BLOG: Blackhawks Continue to Shake Up Power Play Ahead of Matchup Against Lightning 

With Taylor Hall still out of the lineup, the Chicago Blackhawks continue to shake up the first power play unit to help produce more offense. One of the changeups included Lukas Reichel’s addition in Wednesday’s practice as a first look. 

While head coach Luke Richardson hopes that the veteran forward could possibly return soon, he wants to keep Philipp Kurashev on the top unit after his high production over the last few games. 

“We'll put Kurashev over where he was practicing yesterday on that other flank,” Richardson said. “Kurashev has been, so that's an easy adjustment.” 

Kurashev and Reichel will play on the top unit along with Connor Bedard, Corey Perry and Seth Jones in the contest against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday night. In the last six games, the power play unit went 3-for-16.

With the addition of Reichel on the top unit, Bedard believes that the German forward’s skill will only help their unit to keep a longer puck possession along with his speed.   

“He's got so much skill and poised with the puck,” Bedard said. “There's so much skill and that brings a lot to the power play, so excited for that.” 

Richardson also added that he hopes that the two forwards could help with moving the puck quicker against some of the top penalty killing teams. After yesterday’s first look, the second-year head coach is hopeful that it can translate into tonight’s tilt. 

“The game is so skilled now, even defensive guys have good sticks that you have to move the puck quick,” Richardson said. “I was happy with practice yesterday hopefully that can translate in the game today.”

While it’s still early in the season, Kevin Korchinski feels that the two power play units are adjusting to the changes being made. 

As they continue to practice and take some reps in games, he is confident that the team will be able to trust each other and find ways to find the back of the net. 

“We have to trust one another to make plays” Korchinski said. “Every player out there is a good player, so if you trust them, that they're going to their job and you do your job, it's going to work.”