Young Blackhawks Learn to Adapt to Subpar Performances
For NHL defensemen, like Alex Vlasic, it's a familiar feeling – the sudden loss of energy and sharpness in the middle of a game. Despite having a solid pre-game warmup, Vlasic can still find himself struggling to keep up with his team, wondering what hit him. This phenomenon, known as "not having your legs," is an unfortunate reality for many players.
Vlasic, 24, admitted that he often has sluggish starts before suddenly bursting into high gear, only to succumb to exhaustion later in the game. However, it's not just a matter of feeling tired; it can also be attributed to factors like injuries, illness, or travel fatigue.
To combat this issue, Blackhawks coach Jeff Blashill emphasizes the importance of playing "efficient hockey." This means relying on individual skills rather than forcing plays that may not come together. For example, instead of trying to create scoring opportunities with one player's speed, focus on utilizing each player's unique strengths and setting up efficient systems.
Blashill also stresses the need for players to avoid exacerbating mistakes by panicking when they don't feel their best. "If you're going to make mistakes in those games when you don't feel great, don't chase them," he advises. "Don't compound one mistake with another."
The Blackhawks' young roster is still learning how to navigate these challenges. Rookie forward Oliver Moore, who recently made his 24th appearance, acknowledged that there will be nights where he doesn't have his legs. However, he emphasized the importance of maintaining mental sharpness and focus.
"I have to be committed to the details of the game and doing the little things," Moore said. "Sometimes it means going out there and tying a shift." This mindset allows players like Moore to still contribute to their team's success even when they're not feeling 100%.
Veteran defenseman Connor Murphy added that it's essential for players to recognize that winning with an inferior performance is acceptable. "You can win with your 'B game'," he said. "That's just the nature of the game."
As the Blackhawks prepare for their second back-to-back set of the season, these lessons will be crucial in helping them overcome subpar performances and come out on top.
For NHL defensemen, like Alex Vlasic, it's a familiar feeling – the sudden loss of energy and sharpness in the middle of a game. Despite having a solid pre-game warmup, Vlasic can still find himself struggling to keep up with his team, wondering what hit him. This phenomenon, known as "not having your legs," is an unfortunate reality for many players.
Vlasic, 24, admitted that he often has sluggish starts before suddenly bursting into high gear, only to succumb to exhaustion later in the game. However, it's not just a matter of feeling tired; it can also be attributed to factors like injuries, illness, or travel fatigue.
To combat this issue, Blackhawks coach Jeff Blashill emphasizes the importance of playing "efficient hockey." This means relying on individual skills rather than forcing plays that may not come together. For example, instead of trying to create scoring opportunities with one player's speed, focus on utilizing each player's unique strengths and setting up efficient systems.
Blashill also stresses the need for players to avoid exacerbating mistakes by panicking when they don't feel their best. "If you're going to make mistakes in those games when you don't feel great, don't chase them," he advises. "Don't compound one mistake with another."
The Blackhawks' young roster is still learning how to navigate these challenges. Rookie forward Oliver Moore, who recently made his 24th appearance, acknowledged that there will be nights where he doesn't have his legs. However, he emphasized the importance of maintaining mental sharpness and focus.
"I have to be committed to the details of the game and doing the little things," Moore said. "Sometimes it means going out there and tying a shift." This mindset allows players like Moore to still contribute to their team's success even when they're not feeling 100%.
Veteran defenseman Connor Murphy added that it's essential for players to recognize that winning with an inferior performance is acceptable. "You can win with your 'B game'," he said. "That's just the nature of the game."
As the Blackhawks prepare for their second back-to-back set of the season, these lessons will be crucial in helping them overcome subpar performances and come out on top.
I mean, think about it... we all go through those phases where we feel like we're not at our best, you know? Like, maybe we haven't been sleeping well or haven't had the best food, but we still gotta push through. It's like, what if "not having your legs" is just a metaphor for life itself? We can't control everything that happens to us, but we can control how we respond.
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. But seriously, I think it's awesome that the young Blackhawks are learning to adapt to those tough games. I mean, who hasn't been there, right? 
It's all about finding that balance between effort and exhaustion. And let's be real, sometimes you just have to tie a shift 
️. The key is staying focused on the little things, like defense and passing – not exactly the most glamorous stuff, but trust me, it's what wins games! 
it's like they're trying to find their rhythm all over again, you know? i mean, it's easy to get caught up in the pressure of performing well and losing focus, but coach blashill is right on point with his "efficient hockey" strategy. it's all about using each player's strengths and not getting too stressed when things aren't going as planned. AND I LOVE HOW OLIVER MOORE IS FOCUSED ON DOING THE LITTLE THINGS TO HELP HIS TEAM, EVEN WHEN HE'S NOT FEELING 100%! 
. It's like they're stuck in a rut and can't seem to get their game going no matter how hard they try 
. But you know what, it's all part of the learning process right? And it's awesome that coach Blashill is teaching them about playing "efficient hockey" 
- like, using each player's strengths and setting up systems that work. It's not just about individual skill, but also about making smart decisions on the ice 
. It's all about perspective, you know?
like who hasn't had a night where they're just "meh" and can barely skate 
anyway, coaches need to give these youngins some actual advice that's not just "play efficient hockey" what does that even mean? 
. It's all about using each player's strengths and setting up systems that work. And let's be real, sometimes you just need to tie a shift and not overthink it 
. These young players are already struggling with "not having their legs" and it's like they're expected to perform magic 
. I mean, can't they just get a decent night's sleep before a game?! 
It's not like they're going up against some superhuman opponent.
. Can't we just talk about how to actually improve the gameplay instead of these fancy buzzwords? 