Weekly Chicago Blackhawks Review: Wrapping up Week 2

Following a win against the San Jose Sharks, the Chicago Blackhawks had six days off and only played one game in week 2 against the Detroit Red Wings. Week 2 ranges from Sunday, October 16 through Saturday, October 22.

Positives

1.) The penalty kill is the first positive mark for the Blackhawks in week 2. The PK was 4/5 (80%) against the Red Wings. The Blackhawks scored another short-handed goal in the lone game in week 2.  The penalty kill is showing major improvements from last season.

Connor Murphy scored the short-handed goal against the Red Wings, giving him his second career short-handed goal and his first short-handed goal since the 2016-2017 season when he played for Arizona.

Wrapping up week 2 for the Chicago Blackhawks.

2.) The Blackhawks had a team face-off win percentage of 61.8%. The Hawks have also been showing great improvement in the face-off circle this year so far, especially with the addition of Max Domi.

Max Domi won 14/18 face-offs, giving him a 78% in face-off win percentage.

3.) Two different two-goal deficits were overcome in the win against Detroit. The Hawks found themselves down 2-0 (again) and 3-1. They came back to tie the game and eventually win in overtime on a goal from Max Domi.

This was the second straight game that the Blackhawks found themselves down 2-0 in the first period and ended up winning the game.

Negatives

1.) The Blackhawks’ power play is continuing to struggle this year. The Hawks went 0/3 on the power play against the Red Wings.

However, the Red Wings have one of the best penalty kills in the NHL, boasting a perfect PK at this point in the season.

2.) Petr Mrazek left the game after the second period with a groin strain. This is a bad look for the team, considering that Mrazek was supposed to be the Hawks starting goalie for the season. Alex Stalock came into the game, and Arvid Soderblom was called up after the game.

3.) Another lopsided statistic from this game is giveaways.  The Blackhawks had 22, and the Red Wings only had 3.  It is going to be hard to win games if the team gives the puck away that many times each game.

Record

Weekly: 1-0-0

Season: 2-2-0

My 3 Stars of the Week

*** Connor Murphy – 1 GP, 1 G (short-handed)

** Sam Lafferty – 1 GP, 2 A

* Max Domi – 1 GP, 1 G (OT game-winning goal)