Blackhawks’ Home Stand Could Make or Break Season

The offense has been anemic, with Alex Vlasic and Anton Frondell as the only Blackhawks with multiple points. Even against the Sabres, when they scored three goals, Chicago was outplayed and fortunate to finish within a goal.

Possession numbers are awful. The team has been pinned in their own zone often, and only the Vancouver Canucks, Philadelphia Flyers, and Calgary Flames have given up more goals than the Blackhawks to date. A lot needs to be fixed, and it needs to be done quickly.

Roster Challenges

It doesn’t help that a young team with little depth is being challenged so early. Connor Bedard’s injury doesn’t help, and though he has been skating with the team, he is still wearing a non-contact jersey, so we shouldn’t expect him back soon.

Bowen Byram missed Saturday’s game for the birth of his twins, while Andrew Mangiapane is “week-to-week” with a lower-body injury. While these absences haven’t helped, the team needs more from their young group.

Roman Kantserov has one shot and is a minus-four through three games. Frank Nazar is also pointless and a minus-five. The only upside is that the Blackhawks’ five goals have all come from different players. Now, they need the rest of the lineup to start contributing at the level they are expected to.

Now Is the Time to Turn It Around

Starting the season with three road games against playoff teams is a tough ask for a young roster. Returning home for an extended home stand might be just what the doctor ordered. The unfortunate part is that these eight games are also very difficult.

Starting with the St. Louis Blues on Tuesday, the Blackhawks then face the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday, Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday, Winnipeg Jets next Thursday, Dallas Stars, Montreal Canadiens, Florida Panthers, and Los Angeles Kings during this stretch, with a trip to Long Island this Thursday sandwiched in between. That is as tough a slate as anyone could ask for, let alone without your star player.

Right now, the team is on the verge of snowballing in the wrong direction. They don’t need to run the table over the next nine games, but they must play .500 hockey, at least. If they lose six of nine or worse, it will be another lottery-pick season with or without Bedard. Management can’t afford to continue to struggle, especially with their talent and players on other struggling franchises wanting out.

The Blackhawks are in a tough situation to begin the season, and no one is coming to help. The young core will have to put the work in if they want to avoid another embarrassing campaign.