The Blackhawks' Tyler Bertuzzi is on a mission to find consistency in his game, and he's turning to coach Jeff Blashill for guidance. Bertuzzi, known for his streaky performances, wants to avoid the extreme highs and lows that characterized his previous seasons.
Last year, he experienced a remarkable 15-point streak (with 9 goals) in just 17 games, followed by a dry spell of only 6 points (no goals) over the next 18 games. This season, he aims to maintain a steady production throughout, and Blashill is determined to help him achieve that.
"He's had some wild fluctuations, where he gets on a hot streak and then goes cold for extended periods," Blashill explained. "We're monitoring this closely and will analyze the reasons behind any lulls. Is it a lack of net presence or shot volume? We're keeping a close eye on it."
One month into the season, Bertuzzi has shown impressive productivity under Blashill's guidance. However, the question remains: Is this his new consistent level, or just another temporary hot streak?
At 30 years old, Bertuzzi has 14 points in 15 games so far, including an explosive 6-goal performance in his last 3 games. His renewed chemistry with Connor Bedard on the power play has earned him a promotion to Bedard's line during five-on-five play.
"I'll probably seek Jeff's help if I go scoreless for 8 games," Bertuzzi joked. "But I try to stay level-headed. Everyone experiences slumps, so I'll stick to the program and keep pushing."
The key to Bertuzzi's success lies in his ability to score tap-ins and deflections around the net. With a 28.1% shooting percentage, he's proving that his scoring methods are not just a fluke. Last season, he shot at an impressive 17.6%, well above the league average.
"He's mastered the art of building a wall at the back post," Blashill observed. "When players shoot for that area, it often results in a goal. It's a brilliant strategy."
Looking at former Blackhawks players, Philipp Kurashev has been a standout for the Sharks, exceeding expectations just like the Hawks. Kurashev is averaging nearly 18 minutes per game and has already tallied 10 points in 15 games, surpassing his total from last season. It's great to see him thriving in a top-six role.
Seth Jones, now with the Panthers, is still searching for his first goal of the season, despite maintaining a heavy workload similar to his time with the Hawks. The Panthers have had a disappointing start due to injuries.
Taylor Hall continues to be a consistent secondary playmaker for the Hurricanes, while TJ Brodie, Craig Smith, and Andreas Athanasiou have all left the league, although none have officially retired.
The Hawks' success this season can be attributed to the exceptional performances of Bedard and Knight, but Blashill's coaching contributions should not be overlooked. His strategies, like promoting Bedard and leveraging the skills of Levshunov and Burakovsky, have paid dividends for the team's power play.
As the season progresses, it will be intriguing to see if Bertuzzi can maintain his current level of production and if Blashill's coaching will continue to propel the Blackhawks forward. What do you think? Is Bertuzzi's hot streak here to stay, or will he experience another lull? Share your thoughts in the comments!
