Hawks search for offense wherever they can find it
When the Blackhawks were scoring in bunches at the start of the season, there were warning signs their offensive surge wasn’t sustainable.
Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews and Alex DeBrincat scored the majority of their goals, as would be expected, but their depth players provided little or no production. Now, with Kane, Toews and DeBrincat far off their earlier pace, the Hawks’ lack of scoring from their bottomsix forwards is catching up with them.
The Hawks have only four goals in their last four games, their lowest-scoring four-game stretch since Jan. 22-Feb. 2, 2016. It’s in stark contrast to when they scored 15 goals in their first three games.
Kane, Toews, DeBrincat and Brandon Saad have 35 of the team’s 53 goals. Over the last four games, Toews, DeBrincat, Saad had the Hawks’ only even-strength goals while defenseman Brent Seabrook scored on the power play.
Coach Jeremy Colliton has spent a lot of practice time trying to develop better net-front presence that could result in deflections and rebounds.
“That would be some easy offense for us if we’re willing to commit to it,” Colliton said. “We’ve got to get more pucks to the net from atop. We’re doing a pretty good job down low to win pucks back and make it hard on their ‘D,’ but I’d like to get more out of it.”
Colliton isn’t standing pat waiting for offense to appear magically. He put Kane and Toews on a line with Nick Schmaltz a couple of games ago, and when that wasn’t working Friday night in a 2-1 shootout loss to the Kings, he swapped in Saad for Schmaltz.
The new line immediately produced a goal that tied the game and ultimately provided the Hawks with a point. Colliton had Kane, Toews and Saad skating on a line during practice Saturday.
“Saader will be a good added element to that line,” Kane said. “Someone who has a lot of speed, who goes to the net., good along the walls, things like that. Should help us out. Should have more puck possession, which will be good for our line.”
Waiting game: Hawks prospect Dylan Sikura is leading the Rockford IceHogs with 13 points in 17 games and has been scoring consistently. He has the skill to play in the NHL but also has to be ready for the physical play.
"This is men, and they’re heavy on the pucks and it’s tough to win those 50-50 battles," Colliton said. “If (Sikura) can get to the point where he’s doing that more consistently, then he’ll be able to show his skill and make those plays and he can make a difference. But it’s tough. It’s going to be a progression for him."
A step back: Rookie defenseman Henri Jokiharju played only 17 minutes, 4 seconds against the Kings — his lowest ice time of the season — and just 4:22 during the third period. It’s easy to forget Jokiharju is only 19 and may have a rough game occasionally.
“He’s a young player and it’s not going to be straight up for him,” Colliton said. “We want him to be clean with the puck, be under control, make the plays that are there.”