Zawaski's Shorties: Blackhawks Find Good Form Against Coyotes
By Jay Zawaski-
(CBS) With the end of the regular season approaching, the Blackhawks have found themselves the authors of some underwhelming performances. The team that's supposedly able to "turn it on" at any time has been aimlessly swatting at the wall, trying to find the light switch.
Thursday's road contest against the Arizona Coyotes was another opportunity to get on track, and the Blackhawks did. Despite the less-than-convincing 2-1 final score, Chicago held a huge edge in play. The Blackhawks outshot the Coyotes, 44-18. They had 79 shot attempts to the hosts' 36. The only problem was their inability to put the puck in the back of the net, as it has been for much of the calendar year.
Since the calendar flipped to 2015, Chicago has played 30 games. In 18 of those games, it has scored two goals or fewer (including shootout wins, in which the third goal is assigned to the winner). The Blackhawks rank second in the NHL this season with 2,298 shots on goal. Their shooting percentage (8.0 percent) ranks 26th.
This is an indication of terrible puck luck. The analytical mind would tell you that eventually, the team will return to the mean and pucks will start going in to the net. The cynic will tell you the Blackhawks are mired in a team-wide scoring slump. Both are true.
Now on to the shorties…
Some power from the power play: In the grand scheme, going 2-for-7 on the power play isn't all that special, but for the Blackhawks -- who have struggled with the extra man for most of the season -- it's a big deal. Personally, I like to avoid hockey clichés, but the old adage of "put the puck on the net and a man in front, and good things will happen" exists for a reason. Both of Chicago's power-play goals came as a result of that simple formula. As soon as the Blackhawks' power play stops trying to Harlem Globetrot their way through the neutral zone, the results will come.
Anthem etiquette: Nothing warms my heart more than seeing a ton of Blackhawks fans filling the opponents' arena. However, it's always rubbed me the wrong way when Hawks fans cheer loudly during the national anthem while in a road city. That's a Chicago tradition. Fans should respect the traditions of each building they visit. Yes, you can be loud during the game, but realize that when you travel you are a representative of your city and your team. Respect those traditions that deserve respect.
Vermette-al head: I've really enjoyed what Antoine Vermette has brought to the Blackhawks. His line, flanked by Brandon Saad and the ever-improving Teuvo Teravainen, has been the best line on the team -- and by a mile. When that trio's on the ice, you can count on extended offensive zone time, possession and scoring chances.
I know the Blackhawks' cap situation is dire this summer, but if general manager Stan Bowman can find some way to bring Vermette back for the next few seasons, it would be hugely beneficial. He's a player who's useful in every situation on every inch of the ice surface. He's no superstar, but his versatility makes him tough to replace.
Teuvo turned up: Teravainen's growth is evident every time he's on the ice. He seems to have a different level of personal confidence. The timid, afraid-to-make-a-mistake Teravainen was left behind in Rockford. The Chicago version has become one of the team's best playmakers. Now, he's been rewarded with power-play time. It's just a matter of time until the points start to pile up.
The unbreakable Kimmo Timonen: OK, that particular pun is a bit of a stretch, but the dude could have died this summer, so it works. Timonen has admitted that his return to form has been slower going than he'd expected, and it's beginning to frustrate the veteran defenseman. Against Arizona, Timonen only played 9:21. He's played pretty well in his limited time here, but the return of Johnny Oduya should help ease him back in to game shape. All that matters at this point is the playoffs. The Hawks have plenty of time to get the old guy going in time for the first round.
Speaking of playoffs: Don't let yourselves get obsessed with where the Blackhawks are in the standings. Barring a major collapse, Chicago will make the playoffs. As of Friday morning, the Blackhawks were five points behind the division-leading Blues and the Nashville Predators. They are also five points ahead of the Minnesota Wild, who have won eight of their last 10 games. The "worst-case scenario" of finishing as the top wild-card team might actually be the best-case scenario for the Blackhawks. If that's where they finish, they'll face the Anaheim Ducks in the first round. That might well be the best matchup for Chicago.
At this point, I'd rather face Anaheim than the red-hot St. Louis Blues or Pekka Rinne and his Nashville Predators. The easier path to the Stanley Cup is more important than a Central Division champions banner. Just ask the Blues.
Jay Zawaski is the executive producer of the Spiegel and Goff Show on 670 The Score and the Blackhawks columnist for CBSChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter at @JayZawaski670.
