NHL Playoffs 2012: 5 Ways to Fix the Blackhawks Power Play

The Chicago Blackhawks are lucky to be tied in their first-round series against the Phoenix Coyotes.

Lucky because both games required the Hawks to score last-minute goals in order to send them to overtime. The Hawks lost Game 1 on a deflection by Martin Hanzal, and they won Game 2 when Bryan Bickell sent the puck past Mike Smith.

In both of those games, the Hawks had numerous power play chances of which they have only capitalized on one of them.

The Hawks' lack of special teams offensive could have very well cost the them a 2-0 series lead and could end up costing them this series outright.

These are the top five ways to fix the Blackhawks' power play.

Crash the Net

Phoenix goaltender Mike Smith is going to stop the puck when he has clear vision of it. 

That is why the Blackhawks need to get more people in front of Smith, to block his vision and cause havoc when the puck reaches the crease.

Fighting for positioning in the crease will only help block the vision of Smith which will allow the Hawks more prime scoring opportunities. 

It is important that the Hawks know how to score an "ugly" goal every now and then.

It's the only way to get the puck past Smith in this series, and it's a way that the Blackhawks must become comfortable with in order to take this series.

Patrick Kane

It's no secret that Patrick Kane is the heart and soul of the Blackhawks' power play.

His ability to move the puck around and pass to teammates is nearly unmatched in the NHL. Kane is a big reason that the Hawks get the opportunities that they do when on the power play.

While Kane has an uncanny ability to move the puck around, it might benefit the Hawks more if he had a shoot-first, pass-later mentality.

A lot of other teams understand that Kane wants to pass the puck to his teammates, so they set up and defend him as such. If Kane were to shoot more he would become a more C player on the power play.

Offensive-Zone Entry

Too many times have the Hawks failed to get into their offensive zone when on the power play.

They turn the puck over as soon as they try to cross the blue line, and it results in another 15 seconds taken off the power play.

Dumping the puck more might be out of the question as goalie Mike Smith is considered one of the best in the NHL at going behind the net.

But whatever the solution might be for a clean-cut power play entry, the Blackhawks have to find it in order to have any success.

Hit the Net

More often than not the Blackhawks' defensemen miss the net when they shoot on a power play. 

It has become more than just a one-time thing as this happens at least once every game.

When Duncan Keith has a chance to shoot, he misses the net by a couple feet, and the same can be said for a few others on the back end.

Crashing the net only works if the Hawks and the back end can shoot the puck at the net; it's the only way that they play works.

Time to practice some shooting drills on the blue line and hope for better accuracy on the power play. 

Win Board Battles

Winning board battles is essential to not only scoring on the power play but also to winning playoff games.

The Blackhawks have to collect the puck and fight off the opposition at a more consistent rate than what they have shown.

If they are going to dump the puck into the offensive zone more often on the power play, then it is essential that they can skate to collect it as well. 

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