5 Takeaways from Chicago Blackhawks' Early-Season Play

5 Takeaways from Chicago Blackhawks' Early-Season Play

By Sean Sarcu

November 12, 2014

Blackhawks' Early-Season Play: 5 Takeaways

Chicago Blackhawks — It's been an up-and-down year for the Chicago Blackhawks so far. The team's defense and goaltending have been brilliant, but finishing on offense has been a major problem. Here are five takeaways from Chicago's play to this point in the 2014-15 season.

It's been an up-and-down year for the Chicago Blackhawks so far. The team's defense and goaltending have been brilliant, but finishing on offense has been a major problem. Here are five takeaways from Chicago's play to this point in the 2014-15 season.

5. Corey Crawford's Excellence in Net

Corey Crawford

5. Corey Crawford's Excellence in Net

Corey Crawford — Corey Crawford has been great between the pipes so far, currently boasting an impressive .931 save percentage and 1.76 goals against average. Continuing this level of play should put him in serious contention for the Vezina Trophy at season's end.

Corey Crawford has been great between the pipes so far, currently boasting an impressive .931 save percentage and 1.76 goals against average. Continuing this level of play should put him in serious contention for the Vezina Trophy at season's end.

4. Brad Richards Signing Looks Smart

Brad Richards

Advertisement

4. Brad Richards Signing Looks Smart

Brad Richards — After a slow start, Brad Richards has been one of Chicago's best forwards for several weeks now. His playmaking ability and knack for always being around the puck in the offensive zone have both been noticeable.

After a slow start, Brad Richards has been one of Chicago's best forwards for several weeks now. His playmaking ability and knack for always being around the puck in the offensive zone have both been noticeable.

3. Joel Quenneville Is Tinkering with the Lines Far Too Much

Joel Quenneville

3. Joel Quenneville Is Tinkering with the Lines Far Too Much

Joel Quenneville — The Blackhawks rarely spend consecutive games with the same four lines of forwards. The team's current groupings have Marian Hossa toiling alongside two fourth liners in Ben Smith and Marcus Kruger. It never makes sense to willingly give a high-end player subpar linemates, and it's even less explicable when the team is already having trouble scoring. What is the explanation for wasting Hossa's talent by throwing him onto a checking line?

The Blackhawks rarely spend consecutive games with the same four lines of forwards. The team's current groupings have Marian Hossa toiling alongside two fourth liners in Ben Smith and Marcus Kruger. It never makes sense to willingly give a high-end player subpar linemates, and it's even less explicable when the team is already having trouble scoring. What is the explanation for wasting Hossa's talent by throwing him onto a checking line?

2. Kris Versteeg Is Back in Form

Kris Versteeg

2. Kris Versteeg Is Back in Form

Kris Versteeg — After an ACL tear suffered in March of 2013 dragged Kris Versteeg's game into the dumps in 2013-14, he has looked much more like his old, productive self so far in 2014-15. His trademark bravado and offensive confidence are undeniably back.

After an ACL tear suffered in March of 2013 dragged Kris Versteeg's game into the dumps in 2013-14, he has looked much more like his old, productive self so far in 2014-15. His trademark bravado and offensive confidence are undeniably back.

1. Blackhawks' Defense Has Returned to Dominance

Chicago Blackhawks Defense

1. Blackhawks' Defense Has Returned to Dominance

Chicago Blackhawks Defense — Chicago is giving up just 1.88 goals per game and has looked far more like the defensively-elite 2012-13 squad than the questionable defensive team from last season.

Chicago is giving up just 1.88 goals per game and has looked far more like the defensively-elite 2012-13 squad than the questionable defensive team from last season.

Sean Sarcu is a Chicago Blackhawks writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter or add him to your network on Google.

Teams in this article »

Chicago Blackhawks

Share On Facebook

Share