Chicago Blackhawks: Punchless Power Play Brought into Focus in Loss to Canucks

The Chicago Blackhawks were taught a lesson in how the power play works by way of a 6-2 Sunday spanking delivered by the visiting Vancouver Canucks.

In front of the United Center crowd, Chicago racked up 24 minutes in penalties. The Canucks made them pay.

In case the 'Hawks still aren't aware of it, here's how it works. A team commits an infraction. The other team gets a man advantage. The team with the extra man puts the puck in the net.

Chicago was fruitless in five such opportunities. Vancouver had capitalized four times in five attempts by the end of the second period. You could point to the Blackhawks coming out unready to deal with the Canucks, but the difference in the contest was right there for all to see.

Vancouver was 5-for-6 on the power play. The 'Hawks were 0-for-5. 'Nuff said.

The Blackhawks are now 5-for-53 with the man advantage after 14 games. The success rate sits at a paltry 9.43 percent. The only teams that connect less frequently right now are the Columbus Blue Jackets and the St. Louis Blues, who host Chicago Tuesday night.

Duncan Keith has been out of the lineup for three games, sure. However, it isn't like the power play was firing on all cylinders with him. Joel Quenneville has tried mixing up the lineups and throwing out some unlikely names on the ice for five-on-four time, to no avail.

Chicago still is near the top of the conference standings. They seem to have the personnel to be effective with a man up. The 'Hawks have been able to get off to a solid start this season despite being less than adequate in this area. Still, there is reason for concern.

Thanks to the Blackhawks, Vancouver has six more power play goals than any other team in the NHL right now. When you allow a team to come to your building and put up as many power play goals as you've potted all season, the problem is quickly brought into focus.