NHL Playoffs: 5 reasons the Chicago Blackhawks could repeat

#5: A Deadly Scoring Line

No forward line in the NHL this season has more even strength goals this season as a trio than the Blackhawks big three of Patrick Kane, Artemi Panarin, and Artem Anisimov’s 37. Part of that is due to spending the most time together of any trio, but they still average 2.88 goals per 60 minutes at even strength, which is extremely impressive. The scary part? They’re set up to succeed thanks to heavy offensive zone starts.

Panarin, Anisimov, and Kane rank fourth, sixth, and seventh among all forwards in zone start percentage relative at even strength, which compares how many offensive zone starts a player gets compared to the rest of his team. While they face somewhat tough competition, they don’t face the toughest competition at home thanks to some great utilization by Joel Quenneville. What a novel concept – a team’s best scoring line is set up to succeed by being put in situations where they are more likely to score.

The trio have impressive chemistry together despite having never played together before this season (except in preseason and in training camps). A huge reason for this has been Panarin, whose creativity and skill have flourished in a much more wide-open NHL. With Kane, the duo give Anisimov two great options to dish the puck to. Anisimov is the one who doesn’t get credit for what he does, but ask the Hawks how many goals this season have been scored due to his butt being in the goalie’s face or him winning a battle along the boards. He’s a great fit for the line because he’s willing to do the dirty work to make Kane and Panarin better.

Another reason why they’re so dominant? Their first forward line allows them to be.

Next: #4: A Proven Shutdown Line