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Chicago Blackhawks: Improvements to make in TBL rematch

By Vincent Parise

TAMPA, FLORIDA - JANUARY 13: Andrei Vasilevskiy #88 of the Tampa Bay Lightning stops a shot from Lucas Wallmark #71 of the Chicago Blackhawks during a game on opening night of the 2020-21 NHL season at Amalie Arena on January 13, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FLORIDA - JANUARY 13: Andrei Vasilevskiy #88 of the Tampa Bay Lightning stops a shot from Lucas Wallmark #71 of the Chicago Blackhawks during a game on opening night of the 2020-21 NHL season at Amalie Arena on January 13, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /
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The Chicago Blackhawks didn’t fare well their first time playing against the Tampa Bay Lightning this season. The defending Stanley Cup Champions really brought it to them in every facet of the game on Opening Night.

Now, with the weird schedule that COVID-19 has forced the NHL to create, there are going to be a few instances where teams play back-to-backs in the same building. That will be the case tonight as the Hawks will take on the Lightning at the Amalie Arena for the second game in a row.

Things didn’t go well the first time at all as they were defeated 5-1. They really didn’t have much of a chance for most of the game and that is not how they need to play all season long. Not every team is going to be as talented and deep as Tampa Bay but improving against them would go a long way for their game against other opponents.

The things to change in this game might give them a new look against Tampa which might allow them to win.

The Chicago Blackhawks must improve their play against Tampa Bay.

Goalie

It wasn’t necessarily Malcolm Subban‘s fault that they were beaten so badly but he did give up five goals. It is hard to see the Hawks putting that guy back in the game against the same team that did that to him two nights prior. He will get plenty of starts this season but it is time to let Collin Delia make his NHL debut. You can’t expect much more than what you got from Subban but at least it is a new player that the Lightning stars haven’t faced yet.

Penalty Kill

The Chicago Blackhawks surrendered three power-play goals to the Tampa Bay Lightning on four power plays on Opening Night. That is not a good penalty killing at all which needs to turn around fast. They aren’t going to have a good record this year but a penalty kill that bad could have them be a historically bad team if they keep it up. Tampa Bay has a lot of stars on their power play so they will get theirs but three goals on four tries are horrible.

Power Play

It makes it even worse when you look and realize that the Blackhawks scored zero power-play goals on three attempts. They are going to have a hard time scoring goals as a team so the power play needs to be taken advantage of. They have studs at forward still healthy like Alex DeBrincat, Patrick Kane, and Dominik Kubalik amongst others along with some defenseman like Duncan Keith and Adam Boqvist that can help with the man advantage. Scoring a goal in this game might go a long way for the unit’s confidence.

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If the Chicago Blackhawks make these necessary adjustments to their game, they still might lose because the Tampa Bay Lightning are one of the three best teams in the National Hockey League. However, it will give them a better chance to win which is always good for the development of the team. Losing every game by four goals or more is no good for anyone involved. Hopefully, this second game against Tampa Bay goes better and they feel good about their game afterward.

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