NHL preseason action kicked off at the United Center as the Chicago Blackhawks faced the Detroit Red Wings in their first game. The teams met again on the road in Detroit for Friday’s game on Sept. 27.
In Wednesday’s game, fans were frustrated over the television blackout as the Blackhawks suffered a late defeat after leading for most of the second and third periods. The veteran-heavy roster in game one featured prospects gradually earning their spots in the lineup. AJ Spellacy’s hit to the head ignited the first brawl of the night, followed by a retaliatory jab to Albert Johansson. Despite a decent night for Petr Mrázek, questions linger about which veterans will enhance their offence and support the defence. The NHL preseason competition is here, intensifying the battle for lineup spots and the search for the ideal attacking line on the ice.
NHL Preseason: Game 1
The Blackhawks had a rocky start in their first game, which is somewhat expected. According to The Hockey News, the lineup showcased Connor Bedard on an almost entirely new line, with Seth Jones remaining among the top two defencemen.
Analyzing Chicago’s Offence: Shift in and Shift Out
In the NHL preseason, head coach Luke Richardson prioritizes speed in the attack with this group, aiming to break free from old habits and be consistent in all areas of gameplay. Former Blackhawk Tyler Motte has gained speed behind players like Seth Jones, creating disruptions that challenge consistency. While the offence struggled to build momentum in the second half of the first period, the team started to create better scoring opportunities before intermission. This shift marked a turning point in the second period, highlighted by Ryan Donato‘s backhand dish to Craig Smith, which exemplified effective scoring chances.
So, what are the positives of the offence? Connor Bedard and Teuvo Teräväinen are generating creative dynamic chances in the offensive zone. They excel during both 5-on-5 play. With their impressive chemistry and energy on the ice, Chicago has reasons to be excited. Opposing teams should be worried if Bedard and Teräväinen enhance their coordinated zone play.
AJ Spellacy, noted earlier for his elbow to the face, demonstrates incredible potential as a future player in this organization. During Wednesday’s game, Spellacy brought energy and speed to the ice, quickly becoming a fan favourite. His height may give him an advantage, but his stick handling and teamwork that truly set him apart. Spellacy’s first taste of the NHL may have left a sour impression after a revenge hit. However, he embodies the physical style of play that Richardson has instilled in the team. Fans can look forward to watching Spellacy throughout the NHL preseason. Ultimately, they should enjoy his time with the team while it lasts, as he is expected to return to juniors.
Special Teams
Chicago Hockey Now summarized the Blackhawks’ special teams as struggling with a lack of timing during the NHL preseason. Enhancing this area is essential for maintaining puck possession and capitalizing on scoring. The team finished 0 for 4 on the power play but succeeded 2 for 3 on the penalty kill.
Power Play Struggles
A key takeaway from their preseason hockey is the team’s strong start with the power plays and overall gameplay. Once again, the dynamic duo of Connor Bedard and Teuvo Teräväinen produced multiple scoring chances. Nevertheless, they struggle to maintain possession in the offence zone, a concern Teräväinen acknowledged after the game. He felt he was moving too slowly and overthinking on the ice. Since power play effectiveness seems to have been a minor emphasis during training camp, it’s no surprise power plays fizzled out in the later periods.
Goalie Struggles
Petr Mrázek faces pressure as the primary goalie for the team, but the organization’s confidence in him should ease his worries. In Wednesday’s game, he played the first two periods and faced 23 shots on goal. Mrázek made 21 saves, finishing the night with a .913 save percentage.
Preseason Game 2
The Blackhawks played their second preseason game at Detroit on Friday night in a rematch that ended in another defeat. Aside from the live stream playing music for much of the first period, the offence was stronger compared to Wednesday’s game. However, they still battle to develop quality shots.
Testing Out Line Combinations
So far, the second line featuring Colton Dach, Cole Guttman, and Gavin Hayes, has impressed with solid cohesion throughout the game. This trio led in scoring chances, producing an 8 to 5 advantage. Following closely behind in Friday’s game was the fourth line comprised of Zach Sanford, Paul Ludwinski, and Joey Anderson. This line had a shaky start, especially since Anderson is a great defensive forward. Some line combinations seemed like simple tests for the coaching staff during the NHL preseason. If Anderson is included in a future line combination, pairing him with Jason Dickinson or Nick Foligno could boost the team’s performance.
Goaltending Performance
Arvid Söderblom took the net for the entire game, facing several shots. He stepped up to the challenge, making a key save late in the first period to maintain a score of 0-0. However, with a lack of supportive offence, it’s tough to keep the score even. In light of this, Söderblom delivered 29 saves on 31 shots, resulting in a strong performance with a save percentage of .936.
Who is Standing Out
Among the standout players during the NHL preseason, Colton Dach is making quite the impact with his contributions on the ice. He possesses the tools needed to succeed and has versatility within Chicago’s system. While he may not be ready for a full-time NHL position, it will be exciting to see him play more now that he is healthy.
Main Photo: Jamie Sabau-Imagn Images
