middle, got off an initial shot, and followed up his own rebound.
Goals Against
On the first goal, Phillips was out of position making a hit in the offensive zone rather than playing back as the pressure was heading his way. Moberg was alone to defend the 2-on-1.
The Wolves scored next on the power play by overloading the left side which created a vacancy on the opposite side for an uncontested shot by Ryan Suzuki into a wide-open cage.
Phillips was out of position again for the third goal as he stayed too long and deep in the offensive zone. At least more forwards came back to help Moberg on the 2-on-1.
Player Notes
So far Chad Krys has turned in steady play on defense knowing where to be and what to do despite still getting over powered at times. His passing is improving each game, though.
As evidenced by the goals against that he was responsible for, Phillips pinched more in the second game of his pro career. When he was around the net, he did protect it fairly well.
Moberg was reliable in his end for the second straight game and also played the point on the power play with Krys.
Similar to Phillips, Alec Regula needs to reduce his pinches as he sometimes ventures too far south. He also gets caught flat footed once in a while even when he is in position.
Michael Krutil has great size at 6'3" and 200+ pounds and his physicality is a plus. However, he often fails to leverage his big body to establish inside positioning.
Cam Morrison is the only player on the Rockford roster yet to play in a game as he is still banged up from a training camp ailment.
Garrett Mitchell was suspended one game for an illegal hit to the head to an Iowa Wild player on Saturday.
--
See you on the boards!
Chicago Blackhawks Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»