These Lineup Changes could Solve the Blackhawks’ Scoring Problem

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Chicago Blackhawks (Photo by Derek Leung/Getty Images) /

Apparently, the Blackhawks are trying to pick it up on even-strength play and the line shuffling COULD prove to be beneficial.

The Blackhawks have not done very well on 5 on 5 play with only 24 goals in 19 games. On top of that, the Blackhawks’ loaded top line of Alex Debrincat, Patrick Kane, and Kirby Dach have not played up to expectation, looking to be defending more often than not. This is attributed to the lack of faceoff success by Dach and the current snake-bitten state of Kane. Dominik Kubalik and Dylan Strome can’t seem to be able to buy a goal either, despite creating multiple chances to do so.

As we look at the current line combinations via NBCSports Chicago‘s Charlie Roumeliotis, I will give my reasonings behind what I would tweak on the forward lines and why. I will start with the bottom six, and finish with the top line.

Bottom Six

Line 4: Jujhar Khaira – Ryan Carpenter – Reese Johnson

This has been the Blackhawks’ energy line as of late, and they should play with the style of “Crash the Net”. What this means is that whenever they have the puck, they throw it on net at every chance. Get in the face of the goaltender and cause fits for him as a minimum of two bodies would be in front of the net for a tip play, and the other waiting to slap in a rebounded shot. I think this would help this line greatly as this is how depth forwards need to play, especially the fourth line.

Line 3: Adam Gaudette – Kirby Dach – Brandon Hagel

This line would be able to either hit the opposition, or create plays with the underrated offense creativity of Adam Gaudette. Kirby Dach would be able to work on his faceoffs against lesser opposition being apart from Kane and Debrincat, and Hagel would be that high-motor guy you need on the line. I feel like this line would have a great, responsible heavy forecheck who could take away the puck by winning puck battles, and pass to the open man for a tap in goal. They are also good enough to run a cycle play, as all three are more than capable of controlling the puck in the zone. Yes, Hagel deserves to be in the top-six, but I have something else thought up for the team. This is the first of three scoring lines for the Blackhawks.

Let’s now look at the top-six, and why I feel these lines and strategies would work

Alex DeBrincat #12, Chicago Blackhawks (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) /

Line 2: Henrik Borgstrom – Dylan Strome – Alex Debrincat

This line would be electrifying once Henrik Borgstrom finds his game. He was touted as an electrifying player who was called “The Artist” back in the University of Denver, who’s creativity and puck handling would result in a plethora of highlight reel plays. He has not done such things in the NHL (understandably so), but I feel like once he regains confidence in his skills, he would be a great addition to the top-six. Dylan Strome looks better than he did in the last couple of weeks with a few good scoring chances that were whiffed, and Alex Debrincat has been on a scoring streak as of late, something that this team could use.

This line possesses three potential high-risk threats for the opposition to defend if all three of them are playing to expectation. If this line has all three of these young guys going, this will be one of the most electrifying lines in the league. This line will ONLY be a threat and stay together if they play with confidence (playing with the pairing of Connor Murphy and Jake McCabe most likely).

Line 1: Dominik Kubalik – Jonathan Toews – Patrick Kane

The reasoning why I believe that this would make a good line is because both Kane and Dominik Kubalik have had multiple great chances to score, but could not finish. Jonathan Toews, also, doesn’t seem to be able to buy a goal as of late. All three of these guys would be able to run a cycle possession in the offensive zone following a faceoff win by Toews. You have three (maybe four with Seth Jones ) threats on the ice for offensive zone draws and if all of these guys can finally catch fire and produce offense, this team will skyrocket in the standings.

Conclusion

To conclude, it is not rocket science to find that the Blackhawks possess some serious firepower on their roster. It is not the lack of offensive skill or potential that is holding this team back, but rather the fact that this team is still fragile mentally, still trying their best not to make mistakes other than to try and find their game. There is no shortage of offense on this team, every one of these top-nine guys can take off in a game.

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The Blackhawks have three threatening scoring lines here, and what they need to figure out is how to get going. This team is currently snake bit, it’s not the fact that they can’t create chances, it’s the lack of capitalizing on them. I feel like these lines will aid in the offensive woes and lead the Blackhawks to the postseason. Derek King and Marc Crawford could put the top-nine in the blender, but the fourth line has to remain the same. Allow guys who play the same way to play together, not force a skill guy to play with a grinder. That won’t lead to success.

The Blackhawks “welcome” the Blues to the United Center at 2:30 pm.

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