Chicago Blackhawks: 6 Things Needed To Beat Blues

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Apr 13, 2016; St. Louis, MO, USA; Chicago Blackhawks right wing Patrick Kane (88) skates with the puck against the St. Louis Blues during the first period in game one of the first round of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scottrade Center. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /

Chicago Blackhawks Need 6 Things To Defeat St. Louis

The first-round Stanley Cup Playoffs series between the St. Louis Blues and the Chicago Blackhawks turned in favor of St. Louis on Sunday afternoon, after the Blues rallied to defeat the Blackhawks despite starting the third period down by one goal. St. The Blues now commands a 2-1 series lead, with one more game to be played in Chicago before both teams head back to St. Louis for Game 5.

The Blackhawks hope to even the series in Game 4, but they will need to improve in a lot of areas if they expect to beat the confident and in-form St. Louis Blues. Here are six things the Chicago Blackhawks need in order to win Game 4 tonight at the United Center.

1. Command The Play

The St. Louis Blues have shut down Chicago’s counter-attack, offensive rush and breakaway opportunities, and in doing so they have severely diminished the quality of the Blackhawks’ scoring chances. Looking at the five goals scored by the Blackhawks so far this postseason, two goals came off shots from the point, two goals came off scrappy plays down low and one goal was put into an empty net off a clearing attempt.

Insistent pressure from the Blues has disrupted the passing and puck-handling that define Chicago’s style of play. The Blackhawks have been unable to establish their playing style, and they have suffered because St. Louis dictated the pace and style of the game in all of the first three games in the series. If the Blackhawks cannot command the puck and drive the Blues onto their heels, they will struggle to move on to the next round of playoff hockey.

2. Beat Brian Elliott

The Chicago Blackhawks need to find ways to put the puck past Elliott. They suffered a shutout in Game 1, and in Game 3 they converted only two of their 46 shots on goal. ‘Hawks skaters rang a few shots off the posts, but bad luck is bad luck, not a good excuse for Chicago’s inability to score goals.

The Blues defense attacked puck carriers and broke up scoring chances in the first three games. After fighting through tough defenders, Chicago’s shooters face a squared-up Elliott, with no openings in sight. If the Blackhawks can establish their passing game, and if they can work a nice cycle in the offensive zone, then they will be able to force Elliott to track the puck, and the net will open up a little more.

Trust in the time-tested strategy: If you get the goaltender moving, you will see more of the net and score more goals. Screens in front of goal seem to be working so far for the ‘Hawks, so that could be another way to try and crack Elliott’s game. Chicago skaters will need to battle hard against the massive Blues defensemen in order to maintain a net-front presence, but it will be worth it when the goals begin to tally. In the end, it doesn’t really matter how the Blackhawks score. They just need to finish more of the chances they are afforded.

3. Big Plays From Top Players

The Blackhawks’ scoresheet through three games looks pitiful. Andrew Ladd, Marian Hossa and Teuvo Teravainen have failed to contribute even one single point to Chicago’s offensive effort. Team-leading sniper Patrick Kane earned three assists, but he remains barred from the goal scorers’ club. Captain Jonathan Toews set up two goals as well, but just like Kane, he’s lost that scoring feeling.

Five of Chicago’s top forwards are goalless. In the playoffs, every player needs to chip in where he can to help his team win. Perhaps more importantly, every team needs its star players to lead the way by making big plays and scoring big goals. Toews, Kane, Hossa, Ladd, Teravainen — all of these players need to let loose and start playing world-class hockey. Until Chicago’s star players decide to put out for their team, Blackhawks fans should expect to lose.

Next: Keys No. 4-6

Apr 15, 2016; St. Louis, MO, USA; Chicago Blackhawks left wing Andrew Ladd (16) is checked by St. Louis Blues defenseman Carl Gunnarsson (4) during the first period in game two of the first round of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scottrade Center. Mandatory Credit: Billy Hurst-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Discipline

The St. Louis Blues converted twice on the powerplay in Game 3, finishing the match with a 66 percent success rate. The Blackhawks need to stay out of the penalty box against the Blues’ deadly special teams group.

This has been a very physical series, making it a frustrating series for the Blackhawks. They’ve been pounded by Blues skaters, and they haven’t seen much compensation for their suffering — the goals just aren’t happening. Even though Chicago’s skaters may be worn down and disheartened, especially late in games, they need to maintain discipline and not commit penalties.

5. Play Six Defensemen

With Svedberg averaging around eight minutes per game, it looks like the Blackhawks are playing with five defensemen. But

really, only four defensemen are playing serious minutes — Brent Seabrook, Duncan Keith, Niklas Hjalmarsson and Trevor van Riemsdyk all average more than 23 minutes of ice-time per game. This is not sustainable, especially considering Blues skaters are targeting Blackhawks defensemen and nailing them with lots of hits.

Chicago needs to find two reliable defensemen to take some of the burden off the top four. But who will step up? Rozsival hardly deserves his meager 16 minutes per game. The veteran defender looks too old to compete; he crumbles under pressure, turning the puck over too frequently and in dangerous areas.

Svedberg’s size might be seen as helpful, but he lacks the maturity to stay out of the penalty box. His misdemeanors on the ice have already cost the Blackhawks one goal, and honestly, they are dumb penalties to take — holding the stick, roughing and high-sticking. John Scott also stood tall at 6 feet, 8 inches, but he never really helped the Blackhawks win games.

Only the little locker room gremlins know why ex-villain Christian Ehrhoff hasn’t seen a minute of ice time. He earned 73 games of playoff experience with the San Jose Sharks and the Vancouver Canucks, so maybe he should dress to play. Could he really be much worse than Rozsival right now?

The only viable option seems to be untested rookie defenseman Erik Gustafsson. He plays smart in the defensive zone, and he always keeps one eye open for offensive opportunities. In any case, the Blackhawks need to play six defensemen against this hard-hitting, energetic St. Louis team. Spreading the minutes around may stave off the fatigue that leads to late-game collapses.

6. Maintain Energy

The St. Louis Blues are the come-from-behind team this year, and the Blackhawks should take notice. This Blues team is never out of a fight, so even when the Blackhawks build a lead on the scoreboard, the game is not over. Chicago needs to keep its energy high in order to fend off the St. Louis third-period blitz. The Blackhawks cannot afford to be complacent or idle when leading in a game.

The Blackhawks need to threaten the Blues with explosive counter-attacks and poise during extended periods of possession in the offensive zone. Play to shatter the confidence of the St. Louis Blues. Keep killing, even if the score is 9-1. What a boost it would be if the Blackhawks explode with six or seven goals in Game 4!

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