Penatly Killing, Killing The Blackhawks
It hard to put your finger on what exactly has caused the Blackhawks season to turn out like it has.
While there was a short offseason, a front loaded schedule and a new roster; at this point in the season those shouldn't be issues anymore.
However, there are a few glaring elements of the Blackhawks' game that haven't started to click so far this season. Their puck possession is one, and the other most likely cost them a game against the Dallas Stars. And that's their penalty killing.
"It's not good enough," Blackhawks defenseman Brent Seabrook said after Wednesday night's loss to the Stars. "Last year we prided ourselves on being on of the top penalty killing teams. And, you know, I think the top penalty killing teams, you see how their penalty kills win a lot of games for them and we have to get better at that."
The Stars scored three power play goals and won the game 4-2, with an empty net goal at the end. At even strength, the Blackhawks out scored the Stars and for the game only allowed 21 shots.
On a night when the Blackhawks only allow 21 shots on goal and take 37 shots, there shouldn't be any doubt in the outcome. Unless, of course, you have a penalty kill that instead of winning games for you, is losing games for you.
