Kukla's Korner Hockey

Kukla's Korner Hockey

Defense Is A Problem For The Chicago Blackhawks

01/18/2018 at 2:11pm EST

from Neil Greenberg of the Washington Post,

Chicago is allowing 57 even-strength shot attempts per 60 minutes this season, its highest rate since 2007-08, the first year data is available. More troubling than the increased volume of shots is they are coming from the more dangerous parts of the ice, such as the slot and the crease. Once you account for shot quality, the Blackhawks are allowing shots that carry an expected goal rate of 2.5 per 60 minutes at even strength, the eighth-worst mark of 2017-18. Their expected goal rate against (xGA per 60) in their championship years, 2009-10, 2012-13 and 2014-15 were 1.9, 2.0 and 2.3, respectively.

Among the 146 defensemen playing at least 500 minutes at even strength this season, Keith’s pair ranks 123rd for the quality of shot the team allows with him on the ice (2.7 xGA per 60), Brent Seabrook’s pair ranks 116th (2.7 xGA per 60) and Gustav Forsling’s pair ranks 143rd (2.9 xGA per 60).

more with graphs, charts, etc....

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About Kukla's Korner Hockey

Paul Kukla founded Kukla’s Korner in 2005 and the site has since become the must-read site on the ‘net for all the latest happenings around the NHL.

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