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We are now ten games into the 2024/25 Chicago Blackhawks season, and things are feeling pretty close to what it was like last season at this point. The team is still near the bottom of the league like they were last year, but are things as bad or worse than they were at this point last season? Let's compare seasons and see what we can take away from the numbers.
Record and Opponents
Through ten games last year, the Hawks had a record of 4-6, with their four wins coming against the Penguins, Maple Leafs, Golden Knights, and Panthers. Their losses came against the Bruins twice, the Canadians, the Avalanche, the Golden Knights, and the Coyotes.
Through ten games this year, the Hawks have a 3-6-1 record, with their wins coming against the Oilers, Sharks, and Avalanche. Their regulation losses have come against the Utah Flames, Sabres, Canucks, Predators, and Stars. Their lone overtime loss came against the Jets.
Both starts had wins over teams who were/are pushing for playoff positioning and losses against teams they on paper should be losing to. The thing that stands out to me in terms of difference is the 2023 loss to the Coyotes (8-1) and the 2024 win against the Sharks (4-2). The Hawks have a history of playing down to their opponent, and that’s exactly what the game last year against the Yotes was. Looking for growth between seasons, you get your first example with their win over the Sharks; they came out knowing they were the better team, and they played that way for the majority of the game. Sure, they had their moments where you were left scratching your head, but never did they seem like they were going to lose to a worse team.
Goals for and Goals Against
The 23/24 Hawks through ten games had scored 24 goals for a 2.40 goals per game average and allowed 34 goals against for 3.40 goals against per game average.
This year’s team has scored 27 goals for a 2.70 goals per game average and allowed 33 for 3.30 goals against per game average.
The difference is small, but the team is still improving on scoring with the 4 goal increase. The addition of Teuvo Teravainen to this team, giving Bedard a legitimate linemate to play with, has been paying off early, as Bedard is off to a better start offensively at 9 points compared to last year’s 7 points. Guys like Seth Jones, who has also reaped the benefits of having more offensive weapons and has seen an increase in powerplay points in the early part of this season. What was a big stat in my mind was the team's High Danger Chances. Last year, through 10 games, they only managed to get 65 HDSCF, and what's worse is they only capitalized on 3 of them. This season they have managed 77 HDSCF and have converted 12 of them into goals. The team is working harder to put themselves in the best scoring situation possible and doing a better job taking advantage of the situations. These numbers absolutely need to get better, but the improvement is there.
Defensively, this year's team would like to see bigger improvements in terms of the defensive game, and while it’s a small number, the team is technically seeing improvements, allowing one less goal this year. Looking at the high-danger scoring chances the Hawks have dealt with through ten games. Last year they had 98 HDSCA and allowed 13 goals against from those chances created by their opponents. This year that number is down to 89, but the goals against remain the same at 13. Again, it’s not the biggest difference in the world, but the fact that it is improving is a positive sign. This team to start the year is becoming much harder to play against, forcing their opponents to work hard for every chance they get.
Shots for and Against
Through ten games last season, the team had averaged 26.2 shots for and 34.8 shots against.
Through ten games this season, the team has averaged 28.1 shots for and 29.1 shots against.
Perfect world, you are averaging more shots than allowing, but to see the number become almost even is a fantastic sign. It touches back on what I talked about in goals for and against; the team is working hard to get to the net and toss pucks on net and shutting down their opponents.
Special Teams
Last year, the Hawks had a powerplay percentage of 11.1 and a penalty kill percentage of 84.9.
This year they currently have a powerplay percentage of 21.1 and a penalty kill percentage of 77.4.
I mean, the night and day difference having a solid first unit can make it unbelievable. What makes this powerplay even better this year is Seth Jones willingness to use Bedard. Last season it just always seemed like he was looking Bedard off and forcing shots instead of making the smart pass, but that isn’t the case this year. What is also making a positive difference this year is the emergence of Alex Vlasic quarterbacking the second unit with confidence. Already a solid defensive player, he has been showing more of his offensive mind this year, and it's translating well to the PP2 unit.
The PK is off to a struggle compared to last season, but they have taken 2 fewer penalties thus year, with 31 compared to last year’s 33. The team just needs to tighten it up and get the correct combos out there, and things will come together.
There are more advanced stats that could be gone through to really breakdown the difference between this year’s team and last years. However, the stats I talked about I feel are some of the stats that the majority of fans will care about and truly understand. Based on that, this team is improving and taking the next step towards playing full hockey. Its not giant leaps, but they are steps, and it is also showing that the blue print is there. Now its just a matter of the players continuing to play smarter hockey and build the culture that is going to attract the type of guys the Hawks need to be a Cup contender once more.
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