"While the Chicago Blackhawks might be happy with goalie Robin Lehner's play so far this season since signing on as a free agent during the summer, the defense hasn't looked good in front of him. As Chicago fights to stay out of the basement of the Western Conference, their defense isn't exactly going to help them get too far ahead. Scott Powers of The Athletic points out a couple of stats that show how hard it'll be for the Hawks to get into the playoffs. "This is where the Blackhawks ranked in 5-on-5 defensive categories per 60 minutes last season:
30th in shots on goal against at 33.74
31st in expected goals against at 2.68
31st in scoring chances against at 30.17
31st in high-danger chances against at 13.66
And this is where the Blackhawks rank in those same categories so far this season:
31st in shots on goal against at 35.69
30th in expected goals against at 2.65
30th in scoring chances against at 29.36
30th in high-danger chances against at 12.57
The ranking and numbers are pretty much same, and that obviously isn't a good indication of defensive improvement. Just once this season the Blackhawks have allowed fewer than the league average of shots on goal per 60 minutes. The average is about 29.5 shots."Not looking good at all. "
