The Chicago Blackhawks’ power play has hit a wall-and it’s not just a cold streak, it’s a full-on freeze. Over their last 12 games, the Hawks have gone just 1-for-33 on the man advantage.
That’s not a typo. One goal in 33 opportunities.
For a team that once boasted a top-10 power play earlier this season, this kind of drop-off is more than noticeable-it’s a flashing red light.
Let’s rewind a bit. Back when Connor Bedard was healthy-before his injury on December 12-the Blackhawks’ power play was humming along at a 22.2% clip, good for 10th in the NHL.
Since then? They’ve plummeted to 20th overall with a 19.1% conversion rate.
And that number is padded by early-season success. The recent stretch has been brutal.
The Numbers Behind the Slump
So, what’s gone wrong? The short answer: regression and predictability.
The long answer? Let’s dig in.
According to Natural Stat Trick, the Hawks are dead last in the league in expected goals share on the power play at 86.13%. That’s a fancy way of saying they’re not generating high-quality chances.
Even earlier in the season, when they were ranked 10th, their expected goals rate was still near the bottom at 82.51%. What changed was their shooting percentage-they were converting at a blistering 20% clip, fourth-best in the league.
That’s since dropped to 15.98%, which is still decent (11th overall), but not enough to carry a power play that isn’t generating dangerous looks.
Their goals per 60 minutes on the man advantage have also dipped-from 8.77 (eighth in the league) before Bedard’s injury to 7.1 now, which ranks 19th. That’s the regression kicking in. They were overachieving early, and now the numbers are catching up.
Where Are the High-Danger Chances?
The Blackhawks rank 28th in high-danger chances per 60 minutes on the power play. That’s a glaring issue.
A look at heat maps from HockeyViz shows exactly where their chances are coming from-or more accurately, where they’re not coming from. The right circle was Bedard’s office.
The net-front? That’s been Tyler Bertuzzi’s territory.
Not coincidentally, those two are the team’s leaders in power play production-Bertuzzi with nine goals and 17 points, Bedard with six goals and 15 points.
Without Bedard, the Hawks are missing their most dynamic shooter and playmaker on the power play. His ability to shift between roles-whether as the weak-side sniper or the strong-side distributor-gave the unit a level of unpredictability. Bertuzzi’s been effective in the gritty areas, but without Bedard drawing attention and creating space, his opportunities have dried up too.
Breaking Down the 1-3-1
Like most NHL teams, the Blackhawks run a 1-3-1 formation on the power play. It’s a structure that relies on crisp puck movement and defined roles:
- Point: A playmaking defenseman-recently, that’s been Artyom Levshunov.
- Flanks: One side (usually Bedard) is the shooter; the other is typically a playmaker.
- Net-front: Bertuzzi has been the go-to here, screening the goalie and cleaning up rebounds.
- Bumper: A versatile player in the slot, often tasked with quick shots and puck retrieval.
Bedard could handle both flank roles, giving the Hawks flexibility. Bertuzzi has thrived around the crease. Frank Nazar has seen some time in the bumper spot, but mostly on the second unit.
Then there’s Levshunov. He’s had a rollercoaster of a season at the point.
At times, he looks hesitant-over-deferential to Bedard when he was active-and his shot selection has been questionable. He often fires low-percentage shots right into the goalie’s chest.
These aren’t the types of shots that create rebounds or chaos-they’re just wasted possessions. That said, he’s also flashed moments of brilliance, showing off his skill with the puck and ability to finish when he’s in rhythm.
Entry Issues
Execution on zone entries has been another major problem. The Hawks, like many teams, rely on a drop-pass entry system.
The defenseman carries the puck up ice and drops it back to a forward who’s building speed through the neutral zone. The idea is to gain the blue line with momentum and then set up in the offensive zone.
In theory, it works. In practice? Not so much for Chicago.
Their entries are sluggish. There’s a lack of urgency, and Levshunov’s passes, in particular, have been robotic and predictable.
Opposing penalty kills are reading the play and setting up a wall at the blue line. Without clean entries, the Hawks are left chasing the puck and wasting precious seconds trying to regain possession.
And since they’re not winning many faceoffs, they can’t rely on draws to set up either.
So, What’s Next?
The Blackhawks have the personnel to run a competent power play. Bedard’s return would obviously be a massive boost, but even without him, there’s enough talent to be better than 1-for-33. The issue isn’t just personnel-it’s execution, urgency, and adaptability.
The best power plays in the league don’t just rely on talent-they exploit structure. They force penalty kills to make tough decisions.
Edmonton creates 2-on-1s down low with McDavid and Draisaitl. Dallas funnels pucks to Mikko Rantanen and surrounds him with support.
Vegas leans on Jack Eichel to orchestrate from the wall while Mark Stone causes havoc near the crease.
The Blackhawks need to find their version of that. Whether it’s retooling the entry strategy, simplifying the puck movement, or redefining roles in Bedard’s absence, something has to change. Because right now, the power play isn’t just struggling-it’s hurting their chances to stay competitive.
And in a season where development and progress are key, that’s a problem they can’t afford to ignore.