After a rough start to the season, the Chicago Blackhawks finally found a rhythm that matters. The team had a 1-5 start, but the 5-3 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins offered a clear path forward. The biggest shift came on special teams, a unit that had been struggling mightily before this matchup. According to Blackhawk Up, the Blackhawks’ power play had only scored once in 14 tries leading into the game.
That lone goal came from Sam Rinzel during the home opener against the St. Louis Blues. The team’s power play success rate sat at a dismal 7.1 percent, which ranked 31st in the entire NHL. Those numbers were a major worry for fans watching the team stumble early. However, the victory against Pittsburgh showed that the group can still score when things click. The win against the Penguins proves the team can beat top-tier opponents if they fix these specific issues.
Byram sees the light
Defenseman Bowen Byram knows the team has faced bad luck alongside poor execution. He spoke about the frustration of early losses, including a moment against the Carolina Hurricanes where a broken stick led to a goal against. Byram told Blackhawk Up that he thinks it is no secret the team has not played well so far. Sometimes a bounce or a click is needed to escape that slump, he observed.
Byram highlighted the broken stick incident as a prime example of things going wrong. He believes the team must keep working even when things feel stacked against them. The hope is that this win will be the turning point they have been waiting for. If the team can maintain this energy, the bad luck should start to fade. Byram’s honesty about the struggles shows the players are aware of the gap they need to close.
Rinzel and Frondell lead the way
Sam Rinzel was happy with the special teams performance and sees a brighter future ahead. He told Blackhawk Up that it feels good to finally get things working. Rinzel mentioned that having Connor Bedard back soon will help the power play even more. He believes that once the guys are in the right spots and playing off instincts, good things will happen. Rinzel stressed that winning the special teams battle can help the team win a lot of games.
Young center Anton Frondell also stepped up in a huge way against the Penguins. Following the game, he led the rookie leaderboard in points and assists. Frondell logged two assists and was tasked with facing off against the Sidney Crosby line all evening. His line scored two goals while allowing two, showing they can hold their own against the best. On his wings, Frondell has developed strong chemistry with Tyler Bertuzzi and Teuvo Teravainen.
The stats show Frondell is making a real impact early in the season. In seven games, he has one goal, five assists, and six points. He ranks first in faceoffs won among rookie skaters and second in time on ice behind Roman Kantserov. Against Pittsburgh, Frondell won 14 of 23 faceoffs, with most coming against Crosby. From 30.2 percent last year, his faceoff winning percentage rose to 45.7 percent this season. Head coach Jeff Blashill has earned the trust of Frondell to play in all scenarios.
This win proves the Blackhawks have the pieces to succeed if they stay consistent. The special teams unit is no longer a liability but a potential weapon. With Frondell stepping up and Rinzel leading the charge, the team looks ready to climb the standings.