Chicago Blackhawks: An In-Depth Look at New Lineup Down the Stretch

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The Chicago Blackhawks recent losses has somehow vaulted them further into desperation mode than previously imaginable. They’re down, but not out (yet). As a result, coach Jeremy Colliton has began testing new lines in practice.

During the Chicago Blackhawks practice today, coach Jeremy Colliton paid homage to his predecessor by hitting the “blend” button on the ‘Hawks lines. Here’s what came out:

Saad-Toews-Hayden
DeBrincat-Strome-Perlini
Kahun-Anisimov-Kane
Kunitz-Kampf-Kruger

NBC Sports Chicago’s Charlie Roumeliotis spoke with Colliton following the Blackhawks’ practice this morning.

“It was kind of a test run to see how they looked,” coach Jeremy Colliton said. “It’s an option to spread it out again. We haven’t exactly been perfect lately, so it’s an option.”

A lineup change is always a go-to way of attempting to spark a change in the on-ice product. Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane were both major parts of the seven-game win streak, but Kane has been kept quiet (2 points) in his last 5 games.

Toews, on the other hand, hasn’t slowed down much adding 7 points over the same stretch. Splitting them up again could jump-start Kane while balancing the scoring approach.

Colliton said close to the same on Kane and Toews to Roumeliotis earlier today.

“Yeah, because we need them to produce,” Colliton said on the importance of scaling back the hard minutes. “When they don’t it’s hard for us to win. Again, we would welcome secondary scoring and positive shifts and play in the offensive zone from the other lines. Even if they just do that, that’s going to help the whole team. We can control the momentum and the tempo of the game better than we have.”

A lineup change from Colliton is certainly justified after the Blackhawks lost 4 out of their last 5. These changes are drastic, but desperate times call for desperate measures.

There seems to be two real possibilities:

A) The Chicago Blackhawks excel with a balanced lineup and are able to roll four (or at least three) lines without feeling like they’re putting a liability on the ice.

B) The Chicago Blackhawks offense falls apart without their top heavy approach and plummet in the standings.

Should be fun, right? Let’s take a look.

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – FEBRUARY 14: Jonathan Toews #19 and Brandon Saad #20 of the Chicago Blackhawks celebrate Saads’ short-handed goal in the third period against the New Jersey Devils at the United Center on February 14, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. The Blackhawks defeated the devils 5-2. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

1. Saad-Toews-Hayden

The justification for splitting up Kane and Toews makes sense. When they’re apart the Blackhawks have an undeniably more balanced lineup. In this line, John Hayden slides into the role previously played by Drake Caggiula, providing a big net-front presence.

Brandon Saad‘s promotion is justifiable, however I think his chances to play first line minutes are running out. The Chicago Blackhawks have tried him here multiple times without success. After all, there’s a reason he was moved off of it.

That said, Saad is playing a stronger, two-way game now while Toews is also playing better hockey than he was at the start of the season.

Obviously we’d all love to see Saad and Toews work together as line-mates like the ‘Hawks hoped they would upon reacquiring Saad, but recent history isn’t on their side.

2. DeBrincat-Strome-Perlini

This line is the same as it was against the San Jose Sharks in the Blackhawks last outing.

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In that game, Alex DeBrincat tallied an assist while Dylan Strome scored his 17th goal of the season. The two of them have been outstanding together offensively since Strome was traded to Chicago.

Meanwhile, Brendan Perlini has struggled since being packaged with Strome earlier this season. He has just 12 points in 53 games this season. Perlini, an RFA after this season, will be playing meaningful hockey down the stretch of this season if he wants the Blackhawks to resign him.

Personally, I feel he’s too young for the Blackhawks not to resign him, but that’s another conversation.

If Colliton could get him going offensively playing alongside Strome and DeBrincat he’d look like a genius. Perlini scored two goals against the LA Kings four days ago, so perhaps he can use that momentum to produce in this role.

COLUMBUS, OH – OCTOBER 20: Artem Anisimov #15 of the Chicago Blackhawks, Nick Schmaltz #8, Erik Gustafsson #56, Brent Seabrook #7 and Patrick Kane #88 celebrate after Kane scored during the third period of the game against the Columbus Blue Jackets on October 20, 2018 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. Chicago defeated Columbus 4-1. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images) /

3. Kahun-Anisimov-Kane

This line is the most interesting line Colliton came up with. Aside from Patrick Kane earning less minutes, I like it a lot. Dominik Kahun is a skilled player with incredible hands. It isn’t a stretch to think him and Kane could develop some chemistry together playing against favorable matchups.

This line forces opposing teams to make a decision defensively. Patrick Kane is an unreal offensive talent who needs to be accounted for. This line will either see favorable matchups or create them for the top-six, either of which I’m okay with.

So long as Artem Anisimov manages to stay out of the way, I don’t mind this group together. Still, it’s hard not to have Patrick Kane playing top-six minutes. It’ll be interesting to see how Colliton handles the distribution of ice time.

4. Kunitz-Kampf-Kruger

Well, it’s great to see David Kampf back. The rest of the line I can more or less do without at this point.

Neither Chris Kunitz or Marcus Kruger are likely to be back next season, so the sooner Caggiula can return to bump Hayden back into this role the better. While there isn’t anything particularly exciting about this line, it’d be nice if Kampf can play well enough to not make this group a complete liability on the ice.

A guy can dream.

The reality of the situation is the Chicago Blackhawks need a lot of things to go right if they want to make a miraculous run into the playoffs. The alternative? A nose dive into the bottom of the league. Either is manageable, but the middle of the road isn’t.

This lineup seems to embody that do or die mentality.

Regardless of the way this season ends, these last 16 games will be huge for the Chicago Blackhawks. Though the fans might want to see them mail it in, this team will be fighting until the very end. Just ask Jonathan Toews.

“I think we all realize these are our playoffs right now,” Toews said. “We have some guys in this room aside from myself that are getting a lot of ice time and a lot of pressure and have seen some tough, heavy games and never really make excuses. I don’t think fatigue should be an excuse.”

Though the fans might want to see them mail it in, this team will be fighting until the very end. What else would you expect?

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It isn’t real playoff experience, but it feels like it for the Chicago Blackhawks. Everyone wants to play meaningful hockey, and every game from here on out is more or less a must-win.

It doesn’t get anymore meaningful than that.

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