How Blackhawks Can Beat Golden Knights in First Round of Stanley Cup Playoffs

The key to beating the Edmonton Oilers was simple: stay out of the penalty box and contain Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid at even strength. The execution part of it was challenging, but the Blackhawks were up to the task and eliminated the Oilers in four games to advance to the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

The key to beating the Vegas Golden Knights isn't so simple. And neither is executing a plan to do so.

The Golden Knights have always been a dominant possession team, ever since they entered the league in 2017-18. But this might be their most well-rounded group yet, which is saying something considering they reached the Stanley Cup Final in their first year of existence.

The Golden Knights ranked No. 1 this season in a variety of offensive categories at even strength, according to Sportlogiq and Natural Stat Trick:

Shot attempts from the slot (25.4)
Shots on goal from the slot (15.1)
Expected goals for per 60 minutes (2.81)
Scoring chances for per 60 minutes (31.1)
High-danger chances for per 60 minutes (12.7)

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The Golden Knights are as good as it gets when it comes to generating chances. That's a problem for the Blackhawks, who ranked 31st in the five defensive categories at even strength listed above:

Shot attempts from the slot against (25.7)
Shots on goal from the slot against (15.2)
Expected goals against per 60 minutes (2.84)
Scoring chances against per 60 minutes (30.1)
High-danger chances against per 60 minutes (13.0)

Unlike the Edmonton series, it will be extremely difficult for the Blackhawks to win the 5-on-5 battle. Which means the only way to beat the Golden Knights in a best-of-seven series is to capitalize on the few mistakes they make - all four lines must be clicking - and win the special teams battle.

The Golden Knights finished the regular season ranked No. 9 in power play percentage (22.0) and, most notably, No. 27 in penalty kill percentage (76.6). The Blackhawks were tied for No. 8 in penalty kill percentage (82.1) and 28th in power play percentage (15.2) but showed progress in the latter department by going 4-for-18 (22.2 percent) in four qualifying-round games.

When the Blackhawks get their power-play opportunities, they must take advantage of them. If they don't, it could be a quick series. If they do, and Corey Crawford is at his best, the Blackhawks have a fighter's chance against a Golden Knights team that's 8-1-0 and has a plus-15 goal differential all-time against Chicago.

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