Previewing the Chicago Blackhawks

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The last few years, I have watched a lot of hockey other than the Oilers. Mainly it started because I wanted to see some good hockey, and that was not possible being an Oilers fan. I have tended to watch teams over the last five to seven years who play styles that I enjoy. That style, for me, tends to be fast, aggressive, skating hockey.

I love when defencemen activate and join the rush. I have also focused on watching players that I think would be a good fit for the Oilers to trade for or sign.

As I am a big fan of the NHL draft, I will watch players on occasion (or more) just to stay up to date on them. One of those players for me was Adam Larsson. I was a fan of his scouting reports pre-2011 draft, and while he wasn’t the quickest developing player or “True #1D”, I had a very good idea of the player when the Oilers acquired him.

One of the things I have done is look at coaching styles or team styles and how the teams match up against the Oilers. I am a huge fan of analytics, because I don’t think I can catch the whole game with my eyes, and I often think; What am I missing?

So in saying that I have embarked on a project of “pre-scouting” some of the Oilers opponents by simply watching for their systems offensively, defensively and in the transition game. I try not to look player specific but rather team wise, although many times players really pop out.

I can readily admit that this is small sample size viewing, typically two to five games of the opponent. While I would love to have a bigger sample size I don’t have the time or desire to watch some of the upcoming opponents (I hate trap style hockey, so I won’t do any Dave Tippett games).

Brief History

When the Oilers went into the All-Star break I decided to get in as many views as I could of the Oilers first three opponents coming out of the break, which were the Wild, Predators, and Hurricanes. I decided then to share my “scouting” with a few people who I respect. They said that they enjoyed them, and all of them said I should post them for the general public.

I am reticent for a couple reasons, first of all I wish I had the time for a bigger sample size. I also have no intention of doing many of the remaining games but do plan on doing something similar for the Oilers likeliest Playoff opponent. So tonight, I will share my notes on the Blackhawks. This time I didn’t go to in depth due to only a few views, and many people have watched them lots due to their long playoff runs the last several years.

Blackhawks Pre-Scouting Notes

Offensively

• Offensively tend to be a more aggressive team than some other teams, looking to take the play to the opponent as soon as they had the puck
• System flowed down low behind the goal line and then back to the point, keeping the defenseman active. They attempted to use the outside game to draw the defenders out of position and then moved the puck quickly across to the slot when the opportunity opened. They struggled in the offensive zone when the opposing defenders didn’t chase
• Still pretty good, especially Kane and Panarin. Toews was very good and active in my viewings.
• Bottom six tended to be not productive in the offensive zone, aside from Hartman who was tough and a pain for the opponents to play. He was very active with a nice release and ability to get open.

Defensively

• Defensively were susceptible to breakdown when opponents attacked with the down low behind the goal line back to the point play.
• Forwards tended to often be puck watching, perhaps the roster turnover has affected them more defensively than offensively.
• Hjalmarsson tended to be the match up against the opponents top line.
• Due to them looking to be aggressive so quickly when they attained possession of the puck, it might allow for breakdowns when the opponents cut off those zone exits quickly leading to high risk plays against them.

Really poor defensive coverage by #Blackhawks a couple times there.

— Chris Freeman (@toooldtobehook) February 9, 2017

This #Blackhawks game is so hard to watch, especially when you're a fan of defensive hockey. #NorthSouthHockey

— Jacob Kepler (@iM_JakeKepler) January 18, 2017

Final Thoughts

If the Oilers aren’t their usual rusty self coming out of a break, they match up decently against the Blackhawks. Obviously the Hawks have lost a lot of talent over the last few years and that really shows up. Offensively, the Oilers can expose the Hawks, they have the talent and skill level to do that. Defensively the Oilers need to be patient and not be caught chasing them. Crawford, if he is in net, has played very strong but I think they are weaker than most think. In my opinion they are a much better match up against the Oilers than the Minnesota Wild are.

Hope you enjoyed this, please feel free to contact me on twitter https://twitter.com/SuperNovs1