Chicago Blackhawks: Improvements to make in TBL rematchon January 15, 2021 at 1:00 pm

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.

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.