{"id":541008,"date":"2026-04-04T22:07:11","date_gmt":"2026-04-04T22:07:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/541008\/"},"modified":"2026-04-04T22:07:11","modified_gmt":"2026-04-04T22:07:11","slug":"nick-lardis-confidence-surging-with-blackhawks-as-he-learns-how-to-score-in-nhl","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/541008\/","title":{"rendered":"Nick Lardis’ confidence surging with Blackhawks as he learns how to score in NHL"},"content":{"rendered":"

SEATTLE \u2014 Blackhawks<\/a> rookie forward Nick Lardis\u2019 surging confidence is evident not only in his play on-ice but also in his interviews off-ice. <\/p>\n

He sounds more assertive and comfortable than he did earlier this season.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m finding my confidence more and more every game,\u201d Lardis said Saturday. “[I\u2019m] finding my stride. I\u2019m feeling really good with the systems and everything.\u201d<\/p>\n

Everything is coming up Lardis right now, including an apparent hand injury suffered Thursday<\/a> against the Oilers that turned out to be inconsequential.<\/p>\n

He has tallied four goals in his last seven games, increasing his NHL season total to nine goals in 35 games (entering Saturday against the Kraken). He\u2019s now tied with Ryan Greene for eighth on the Hawks in that regard, and Greene has played more than twice as many games.<\/p>\n

Lardis\u2019 goal total would likely be even higher, too, if he had played all along in the top six like he has lately. Coach Jeff Blashill made him wait patiently<\/a> for that opportunity.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s what you\u2019ve got to do as a young guy in the NHL: gain the coach\u2019s trust,\u201d Lardis said. \u201cHe put me in a position where I had to obviously earn it, and it was motivating for me. I loved the challenge. I\u2019m not saying I\u2019m going to be in the top six for[ever], but I\u2019m not taking it for granted.\u201d<\/p>\n

Quick release<\/p>\n

Lardis has made a concerted effort to get more often into dirty areas around the net, which is where he has scored his last two goals (against the Oilers and Rangers).<\/p>\n

His elite shooting and finishing is what got him here, though, so that needs to remain a key part of his game.<\/p>\n

He has learned that releasing shots quickly is the best way to beat NHL goalies. He tried to wait out Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck on a golden scoring chance Tuesday, but that just gave Hellebucyk more time to challenge and cut down the angle.<\/p>\n

\u201cI tried to wait and pick my corner rather than…getting it to the far side of the net quick, which I probably should\u2019ve done, watching it back,\u201d Lardis said. \u201cBut that\u2019s a learning [lesson].<\/p>\n

\u201cIt doesn\u2019t really get in my head. If I miss a chance like that, it\u2019s not like I\u2019m thinking about it the whole game. It\u2019s just good to know if there\u2019s another opportunity that comes up.\u201d<\/p>\n

Faceoff to stoppage<\/p>\n

Hawks fans may have recently noticed their team doing something strange from time to time: Winning a defensive-zone faceoff, then immediately handing the puck to their goalie (either Spencer Knight or Arvid Soderblom) to cover for a stoppage and another faceoff.<\/p>\n

Blashill has actually instructed them to do this in a specific scenario: After icings in the second period.<\/p>\n

Icings prevent line changes, and the long distance between the defensive zone and the bench makes on-the-fly changes riskiest during the second period. So instead of counting on getting the puck out and deep, the Hawks are willing to give up a guaranteed possession for a guaranteed change.<\/p>\n

\u201cI actually learned that from [Lightning coach Jon Cooper],\u201d Blashill said recently. \u201cWe did a good job of it in Tampa. Generally, you\u2019re way better off getting guys off the ice that are tired.\u201d<\/p>\n

Whenever the Blackhawks ice the puck in the 2nd period, then win the DZ faceoff, they give the puck to the goalie to freeze.<\/p>\n

Jeff Blashill said that\u2019s an instruction. It\u2019s worth giving up guaranteed possession. \u201cYou\u2019re way better off getting guys off the ice that are tired.\u201d pic.twitter.com\/8vRFlA9ffy<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Ben Pope (@BenPopeCST) April 3, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

The Hawks\u2019 odds of gaining possession again off the next faceoff are not great, considering they rank 31st in the NHL with a 46.1% team faceoff percentage. <\/p>\n

However, they\u2019ve also iced the puck 329 times this season (entering Saturday), which is 10th-most, so the safer decision might be wise.<\/p>\n