A tactical breakdown of the Blackhawks’ struggles on the forecheck and breakout

Steve Kwiatkowski of Second City Hockey analyses the Chicago Blackhawks' tactical issues following an 0-3 start to the 2026-27 NHL regular season. The writer argues that ongoing flaws in the forecheck and breakout are severely limiting the team's potential, noting that these struggles extend beyond a small three-game sample size.

According to the analysis, Chicago ranks near the bottom of the league defensively at five-on-five, placing 29th in shots against per 60 minutes and 31st in unblocked shot attempts per 60 minutes. Kwiatkowski points to defensive-zone execution and poor breakout play, including pairings like Sam Rinzel and Ian Cole, as primary culprits while star Connor Bedard remains sidelined.