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Will the Blackhawks Soar or Capitals Dominate at Capital One Arena?

As the Chicago Blackhawks prepare to face off against the Washington Capitals at Capital One Arena, fans are eager to see if their team can turn recent trends around. The Blackhawks have had a challenging stretch in their last three games, with two overtime losses and one regulation loss.


Dec 10, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Washington Capitals defenseman John Carlson (74) warms up against the Chicago Blackhawks before the game at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Bartel-USA TODAY Sports

Analyzing their performance reveals some areas of concern but also potential strengths. In terms of scoring, they've been consistent, netting two goals in each game. However, converting on powerplay opportunities has been a struggle; they scored on only one out of five chances across these matches.


Defensively, there's room for improvement as well. The Blackhawks allowed an average of three goals per game during this span and will need to tighten up against a Capitals team that can exploit any lapses.


Dec 10, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Washington Capitals defenseman John Carlson (74) plays the puck against the Chicago Blackhawks during the first period at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Bartel-USA TODAY Sports

Faceoffs have been nearly even for Chicago with win percentages hovering around 50 percent in each contest. This aspect could be crucial for controlling the game's pace and maintaining possession against Washington.


One positive trend is shot blocking; the Blackhawks blocked 22 shots against Detroit and 20 versus Philadelphia – showing a willingness to sacrifice the body for team success.


Dec 10, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard (98) plays the puck as Washington Capitals defenseman Trevor van Riemsdyk (57) defends during the third period at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Bartel-USA TODAY Sports

The upcoming match presents an opportunity for Chicago to rebound from these setbacks and showcase resilience on enemy ice. Fans should look out for whether the Blackhawks can leverage their shot-blocking tenacity into stronger defensive play overall while finding ways to ignite their powerplay unit.


The action unfolds on March 10th at Capital One Arena in Washington D.C., with broadcast options available on ESPN+ online or MNMT and NBCS-CHI+ television networks. Puck drop is scheduled at 7:00 PM Eastern Time – don't miss it!

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