Blackhawks find signs of life with elite center trio; hope to take advantage of easier schedule ahead

The Chicago Blackhawks are off to a 3-6-0 start, but there are signs a turnaround could be coming. It may be starting with their depth up front.

Over the first six games, the Blackhawks scored just 12 goals and allowed 26, looking like one of the league's weakest teams at both ends of the ice. However, since captain Connor Bedard returned, the team has bounced back with two wins over their last three games, and scoring nine goals while allowing ten. 

Their one loss in that stretch was a shutout against the red-hot Dallas Stars, who lead the NHL by a wide margin with a 1.56 goals-against average. It was a tough night to generate offense for the Blackhawks, or any other team facing Dallas right now.

The most encouraging part of Chicago's recent offense has been how the goals have come. The Blackhawks have spread their three young centers, Bedard, Anton Frondell and Frank Nazar, across three lines, giving each unit a strong presence down the middle. It seems to be working. 

Over the last three games, Bedard has three points and Frondell has two assists. Nazar returned from a two-game suspension with a goal and an assist, giving him goals in three of his last four games and a point-per-game pace in that span.

The favorable road ahead for offense

With every center finding the scoresheet, and a favorable schedule ahead against tough teams that have been struggling defensively, the Blackhawks have a chance to keep it going. After a five-day layoff, with no game since Saturday, they return Friday against the Montreal Canadiens. This Canadian team is coming off a Eastern Conference Final last season but has dealt with a goaltending storyline all year.

Starter Jakub Dobeš has a 4.47 goals-against average and a .847 save percentage in five appearances, while the Canadiens as a team have a 3.78 goals against per game. This ranks in the bottom five in the NHL this season.

Sunday brings a game against the Florida Panthers, who have also struggled defensively. With goaltender Jacob Markstrom again battling injuries and recently placed on injured reserve, it's been a rough start for the Panthers. They've allowed 22 goals over their last six games for a 3.67 goals against average.

The third matchup is against yet another struggling defense in the Los Angeles Kings. Once an elite defensive club, Los Angeles has slid since parting ways with head coach Jim Hiller. They've allowed 3.86 goals per game, the fourth-worst mark in the league. Starter Darcy Kuemper also has begun the season with brutal numbers in a 3.94 goals-against average and a .869 save percentage in five games.

Finally, when the Blackhawks return to the road to face the Detroit Red Wings next Thursday, they will meet a team that has allowed three or more goals in six of their nine games this season.

If Chicago and its trio of centers can take advantage of the schedule and things break their way, the Blackhawks could come out of this stretch with a winning record and some added confidence heading into a much tougher run. That stretch includes games against the red-hot Boston Bruins, Colorado Avalanche, Tampa Bay Lightning, Carolina Hurricanes and Buffalo Sabres.

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