The Blackhawks Penalty Kill Showcases Total Chicago Teamwork

Mar 18, 2013; Denver, CO, USA; Chicago Blackhawks right wing

(67) and center

(16) and Colorado Avalanche defenseman

(8) chase the puck down the ice during the third period at the Pepsi Center. The Blackhawks won 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

The Blackhawks Penalty Kill stats read like this 21-135 86.1% with 5 short-handed goals.

The power play struggles with all the offensive firepower any team in the NHL has to offer, but the PK has been very good most of the season and really great for the past three weeks only giving up one goal during that period.

The biggest reason for the Hawks success has been teamwork and the ability to play any of the four lines at anytime with great success.  The penalty kill is a microcosm of that with any Hawks player that takes the ice during the 2 minute stretch able to make the team stronger no matter what the name on the back of the jersey reads.

The big stars of the Hawks take the ice on the PK which is of course part of the reason that the unit is strong when you can throw out two of the best two way players in the NHL on the ice during the PK by the name of Jonathan Toews and Marian Hossa any unit will be very strong.  Not only can they kill penalties they can put some doubt in the minds of opposing defense-man from taking risks with the thought of a short handed chance always their with these stars on the ice.

The stars are great but the two unheralded Hawks players that solidify the Hawks Pk have been Marcus Kruger and Michael Frolik.  Kruger has been solid all year long with this unit which continues to turn away opponents man advantages.  Frolik is the silent star who stats do not show up in the stat sheet every night but when given the opportunity no matter the task he has turned in a tremendous effort.  No matter what line he plays on he produces and provides energy even when he played on the first line with Toews and Brandon Saad.  This year he was given the task on the PK and he has thrived in this area, just like everything else he has been assigned to do in 2013.

The Hawks have a record of 33-5-4 which is no accident.  This is a team in every sense of the word, but if you are looking for a quick two minute example of why this team has been great from Game #1 just look at any Hawks penalty kill and you will have your answer!

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