Kukla's Korner Hockey

Kukla's Korner Hockey

The Improved Defensive Game Of The Chicago Blackhawks

12/26/2014 at 2:32pm EST

from Mark Lazerus of the Chicago Sun-Times,

Through 35 games, the Hawks have allowed an average of 2.03 goals per game, best in the league and way down from last year’s middling 2.6. If the last month or so has started to feel a lot like the Hawks’ Stanley Cup season of 2013, there’s a good reason. They led the league that season, too, winning the Jennings Trophy by surrendering an average of 2.02 goals per game.

Perhaps most impressive is how the Hawks have been able to shut down opponents who are chasing the lead and taking more chances offensively. The Hawks have given up a mere 21 goals in 35 third periods, again the best in the league. In 2013, they gave up just 35 in 48 games, third-best.

“I think it’s comparable to that year, for sure,” defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson said. “We’re just comfortable out there, playing in our own end when the teams are pressuring. We trust the system that we’re playing and that the coaches want us to play. Everybody in here takes pride on not being scored on.”

The Hawks have been so effective defensively, it hasn’t much mattered who’s been in goal, even when Crawford was twice injured. Crawford, Antti Raanta and rookie Scott Darling all have posted eye-popping numbers.

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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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