NHL Playoffs 2012: 5 Changes the Chicago Blackhawks Need to Make in Game 2

One game in the books and the Chicago Blackhawks trail in this best-of-seven series.

Game 1 between the Phoenix Coyotes and Chicago Blackhawks offered a bunch of hits, lots of gritty plays and a few goals.

Unfortunately most of this was by the Yotes and not the Hawks.

But what was most evident Thursday was the Blackhawks' lack of possession of the puck, especially in their own zone.

The Blackhawks lost Game 1 not because of a missed too-many-men-on-the-ice penalty, but because of the way they played in their defensive zone.

Too many times this season have the Hawks given up the puck with a bad pass or a risky play right in the crease. 

Regardless, the Blackhawks have many areas in their play that needs to be tightened up before Game 2 on Saturday night.

These are the top five changes that the Blackhawks need to make heading into Game 2.

Power Play

The Blackhawks' power play during the regular season was forgettable. That continued to show in Game 1 against the Yotes as the Blackhawks went 0-for-4 on the power play.

This needs to change if the Blackhawks plan on winning this series or any series after for that matter.

Credit Phoenix goaltender Mike Smith for his stellar play in net but the Blackhawks really need to grasp the root as to why their power play has become an embarrassment.

I'm tired of watching them get stuck in the neutral zone and then turn the puck over so the Yotes can shoot it back down the ice. 

Tighter passes and more practice on a decent power play breakout will go a long way for a team as talented as the Hawks.

Faceoffs

The Blackhawks lost 57 percent of their faceoffs in Game 1, even with Jonathan Toews back in the lineup.

Granted Toews is a little rusty after missing 22 games, but the Blackhawks must improve their faceoff win percentage as this series progresses. It is imperative that they command the puck right off the puck drop.

Being able to command the puck is what the Blackhawks do so well in their game; winning the faceoff is crucial to their game plan. 

Regardless, fix the faceoff issue and the Blackhawks will be able to put the Coyotes on the defensive rather than handing them another offensive opportunity.

Turnovers

Simply put, the Blackhawks gave the puck up way too much in Game 1.

Many of these turnovers were forced and led to great offensive opportunities for the Coyotes.

Whatever the problem may be, the Blackhawks have to work harder along the boards and be a little more careful in playing the puck down low in their own zone.

Blackhawks head coach Joel Quenneville said that the Hawks were caught flat footed:

"

We had turnover trouble there. We got caught standing still with the puck. We didn’t advance it. We had some long shifts in our end and got a tired group a couple times.

"

Tighten up neutral-zone passes and work hard along the boards are the keys to being successful and not turning over the puck.

Playoff Intensity

The playoffs present a different type of hockey game than in the regular season.

The stakes are higher, the players are pumped and the Stanley Cup is up to be won. Yet the Blackhawks looked a little sluggish in Game 1.

Chicago was caught standing still on the ice and making some sloppy line changes that required a stellar save from goalie Corey Crawford.

It's time this changed. Put the game plan as the center focus and bring as much intensity as possible to the game. Start off fighting and get the energy moving on the bench.

The Blackhawks need to play a little more grittier and more physical along the boards, and assert themselves to winning more faceoffs. Most of all they need to put their game faces on and switch to "playoff" mode.

The time is now; the Blackhawks need the take advantage of the situation.

More Traffic in Front of the Net

The Blackhawks were able to get 45 shots on goalie Mike Smith, a majority of them coming from the perimeter.

This is how the Coyotes are going to play the Blackhawks; they are going to keep them to the outside and force them to shoot the puck.

It will be imperative that the Blackhawks get more traffic in front of Smith in order to block his vision of the puck. One or even two players will have to battle for position in front of Smith.

As long as the Coyotes clog up the slot area, the Hawks will have to take advantage of the outside. More net presence and a wicked slap shot is bound to elude Smith.

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