Blackhawks Breakaway

Ep. 176: A dive inside the Blackhawks slow start with NHL Network’s Mike Kelly

Why has the Blackhawks power play struggled? What's behind Patrick Kane's lack of production? Can Robin Lehner keep up his great play? NHL Network's Mike Kelly joins Pat Boyle and Slavko Bekovic to take an analytical dive into the Blackhawks October numbers. 0:54 - The Blackhawks are giving up lots of rush chances but not generating them 2:22 - Should the Blackhawks dump-and-chase more?4:47 - Poor d-zone coverage leading to less puck possession6:53 - Can Robin Lehner sustain his hot start?9:44 - What is causing Patrick Kane's lack of production?11:32 - The numbers behind the Blackhawks' power play14:57 - What Adam Boqvist brings to the Blackhawks16:30 - Impressions of Kirby Dach through six games17:35 - How Mike Kelly would orchestrate the Blackhawks lines

Ep. 175: Emergency Podcast - Adam Boqvist is here and Kirby Dach is here for good

The future of the Blackhawks is now, as the Blackhawks recalled Adam Boqvist and announced Kirby Dach will be staying in the NHL all season. Pat Boyle, Charlie Roumeliotis and Slavko Bekovic discuss what Boqvist could bring to the table, how he may be used, and whether this is a message to Erik Gustafsson. Plus, could we see Boqvist and Dach on the power play soon?1:03 - Is Adam Boqvist here for good or just for a few games? 2:35 - How the Blackhawks will incorporate Boqvist4:28 - Is this a message being sent to Erik Gustafsson?5:40 - Breaking down potential blue line partners for Boqvist6:55 - The factors that went into keeping Kirby Dach8:47 - Does Dach deserve a role on the power play?9:57 - Clearing up the Brent Seabrook confusion11:33 - Does Colliton deserve credit for making tough decisions?

Ep. 174: Robin Lehner stepping up as Brent Seabrook and Blackhawks hit pressure point

As the Blackhawks hit the skids in Nashville, Robin Lehner has broken out as not only the team's number-one goaltender, but one of the vocal leaders in the dressing room and on the ice. Pat Boyle and Steve Konroyd break down the ugly loss to the Predators and just how good Lehner has been in net. Plus, Patrick Sharp dives into what's happening between the Blackhawks and Brent Seabrook after he was a healthy scratch for the second straight game.0:45 - Blackhawks never had a chance vs the Predators1:58 - Are the Blackhawks thinking too much on the ice? 4:26 - So...the power play hasn't scored in 20 chances6:33 - Should a shake-up come to the power play soon?8:31 - Could we see DeBrincat/Strome/Kane together...finally?!10:33 - How the Hawks have handled the Brent Seabrook situation13:17 - Patrick Sharp on Seabrook's future16:14 - Sharp impressed with the start to Kirby Dach's career17:04 - What is Sharpy's optimal top-six for the Hawks?18:14 - How difficult is Strome's transition from center to wing?19:05 - Is Robin Lehner separating himself in the goalie race?20:05 - Major injuries changing landscape of the Central Division? 21:14 - Sharpy talks about playing against Roman Josi22:07 - How the power play can help the Hawks 5-on-5 game

Ep. 173: Colliton calls out Blackhawks work-ethic in stinker vs Flyers

After a poor showing against the Flyers, Blackhawks head coach Jeremy Colliton had a strong message to his team as they wrapped up their seven-game homestand. Pat Boyle and Charlie Roumeliotis break down what went wrong and how the Blackhawks missed a big opportunity by starting the season on home ice.Plus, could there be some roster movement soon with Kirby Dach staying and Brendan Perlini potentially leaving?1:03 - Poor puck management to end the homestand3:34 - Jeremy Colliton calls out his team's work ethic4:32 - Is it time for Colliton to go to the line blender?7:11 - Looking at Patrick Kane and the power play units10:45 - Takeaways from the seven-game homestand12:26 - Kirby Dach proving he belongs in the NHL now15:15 - Brendan Perlini given opportunity to seek trade16:22 - Blackhawks face a tough-test vs. Carolina

Ep. 172: How should Blackhawks handle Kirby Dach’s future?

Should Kirby Dach see more ice time? What should the Blackhawks do with Erik Gustafsson? Has Robin Lehner separated himself in the goalie tandem? Patrick Sharp and Charlie Roumeliotis join Pat Boyle to discuss that and much more on the latest Blackhawks Talk Podcast. Plus, you'll hear Robin Lehner's postgame comments after the loss to the Golden Knights and why he thinks the Blackhawks are "really close" to putting it all together.1:08 - Blackhawks come up with best defensive effort of the season2:52 - Changes made to the power play units4:14 - Evaluating Erik Gustafsson's play so far6:04 - Who fills in after the Connor Murphy injury7:49 - Patrick Sharp remembers Patrick Kane rookie season9:08 - What does the future hold for Kirby Dach?12:04 - Struggles of the Blackhawks' top-six14:44 - Another strong performance by Robin Lehner16:33 - Lehner's strong post-game comments after Vegas loss20:07 - How to handle the goalie-split going forward23:25 - Biggest thing the Blackhawks need to improve upon

Ep. 171: Blackhawks scratch out a win and Kirby Dach recalled

Pat Boyle and Charlie Roumeliotis welcome Nick Gismondi into the fold before discussing Friday's win over Columbus. Robin Lehner played stellar and is forming quite a tandem in net with Corey Crawford (4:10), while the DeBrincat/Kane connection is alive and well (6:10), and the Blackhawks' struggles at even strength continued (12:10). Then, the guys react to the breaking news of Kirby Dach's recall from Rockford and discuss where he might fit into this lineup (15:10).

Ep. 170: Blackhawks show urgency vs. the undefeated

The Blackhawks finally got on the board for the season and did so in front of the 500th consecutive capacity crowd at the United Center. Pat Boyle, Jamal Mayers and Charlie Roumeliotis break down the impressive performance by the Blackhawks against the undefeated Edmonton Oilers and discuss how Jeremy Colliton’s message got through to Alex Nylander and the rest of the team. Plus, after an impressive performance in net, should Corey Crawford get the next game vs the Blue Jackets? And what does the future have in store for Kirby Dach? Jamal makes a bold prediction. 0:54 – Blackhawks finally show urgency in 2nd period2:47 – Penalty kill starting to show some life5:00 – Thoughts on the Shaw/Strome/Kane line6:43 – Hawks eliminating some defensive breakdowns9:23 – Big rebound performance from Corey Crawford11:36 – Colliton’s message to Alex Nylander got through15:21 – Brandon Saad has been a pleasant surprise early on17:15 – Dominik Kubalik’s impressive performance18:31 – Will Kirby Dach be with the Hawks all season?22:42 – Does Crawford or Lehner start vs the Blue Jackets?

Ep. 169: Sitdown with Ed Belfour

On this edition of the Blackhawks Talk Podcast Pat Boyle sits down with Blackhawks legend, former goaltender Ed Belfour. Belfour talks about the Hawks current goalie tandem, his time in the NHL with Chicago and his Stanley Cup, his new line of spirits and much more.0:00 - 1:35 - Belfour on Crawford/Lehner tandem1:36 - Belfour on starter/backup relationship2:32 - Belfour on relationship with his backups3:55 - Belfour on getting traded by Hawks4:16 - Belfour on winning Cup vs Dominik Hasek5:14 - Belfour on relationship with goalies from his era5:56 - Belfour on favorite Chicago moments7:19 - Belfour on favorite teammate in Chicago10:36 - Belfour on today's stars11:19 - Belfour on his "One More Shift" honor12:13 - Belfour on his new whisky business

Ep. 168: Who should starter home opener, Corey Crawford or Robin Lehner?

On the latest Blackhawks Talk Podcast, Pat Boyle, Charlie Roumeliotis and Slavko Bekovic put a bow on the Prague trip. What was the biggest on-ice takeaway from their season-opener vs. Philadelphia?The guys also discuss what's the deal with Calvin de Haan, the plan for Kirby Dach and how comfortable they are with the top line of Alex Nylander, Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane. They wrap up the show by answering your mailbag questions, including whether Corey Crawford or Robin Lehner should start in the home opener on Thursday, what the future holds for Erik Gustafsson and what line combinations they'd like to see.0:55 - Biggest takeaway on the ice from Prague1:52 - Importance of Alex DeBrincat signing2:40 - Atmosphere overseas5:00 - Third pairing and update on Calvin de Haan's status8:00 - What's the plan for Kirby Dach?11:45 - How comfortable are we with Nylander-Toews-Kane line?14:37 - Blackhawks give up too many scoring chances and high danger chances vs. Flyers15:27 - Who will be the Blackhawks' first call-up this season?16:45 - What does the future hold for Erik Gustafsson?21:40 - Is David Kampf slotted too high as third-line center?24:43 - If both goalies have strong play, could one be used as a trade piece?25:40 - Will the return of de Haan and Murphy be enough to plug holes on defense?28:37 - Who will start home opener: Crawford or Lehner?34:16 - What line combinations would you like to see?

Ep. 167: Instant reaction to the Blackhawks loss in Prague with Eddie Olczyk

On the latest Blackhawks Talk Podcast, Eddie Olczyk joins the podcast along with David Kaplan to talk about the team's uneven performance in Prague against the Flyers. What did Edzo think about Corey Crawford's performance and what does he think the Hawks can hang their hat on? Plus, Pat Boyle and Slavko Bekovic discuss where the Blackhawks go from here. Could we see Patrick Kane join Alex DeBrincat and Dylan Strome and who will get the start between the pipes for the home opener back in Chicago.0:32 - Are these the same old Blackhawks?3:23 - Blackhawks lacking depth on the blue line6:09 - What line should Patrick Kane be on?8:20 - The Kane-DeBrincat connection12:26 - Would Kirby Dach be on the fit on that 3rd line?14:32 - Evaluating Corey Crawford's performance16:45 - Who starts between the pipes for the home opener?19:38 - Eddie Olczyk joins the podcast20:05 - An uneven performance by the Blackhawks21:39 - Flyers deserve credit for limiting Hawks' forwards22:53 - How long will it take for the Hawks to mesh?24:01 - Edzo on how he would handle the goalie workload25:20 - The Blackhawks are never out of a game26:36 - DeBrincat's ceiling and what Edzo sees as his contract28:31 - Was Eddie Olczyk a selfish player - in a good way?