1 week Ago By Steve Kwiatkowski, On Tap Sports Net
The Chicago Blackhawks played their final home game of the 2024-25 season on April 12, losing 5-4 in the shootout against the Winnipeg Jets. Connor Bedard and Frank Nazar tallied two points in one of the Blackhawks' best efforts of the season. Pat Maroon and Alec Martinez both played their final NHL game before they head off into retirement.
The Blackhawks' Effort There have been numerous times this season where the Blackhawks follow up a decent period with an atrocious one. Almost every game they've played in they usually have one period where their effort is non-existent. Even though their possession metrics weren't good in this game, they showed up every period.
The Blackhawks finished owning 38% of shot attempts (Corsi) and a 44% expected goals share (xG%) at 5-on-5. While the Blackhawks made the most of their limited chances, the Jets were frustrated with their own efforts. Nick Foligno took advantage of a misread by Connor Helleybuck while the Hawks were on the penalty kill and scored the first goal of the game.
Foligno shorty puts the #Blackhawks up 1-0 pic.twitter.com/B4Gbp5FM70 Spencer Knight While the Blackhawks' effort was commendable, Spencer Knight was arguably the reason why the Hawks were able to survive to the shootout.
Knight stopped 37 of 41 shots and finished with a .902 SV%. What is impressive is that Knight stopped all 15 high-danger shots.
He clearly bailed out the defense on some breakdowns. All four goals that Knight allowed in regulation were glove side, although Josh Morrissey's looked like a funny bounce. Knight just needs to work on that glove, but he still had an incredible night making saves like the one below.
KNIGHT OH MY pic.twitter.com/BesXhS9hDS Frank Nazar and Connor Bedard Frank Nazar has consistently put up excellent metrics.
Nazar drove his line with Teuvo Teravainen and Tyler Bertuzzi to serve as the only line with positive numbers: a 69% Corsi and 88 xG%. Nazar also had the second-best Corsi (61%) and expected goals share (83%). With six scoring chances, seven shot attempts, and four shots on goal, Nazar continues to bring his best game night-in-night-out.
Nazar puts the Hawks on top. pic.twitter.
com/yA7MrGlOmv Nazar's approach to the game is something that should spread to his teammates, like Connor Bedard. Bedard had one scoring chance, three shot attempts, and three shots on goal. At 5-on-5 he only had one shot attempt.
It's easy to shield criticism from Bedard because he's not playing with players who see the game the same way he does. Teams also know how to defend Bedard. Bedard has also just played through two seasons on the worst team in his hockey career.
That said, Nazar is an older player than Bedard. I do think that Nazar's confidence and compete are something that Bedard can learn from. Bedard delays wide on offensive-zone entries.
Whether that's something that's coached or not, Bedard's 5-on-5 production hasn't been great. And just to be clear, Bedard will be fine. Two consecutive 60+ point seasons are great production from a 19-year-old.
I just think it's ok to criticize your best player when it's warranted. What's On Tap Next? Alec Martinez announced before the game that this was going to be his final NHL game. Both Pat Maroon and Martinez head off into retirement.
There are six Stanley Cups between both of those players. I hope the Blackhawks young players learned valuable lessons from them. The Blackhawks have two games remaining.
Monday night, April 14, the Blackhawks play against the Montreal Canadiens where Ivan Demidov will make his NHL debut. Puck drop will be at 6:00 p.m.
CT. This article first appeared on On Tap Sports Net and was syndicated with permission..
