If there is one consistent word that has surrounded the Chicago Blackhawks this season, it is “learning.” As a young team, they have emphasized all the lessons learned this season. Whether it’s games, practices, wins or losses, they strive to use every moment as fuel to become the team they envision.
However, with Connor Bedard and Nick Foligno out of the lineup due to injury, and with the team having won just two of nine games in December so far (including a current four-game losing streak), these lessons have been reinforced.
Here are some of the most common moments lately.
1. Learning to play without Bedard
Let’s address the elephant in the room: Bedard. He is dealing with a shoulder injury, was placed on injured reserveand will be re-evaluated after the new year. His return timeline remains unclear and playing without one of the NHL’s top scorers is difficult.
The Blackhawks were Bedard’s team this year. He’s the engine that makes the car run, like Chicago Sports Network posted an image before the Toronto Maple Leafs game on December 16 stating that he had scored or assisted on 48.4% of Blackhawks goals this season.
Head coach Jeff Blashill mentioned two things the team would need to do without Bedard. One was that players will “somehow be pushed into a more important role.” Explaining, “As a whole group, we just need guys to step up and play. We need them to play as close to their A-game as possible every night.” His second point was their need to increase their awareness defensively.
It was also a power play adjustment, as Blashill has had to mix up the two units and they haven’t scored a power play goal in their last five games (three without Bedard playing).
It’s difficult to create an almost entirely new offense without Bedard, but they will understand this better as the games progress.
2. Learning to deal with setbacks
This is the most significant setback for the Blackhawks. They have been on losing streaks before, including a five-game losing streak in late November. But where they are now is different.
Frank Nazar was asked on December 15 if there is a fine line between knowing everyone needs to pull together and not trying to do too much to deviate from their play to help pick up the slack. “I think so. I think it’s something that we’ve had to focus on over the years. Just simplicity, right? Being simple, doing simple things and sticking to our systems. And I think it’s going to be a great test, right? It’s a good adversity to go through, and something that we have to fight and fight against, and prove that we can come out on top.”
3. Learning to take advantage of opportunities
In lieu of injuries, defenseman Ethan Del Mastro and forwards Dominic Toninato and Nick Lardis were recalled from the Rockford IceHogs. Jason Dickinson had a good insight into how the squad can deal with things,
“I think, you know, with Frank [Nazar] and Groenie [Ryan Greene]who both play very good hockey, can now immediately step into a 1C role and take over a bit. And then good youth arrives. Lardy [Nick Lardis] got to play his first NHL game, and you know, I thought he played really well. So it opens up an opportunity for Lards to get some looks. And you know, in a situation where Lards might not otherwise get one power play, he might not get a top-six role. This opens the door for him to get some kind of job, where he doesn’t just walk away with it, but to say, hey, this is an opportunity given to you under circumstances that might not have otherwise existed. So take advantage of it. Because I have often noticed that this competition is based on opportunities, and when the opportunity arises, be prepared to take it.”
Outside of Bedard, the team has talent. With André Burakovsky, Teuvo Teräväinen, Tyler Bertuzzi, Ryan Donato, Moore, Nazar, etc. they have capable goal scorers. It hasn’t worked out this past week, with only three goals in the last three games. But as former head coach Luke Richardson said: “per committee.”
Everyone has excellent opportunities to take advantage of.
4. Learn how to win
This has been the big lesson all season: learning how to win games. They have played close games that they did not win, such as their 1-0 loss to the Colorado Avalanche on November 23. But they have also made some comebacks, such as their 5-3 victory over the Anaheim Ducks on November 30.
It seems like the last few days have strengthened things even further. Like their 3-2 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs on December 16. They won 2-0 in the third period and lost. Blashill discussed the lessons from that game and how they dealt with the loss.
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Blashill continued, “And if we play the same type, it’s probably our best defensive game of the year. I’ve been told that by a number of people, and if we play the same way, you put yourself in a position to win a lot of hockey games. And I think if we had played like that in the game against St. Louis, I think we would have won the game. So things like that are important to keep learning and growing from.”
When it came to their 4–1 loss to the Montreal Canadiens on December 18, Blashill noted that they were in position to win a road game. They were tied 1–1 heading into the third period, but he emphasized that the team needed to adopt more of a shooting mentality (they were outshot 35–15).
Overall, the Blackhawks have always responded well to challenging moments this season. They will only learn more as they go.
They are currently receiving a crash course in teaching moments, but this can help them improve. As Steve Gilliland said, “Lesson learned. Wisdom earned.”
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