Chicago Blackhawks floundering under weak penalty kill
Any time a team is just three games into the NHL season it's dangerous to read too much into any individual or team numbers like:
• Richard Panik's shooting percentage (which is 66.7).
• Patrick Kane's goal total (zero).
• The Blackhawks' penalty kill percentage (46.7).
Thirteen, 23 or 33 games from now, all of those numbers will look drastically different, but that last number certainly is a concerning one for coach Joel Quenneville's team, especially after finishing 22nd last year in that category.
"It hasn't been good enough; not even close to being good," said Marcus Kruger, a staple on the PK. "We've got to (work) through it. It's going to be a process to getting it better."
One reason the kill rate looks so bad - it was the second-worst in the league going into Monday's games - is because of how St. Louis took advantage of 3 penalties in 94 seconds in the opener. That led to a 5-on-3 goal late in the second period and another tally early in the third.
Being short-handed for that long is not an easy task, and once a team scores it only breeds more confidence for the next opportunity - especially when that opportunity comes right away.
It would be one thing if opponents were scoring with an extra man because rookies are being whistled for dumb infractions, but that hasn't been the case. The goals have come on penalties to Artem Anisimov (three times), Jonathan Toews (twice), Brian Campbell, Trevor van Riemsdyk and Duncan Keith.
Another oddity: Other than that one time he was in the box, Keith has been on the ice for all 5 of the opponents' PP goals. Marian Hossa and Niklas Hjalmarsson have been on the ice for 4 of the goals.
The Hawks must do a better job blocking shots and keeping opponents from shielding the goalie. They also haven't cleared the puck very often, giving PP units more time to set up, cycle the puck and look for the perfect time to rifle a shot to the net.
"You've got to be in shooting lanes, you've got to be willing to block shots," said Tyler Motte. "But you've also got to be in the right position taking passes away.
"Obviously you're down a man so there's going to be a play open or a lane open, and it's our job to make that as small as possible, be in the right position and clear the puck 200 feet to kill some time."
Movin' on up:
Tyler Motte has impressed coaches enough in his first three NHL games that it looks like he will get a promotion to the top line when the Hawks host Philadelphia on Tuesday.
"It's nice," said Motte, who skated with Jonathan Toews and Richard Panik at practice Monday. "(They're showing) a lot of confidence in me. It gives me confidence in myself, and hopefully I'm earning some respect from my teammates and the staff."
Injury update:
Jordin Tootoo was sick Monday and did not practice. If Tootoo can't play Tuesday against Philadelphia, coach Joel Quenneville said the Hawks will go with seven defensemen.
Ryan Hartman remains out with a lower-body injury, but the winger might be able to get on the ice Tuesday. He is "very unlikely" to play against the Flyers, however, according to Quenneville.
Scouting report
Blackhawks vs. Flyers, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, United Center
TV: Comcast SportsNet; Radio: 720-AM
The skinny: The Flyers beat Los Angeles to start the season, then came back from a 3-1 deficit and fell at Arizona after dominating the early part of overtime. ... This will be the only chance Hawks fans get to see Philly at the United Center, so keep an eye on second-year D-man Shayne Gostibehere. The 23-year-old racked up 17 goals and 29 assists in 64 games last season and finished second to the Hawks' Artemi Panarin in Calder Trophy voting. ... Philadelphia has yet to convert on 6 power-play chances, so this is a chance for the beleagured Hawks' PK unit to improve its dismal early season stats. ... Marian Hossa, still 1 goal short of 500 for his career, has an assist in each of the Hawks' first three games … Corey Crawford will start in net for the Hawks.
Next: vs. Columbus at Nationwide Arena, 6 p.m. Friday
- John Dietz