Blackhawks Coaching Change Paying Off With Recent Play
It appears that the Chicago Blackhawks are responding well to their recent coaching change after they fired Luke Richardson and hired interim rookie head coach Anders Sorensen from the Rockford Ice Hogs.
For long stretches of the season, the Blackhawks looked listless and unable to win any hockey games let alone a period of hockey with Richardson constantly reassuring people especially the media that they're doing everything they can to make the changes to help the team win.
The Blackhawks have regained their confidence and have played.500 hockey has their current record is 4-4-0. They have also found their offense as Connor Bedard seems to have found his scoring touch and looks dangerous at times with the puck.
There are three areas of the Blackhawks game that have improved under Sorensen and have certainly been noticeable. Sorensen feels that the lines need to be consistent and stay the same so that chemistry can be built and find its rhythm.
This was present when the Blackhawks won the game against the Washington Capitals where they were down 2-0 and scored three goals in the third period to win the game.
During the loss against the Calgary Flames last evening, Bedard had another 3-point night which now puts him at nine points in seven games. He's giving Bedard a chance to open with his offence and with the recent callup of Frank Nazar who has shown his playmaking abilities.
Sorensen has also implemented the defence to become more aggressive in the offensive zone where they can either pinch to help create goals or shots from the point.
Another key call up is Kevin Korchinski who was the 7th overall pick two years ago who had a year with the Blackhawks and then was sent back to Rockford.
He looks more confident and more poised in his role along the blue line and will help the Blackhawks find more stability in their game.
Lastly, Sorensen has found a way to reignite Teuvo Teravainen as he have become a force once again after becoming a non factor in the Blackhawks lineup under Richardson.
The steady line changes and the lack of confidence really hindered his growth of his game with the Blackhawks but now seems to be able to score again as he plays alongside Jason Dickinson and Ilya Mikheyev.
It's safe to say that general manager Kyle Davidson's gamble has paid off early on and it remains to be seen on how the Blackhawks will fare under his leadership as he is still auditioning for the job and hopes to have the interim tags taken off his name.
Davidson will be careful and do a steady evaluation as there are many coaches on the market now who could be the answer as well for the Blackhawks going forward.
