The Blackhawks’ ahead corps is in an odd spot.
The supposed first- and second-line stars are struggling, however the supposed third- and fourth-line grinders and depth contributors are excelling.
It’s an odd and not-easily-solved predicament for a staff that went by way of the offseason appearing as if its depth, not its top-end expertise, was the realm most in want of enchancment.
After the loss Sunday to the Capitals — the Hawks’ fourth defeat in six video games — coach Jeremy Colliton was requested why Dominik Kubalik, who simply had recorded a whopping 10 pictures on aim, wasn’t getting extra ice time.
‘‘I think you can say that for a lot of guys,’’ Colliton mentioned. ‘‘[Alex] Nylander has been excellent. Kubalik’s been wonderful. [Ryan] Carpenter, up and down. Now [Kirby] Dach steps in and is absolutely good. That is absolutely good for our staff — competitors — and there’s nothing unsuitable with everybody in all probability deserving slightly bit extra as a result of meaning we’ve depth and we’re going to be onerous to play towards.
‘‘Over time, it’s going so as to add as much as some fairly good performances. Sometimes it’s simpler to be actually good should you simply play slightly bit lower than possibly you may deal with.’’
On one hand, Colliton is appropriate. The dominance of the Kubalik-David Kampf-Brandon Saad line has been much-discussed. The new fourth line of Nylander, Carpenter and Drake Caggiula — created when Dach’s insertion into the lineup Sunday bumped Caggiula down — additionally skated circles across the Caps.
So, sure, virtually each participant in that backside six deserves extra ice time, based mostly on efficiency.
On the opposite hand, virtually each participant within the prime six deserves much less ice time, based mostly on efficiency.
Jonathan Toews has but to report a five-on-five level this season. Andrew Shaw could be in the identical boat if the house opener was excluded. Alex DeBrincat, coming off a 41-goal eruption final season, hasn’t scored at even power. Dylan Strome has had an unremarkable begin, and Dach was the one Hawks ahead and not using a shot on aim in his debut. Only Patrick Kane has been productive.
In reality, the underside six have been outright higher than the highest six in each class: objectives, assists, factors, pictures, pictures on aim, scoring probabilities and shot accuracy.
And not by minuscule margins, both. For instance, the third and fourth traces have averaged 5.three factors and 25.three scoring probabilities per 60 minutes at five-on-five; the primary and second traces have averaged 4.7 factors and 19.5 scoring probabilities.
The Blackhawks’ bottom-six forwards have been extra productive than the staff’s top-six forwards in three essential statistical classes.Chicago Sun-Times graphic | Statistics from Natural Stat Trick
But Colliton can’t feasibly clear up that by flipping his depth chart. Despite their polar-opposite Octobers, nobody moderately can argue Carpenter ought to play 20 minutes and Toews 10 minutes Tuesday towards the Golden Knights.
Elevating the bottom-six forwards with top-six attributes amongst their expertise — Kubalik, Saad and Nylander are the plain candidates — jumps out as the obvious resolution.
That, nonetheless, would break up the trios which can be clicking proper now and doubtlessly destroy the little chemistry the Hawks have developed to this point.
The downside would require nuanced tinkering to repair. And it’s not going to be simple to execute.