Opinion
3 min read

Will the Chicago Blackhawks Overpower the San Jose Sharks in Upcoming Home Game?

As the Chicago Blackhawks prepare to host the San Jose Sharks at United Center, fans are eager to see if their team can capitalize on their recent performance. The upcoming game on March 17th promises to be a significant one for both teams, but particularly for the Blackhawks who have shown a mix of formidable powerplay and resilience in recent outings.


Jan 16, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Nikita Zaitsev (22) moves the puck against San Jose Sharks left wing William Eklund (72) during the first period at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports

Looking back at their last game against Arizona Coyotes on March 6th, the Blackhawks demonstrated an impressive offensive display with a 16 percent shooting success rate and netting four powerplay goals out of five opportunities. This kind of efficiency on special teams could be a deciding factor against the Sharks. Moreover, with 27 hits and a total of 32 shots taken during that game, it's clear that when they're firing on all cylinders, they can dominate possession and create scoring chances.


However, it wasn't all smooth sailing for CHI; despite winning against Arizona Coyotes with five goals to two, they had a minus-five plus-minus rating which indicates some defensive vulnerabilities that need addressing. The team will need to tighten up defensively while maintaining their offensive prowess if they want consistent success.


Jan 16, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; San Jose Sharks left wing Fabian Zetterlund (20) chases the puck against the Chicago Blackhawks during the third period at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports

The previous encounter with Colorado Avalanche paints a less favorable picture as CHI failed to score any goals despite taking 37 shots in that match-up. Their inability to convert opportunities into points was starkly evident as they lost by five goals without reply. This shutout loss should serve as motivation for them to come out stronger against SJ.


In contrast, SJ has been less consistent in their performances but cannot be underestimated. They will enter United Center aiming for an upset and looking to exploit any gaps in CHI's armor.


Jan 16, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; San Jose Sharks center Ryan Carpenter (22) reacts after scoring against the Chicago Blackhawks during the third period at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports

For this upcoming clash at home ice where fan support is always fervent, CHI must leverage its powerplay advantage while shoring up defense lines from lessons learned during past games – especially considering how evenly matched faceoff win percentages were between them and Columbus Blue Jackets during their March 3rd encounter which ended unfavorably for CHI.


The scheduled date is fast approaching; fans can catch this exciting matchup live from United Center or tune into ESPN+ or NBCS-CHI networks at precisely 5:00 PM Central Time Zone on Saturday evening. With high stakes involved and both teams eager for victory, this is one game you won't want to miss!

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