Explore how the Chicago Blackhawks can improve their neutral zone forecheck in 2025 under coach Jeff Blashill’s strategy.
Jeff Blashill and the Chicago Blackhawks cannot be passive in 2025. If the defensive zone is where the Blackhawks can limit scoring chances and the breakout is where the Blackhawks’ creativity can shine, the neutral zone is where games will be won or lost. Here’s what head coach Jeff Blashill can do with neutral zone forechecks.
The 2024 Chicago Blackhawks Neutral Zone Forecheck
Last season, the Blackhawks utilized a conservative 1-2-2 NZ forecheck while Luke Richardson was head coach. When Anders Sorensen took over, he switched to a 2-1-2 but resorted to a 1-2-2 when they held a lead.
However, the Blackhawks were too passive on the NZ forecheck. According to All Three Zones, they had the fourth-worst “carries against” rate in the NHL — 35 per 60. The Blackhawks rarely pinched, gave up the blueline, and sheltered in the defensive zone. No one likes turtle hockey.
Basic example of a 1-2-2 NZ forecheck. F1 shapes the play, F3 pressures the puck carrier, and F2 covers the middle.
Blackhawks Forechecking Evidence
Alex Vlasic’s reach is one of his best tools. He faced a high amount of defensive zone entries (62.1%) but had an above-average entry denial rate (10.2%, league average was 9.4%). Post the Seth Jones era, Vlasic’s most common partner was Louis Crevier. He took advantage of Vlasic’s shutdown abilities and was one of the Blackhawks’ riskiest defenders at the blueline, according to All Three Zones’ chart below.
2025 Chicago Blackhawks 5v5 DZ entry defense, from All Three Zones.
Crevier created more work for Vlasic by pinching in the NZ, but Vlasic was there to provide backup.
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Wyatt Kaiser posted an average entry denial rate of 9%. Considering Kaiser’s limited experience and his toolset leans towards offense, this is impressive. However, Connor Murphy was his partner for most shifts.
But what does this all mean for Jeff Blashill?
Aggressive Forecheck
Most NHL teams use a 1-2-2 forecheck. It’s usually used as a conservative tactic that clogs the neutral zone. Or, it can be used aggressively to push the play to one half of the ice, exposing space and encouraging active defensemen. Jeff Blashill did that with the Detroit Red Wings in 2022.
In an aggressive 1-2-2, the defensemen pinch early and force an offside or a turnover. Last season, the Blackhawks were at league average for generating shots off NZ turnovers/60 (1.8). This may be hard, but imagine what the Blackhawks could do with pinching defensemen in the NZ.
Basic aggressive 1-2-2 NZ forecheck. D1 pinches and F3 covers.
While using a 2-1-2 can be aggressive, the Hawks still only have two young forwards. A 2-1-2 may not suit the rest of their slow and aging forwards. A 1-2-2 at least provides the ability to play conservatively when needed, but relies on the young defensemen, like Sam Rinzel, to create turnovers in the NZ.
Alex Vlasic, Connor Murphy, Wyatt Kaiser, and even Louis Crevier (on the bottom pair) can be used as safeties for the Blackhawks’ younger defensemen who may be more inclined to pinch (and they should).
All the defensemen need are competent forwards who can provide support when a defenseman pinches.
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