NHL Playoffs 2012: Blackhawks Abysmal Penalty Kill Needs to Improve

The playoff drama between the Chicago Blackhawks and Phoenix Coyotes has been pretty intense so far.

The Blackhawks were able to score last-second goals in back-to-back games to send them into overtime. The Hawks lost the first game, but were able to pick up the second in dramatic fashion.

While much can be said about the Blackhawks' improved play in Game 2, there was one major problem that needs to be addressed.

The Blackhawks' penalty kill has been terrible in their first two playoff games of the 2012 NHL playoffs. The Coyotes were able to score two power-play goals in Game 2 against a weak penalty-kill effort.

It's fair to say that the penalty killing in Game 2 won't get to much attention because of the outcome of the game. However, if the Blackhawks are unwilling to take a look back and improve upon some glaring weaknesses then a deep playoff run will soon slip away.

The 'Hawks' penalty kill has been horrible all season long with them ranking 27th overall. The 'Hawks couldn't have expected a vast improvement on the penalty kill, but anything would be better than the effort they have shown thus far.

Both of the power-play goals scored in Saturday's game had some glaring similarities. In both instances, a Coyote player was behind the defense and in front of goalie Corey Crawford.

Easy pickings for any hockey player when all he has to do is stand in front of the goaltender uncontested and wait for the puck to be shot in his direction. 

It would benefit Crawford if one of the defensemen went over to the crease and battled for positioning. At the very least try to push the Coyote player out of the crease so Crawford can get a clear look at the shot.

But if you watch the replays of the game you will notice that both Brent Seabrook and Niklas Hjalmarsson aren't paying any attention to the guy behind them. They are more concerned with trying to block the shot and preventing the goalie from having to make a save.

To blame Crawford for letting in two power-play goals would be foolish. Sure, he could make spectacular save after spectacular save, but it is important that the defenseman in front of him help clear the crease.

Letting a Coyotes player stand right in the crease without a challenge is a clear sign of bad strategy on the Blackhawks' part.

It's a problem that needs to be addressed by head coach Joel Quenneville before the Blackhawks find themselves in a deep hole.

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