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3 takeaways from the Chicago Blackhawks' first week of the season

The Chicago Blackhawks finished the week 1-1-1.

By Ethan Gawronski |
Chicago Blackhawks v Edmonton Oilers
Chicago Blackhawks v Edmonton Oilers / Leila Devlin/GettyImages
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The first week of the 2024-25 NHL season has concluded for the Chicago Blackhawks as they continue their season-beginning road-trip.

Throughout three games, the Blackhawks posted a record of 1-1-1 after games against the Utah Hockey Club, Winnipeg Jets, and Edmonton Oilers.

Throughout three games, the Blackhawks have shown that they are already more competitive than they were last season.

Despite a sluggish start to their season opener in Utah, the team bounced back and controlled play for most of the remainder of the game, but were unable to find the back of the net.

Looking for a more complete effort, the Blackhawks went into Winnipeg against a strong Jets team and held them scoreless until the last minute of the game. Both goaltenders were fantastic as the Blackhawks fell in overtime after two goals by Winnipeg's Mark Scheifele.

That strong effort led the Blackhawks into Edmonton to face the Stanley Cup runner-ups from last season. This time, the offense clicked as the team rallied for five goals and an excellent team effort throughout for a 5-2 victory.

Here are three takeaways from the Blackhawks' first week of the season...

A strong start from Vlasic

After his breakout rookie season last year, many are now looking toward Alex Vlasic as becoming a future core piece of the Blackhawks roster.

Vlasic has been shuffled around during the games so far, normally starting the games on a pair with TJ Brodie but eventually being reunited with Seth Jones. Last year's top pair of Jones and Vlasic still seems to be the best on the team and has resulted in better play from both defenders.

In the first three games, Vlasic has two assists and has been showing more confidence to jump into the play on offense.

Despite being more of a shut-down defender, Vlasic's confidence to make plays is evident in how he's started the season. The young defender is looking more comfortable and seems to be benefiting from the added talent on the roster.

Head Coach Luke Richardson can roll four lines

Ever since Luke Richardson was hired as the Blackhawks' Head Coach, he has implemented a style of tenacity and strong work ethic in attempt to make his team's difficult to play against.

During his first couple of seasons, the talent on the roster was not enough to make his style entirely effective. However, he is coaching undoubtedly the best roster he's had yet in Chicago and the results are beginning to show.

The Blackhawks now are able to ice four lines that they feel are truly effective. It may not be the best forward group in the NHL, but it is much deeper and talented than the last couple of seasons.

Richardson's system is showing progress this season already. The Blackhawks have gotten better at getting pucks behind the opposing defense and forechecking hard to force mistakes.

So far, there hasn't been a forward line that looks truly out of place. Each line has put in the work and shown decent results at both ends of the ice.

Although it is still very early on in the season, it looks as though the numerous line combinations is going to be beneficial for this team going forward and should allow them to be more competitive than last season.

Bedard and Teravainen on the same line is working

Going into this season, many wondered if Teuvo Teravainen and Connor Bedard would start the season as linemates considering the chemistry Bedard had with Philipp Kurashev last season.

So far, Teravainen and Bedard have been the Blackhawks' best duo and have contributed for most of their offense. The two are currently tied for the team lead in points with five apiece, with Teravainen leading the way with three goals.

The combination of both player's hockey IQ seemed like it would be a great match on paper, and that speculation has been correct in these first three games.

Bedard is already looking like an improved player this season and seems much more acclimated to the speed of the NHL. He is playing with more confidence as well which has resulted in some near jaw-dropping plays out of the 19-year-old.

Both Teravainen and Bedard have seemed to find each other quite well and have the ability to make the high-skilled plays that were missing last season.

This duo has made an impact at 5-on-5 and on the power play as well. Two of Teravainen's three goals have come on the power play and the unit as a whole looks poised and moves the puck well.

Throughout these first three games, the Blackhawks look as though they have a new offensive duo to lead the charge upfront. It will be exciting to see what they can do as the season goes on.

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