Blackhawks Breakthrough in Shootout Thriller Against Capitals
A turning point came on Thursday during a practice shootout where Blackhawks captain Nick Foligno scored, prompting coach Jeff Blashill to give him the nod in a real shootout situation. The gamble paid off as Foligno sealed the deal with the game-winning shot in Saturday's 3-2 overtime victory against the Washington Capitals.
Foligno's newfound confidence was palpable as he went from being 0-for-13 in his career to scoring in a critical shootout round. His teammates' trust in him, coupled with Blashill's decision-making, created an environment where Foligno felt liberated to succeed.
Blashill credited Foligno for overcoming the psychological barriers associated with shootouts, saying he has developed a mindset of simply going for it and seeing what happens. The coach also praised his team's overall performance, citing improvements in their zone identity and decision-making during high-pressure situations.
The Blackhawks' recent resurgence – 3-1-1 since Christmas – is largely attributed to adjustments made by Blashill to address the absence of key forwards Connor Bedard and Frank Nazar. By refining their game beyond just relying on the rush, they have become more balanced and predictable in their approach.
Fellow forward Andre Burakovsky also contributed with a crucial goal in the fifth round, keeping the Blackhawks alive before Foligno sealed the deal. The team's performance was bolstered by goaltender Spencer Knight's 32 saves, his most efficient effort in a while, as well as goalie coach's attitude towards facing Alex Ovechkin.
Knight attributed the win to the sweet taste of revenge against Ovechkin, having lost the previous meeting by one goal. As the Blackhawks continue their push for success, Foligno's newfound confidence and Blashill's strategic decisions will be crucial in propelling them forward as playoff contenders.
A turning point came on Thursday during a practice shootout where Blackhawks captain Nick Foligno scored, prompting coach Jeff Blashill to give him the nod in a real shootout situation. The gamble paid off as Foligno sealed the deal with the game-winning shot in Saturday's 3-2 overtime victory against the Washington Capitals.
Foligno's newfound confidence was palpable as he went from being 0-for-13 in his career to scoring in a critical shootout round. His teammates' trust in him, coupled with Blashill's decision-making, created an environment where Foligno felt liberated to succeed.
Blashill credited Foligno for overcoming the psychological barriers associated with shootouts, saying he has developed a mindset of simply going for it and seeing what happens. The coach also praised his team's overall performance, citing improvements in their zone identity and decision-making during high-pressure situations.
The Blackhawks' recent resurgence – 3-1-1 since Christmas – is largely attributed to adjustments made by Blashill to address the absence of key forwards Connor Bedard and Frank Nazar. By refining their game beyond just relying on the rush, they have become more balanced and predictable in their approach.
Fellow forward Andre Burakovsky also contributed with a crucial goal in the fifth round, keeping the Blackhawks alive before Foligno sealed the deal. The team's performance was bolstered by goaltender Spencer Knight's 32 saves, his most efficient effort in a while, as well as goalie coach's attitude towards facing Alex Ovechkin.
Knight attributed the win to the sweet taste of revenge against Ovechkin, having lost the previous meeting by one goal. As the Blackhawks continue their push for success, Foligno's newfound confidence and Blashill's strategic decisions will be crucial in propelling them forward as playoff contenders.
I'm not saying it was a bad idea, but... maybe we should all take a cue from Nick Foligno here? He went from being 0-for-13 to scoring in a shootout against the Capitals. Now, that's not saying he's suddenly going to change his game or anything, but it's kinda cool how he just went for it and nailed it. I mean, we've all been there when our instincts are telling us to try something crazy, right? 
And let's be real, some coaches would probably just bench you after one bad shootout... but not Jeff Blashill here! 
He seems to have a knack for getting the best out of his players. I'm not saying we should all start taking risks like Foligno in shootouts or anything... but it's definitely made me think that sometimes, just going with our gut can pay off. 
! 0-for-13 is crazy for a captain. I'm glad the team rallied around him and gave him more confidence. Blashill's coaching decisions are always on point, by the way 
. The Capitals were supposed to be a tough matchup but the Blackhawks came out on top. Foligno's game-winner was sick 
! Knight going 32 saves is insane too, hope he can keep that up 
. We're gonna see more of this resurgence from the Blackhawks as they make their push for the playoffs 
! nick foligno goin from 0-13 to score in shootout is a huge deal - it shows he's got the confidence now 
and blashill's trust in him is really payin off. but what's even more impressive is how they're balancin their game - they're not just relyin on the rush, they're playin with a zone identity that's hard to predict 
- 32 saves in a big win is huge for his team. this guy's on fire 
nick foligno is like a completely different player now 
and it's all because coach blashill trusted him enough to give him the nod 
The NHL is so unpredictable, I love how the Blackhawks were able to turn things around with a few key adjustments. It just goes to show that even in sports, it's all about confidence and team chemistry. Foligno stepping up in the shootout and scoring the game winner was incredible 
, they're definitely playing some great hockey now 
Meanwhile, Spencer Knight's 32 saves were like a superhero cape – saving the day one save at a time 
. And let's be real, Andre Burakovsky's goal in the fifth round was like the plot twist we never saw coming - it was like "Hey, I'm still a great forward!"