The Chicago Blackhawks may have just wrapped up a grueling stretch-three games in four nights-but there’s no rest for a team still searching for answers. Back on the ice Monday at Fifth Third Arena, the Hawks were all business, with a two-game road trip looming and a Central Division clash with the Minnesota Wild up first on Tuesday. And if there’s one thing that’s clear right now, it’s that Chicago needs to find some offense-and fast.
Let’s talk about the numbers. Eleven goals in their last seven games.
That includes an empty-netter from Connor Bedard, and it leaves them sitting 26th in the league in goals per game at 2.65. That’s not going to cut it, especially in a month where they’ve topped the three-goal mark just twice in 13 outings.
For a team with young talent and high-end skill, the lack of finish is becoming a real concern.
Head coach Jeff Blashill has kept a steady hand for much of the season, opting for consistency in his forward lines. But lately, that approach has given way to experimentation.
After another underwhelming performance Sunday against Florida, Blashill hit the shuffle button again. Monday’s practice featured yet another round of new line combinations-this time with a familiar face back in the fold.
Teuvo Teravainen, who’s been sidelined with an upper-body injury since Jan. 12, was a full participant for the first time in over two weeks. The 31-year-old is expected to return to the lineup Tuesday in Minnesota, and his timing couldn’t be better.
While his season has been far from flawless, it’s hard to ignore that the Hawks managed more than two goals just once in the six games without him. His return adds a layer of versatility and experience that this forward group desperately needs.
What’s especially intriguing is where Teravainen slotted in at practice-on a line with Connor Bedard. Despite being two of Chicago’s most skilled forwards, they’ve seen very little ice time together at even strength this season.
That could be changing. With the offense sputtering, now’s the time to see if there’s chemistry between the two.
One player who won’t be alongside Bedard-at least not for now-is Andre Burakovsky. The veteran winger has been mired in a slump, going eight games without a goal and posting just one assist in that span.
He’s been bumped to the third line, skating with Ryan Greene and Oliver Moore. It’s a clear message from Blashill: production matters, and if you’re not delivering, you’re moving down the lineup.
Moore, back at center after a brief stint on the wing, is part of a broader reshuffling that also saw Frank Nazar moved off his usual second-line center role. Nazar has been one of the more consistent presences down the middle this season, but on Monday, he was skating on the wing-next to Bedard. It’s a notable shift, and Tuesday will mark the first time the two young stars start a game on the same line.
Now, let’s be real: the early returns on Bedard and Nazar as a duo haven’t been pretty. In 22 minutes of five-on-five ice time together this season, the Hawks have been outshot 18-8 and outscored 3-0. But that’s a small sample size, and Blashill is ready to give the pairing a real chance to develop.
“[Connor and Frank] are our two most dynamic forwards,” Blashill said after practice. “What you hope, when you put lines together, is the sum is greater than the parts.
So can they be exponentially better as a pair? We hope so.”
The key now is patience. Blashill acknowledged he’s been quick to change lines in recent games, but this time, he’s planning to let things breathe. “I’ll probably just stay with it through the next three games and see how it goes,” he added.
As for Burakovsky, Blashill didn’t shy away from discussing the winger’s recent struggles. The issue isn’t effort-if anything, it might be too much of it.
“He wants to do great. He’s probably one of those guys, when it’s not going right, can almost over-try.
Honestly, then it goes worse,” Blashill said.
It’s a classic case of a playmaker pressing too hard. Burakovsky thrives when he’s creating, but lately, he’s been forcing plays that aren’t there, leading to turnovers and missed opportunities.
The message from the coaching staff is clear: find the balance. Make plays, yes-but don’t be reckless.
Sometimes the best play is the safe one, the one that lets you live to fight another shift.
So, with the Wild up next, the Blackhawks are rolling out new lines, welcoming back a key veteran, and giving their two brightest young stars a chance to build something together. It’s not a reset, but it’s definitely a recalibration. And with the offense stuck in neutral, it’s the kind of shake-up that might just spark something.