After a great rookie campaign last season, Alex DeBrincat has taken his play to the next level this season. He is no longer a secondary scoring option and on his way to becoming an elite scoring threat for the Blackhawks. Through 7 games, DeBrincat has put up 11 points (7G, 4A) with a 3 +/- rating.
Besides putting up points, Alex DeBrincat has been etching his name into record books as well.
Alex DeBrincat scored to extend his season-opening point streak to seven games (7-4—11).@Brinksy97 became the 10th player in @NHLBlackhawks history to score 7 or more goals in the team’s opening seven games. At age 20, he is the youngest to do so. #NHLStats #CHIvsCBJ pic.twitter.com/TobSAzfjKn
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) October 21, 2018
Although DeBrincat has been making a name for himself this season, he has been sharing the spotlight with other Blackhawks’ stars too.
Alex DeBrincat and Patrick Kane are the 19th set of teammates in the modern era (since 1943-44) to have each scored 7+ goals through their team’s opening 7 games and first since Jaromir Jagr and Tomas Sandstrom in 1995-96 w/ PIT. #NHLStats pic.twitter.com/z716vrLWs0
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) October 21, 2018
With the loss of Marian Hossa, the Blackhawks desperately needed one of their young budding stars to step up. DeBrincat has officially nominated himself and put the NHL on notice. Speaking of Hossa, DeBrincat has officially linked their names together.
The 😼 is in some 💪 company to start the season.
TUNE IN at 5:30 to see if Alex DeBrincat can stay 🔥 TONIGHT on @NBCSChicago or STREAM on the #MyTeams App at https://t.co/WUcpiseQMD pic.twitter.com/VMBGXkk22k
— Blackhawks Talk (@NBCSBlackhawks) October 21, 2018
How Has Alex DeBrincat Gotten Off To Such A Hot Start?
Alex DeBrincat has been promoted to the top line this season which is a big factor in his hot start to the 2018-19 season. Playing on the Blackhawks’ 1st line sure has its perks. Increased ice time leads to more scoring opportunities and DeBrincat has capitalized on just about every single one.
DeBrincat is playing alongside the Captain, Jonathan Toews, who has also had a fantastic start to the season. Newly signed Dominik Kahun is also having himself a nice little coming out party on the 1st line in his rookie season with the Blackhawks. The offensive production has been plentiful for the team’s top dogs. Here’s some visual evidence, from last night’s game, of what this Blackhawks’ top line can do when they are firing on all cylinders.
Here’s the entire clip of the beautiful play by the 1st line to open last night’s game. The Alex DeBrincat-Jonathan Toews-Dominik Kahun line is one of the best in the league when they’re firing on all cylinders like this! #Blackhawks #CHIvsCBJ pic.twitter.com/exGEfVu9SC
— ✶ ✶Tony Gianares✶ ✶ (@Certified_TonyG) October 21, 2018
Alex DeBrincat brings some heavy duty offensive firepower to the Blackhawks’ 1st line which they were desperately missing last season.
Where Does The Hot Start Put Alex DeBrincat Amongst The NHL’s Elite This Season?
Through 7 games, Alex DeBrincat currently sits within the Top 20 in 2 major offensive categories, Points and Goals Scored.
Here are the NHL Points leaders through 10/21/18. There are 3 Blackhawks in the Top 20 right now, Patrick Kane (11), Alex DeBrincat (11), and Jonathan Toews (10).
Here are the NHL leaders in goals scored as of 10/21/18. Currently, there are 3 Blackhawks in the Top 15, Patrick Kane (7), Alex DeBrincat (7), and Jonathan Toews (5).
What’s Next For The Blackhawks?
Tonight, the Blackhawks faceoff against the Tampa Bay Lightning at home in a 2015 Stanley Cup rematch.
The #Blackhawks are back at it again tonight at home in a rematch of the 2015 Stanley Cup finals. Here’s where you can catch the game! #CHIvsTBL pic.twitter.com/TcV5BfjQgN
— ✶ ✶Tony Gianares✶ ✶ (@Certified_TonyG) October 21, 2018
Tampa Bay has speed and scoring throughout all four lines and on defense, so it will be important for the Blackhawks’ to get off to a strong start like they did last night against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Corey Crawford needs to have another strong performance tonight as well, because this “defense” has not helped him out in the 2 games that he has played in this season. Furthermore, if you were unaware of how bad this “defense” really is, I have some alarming stats to share with you. Keep in mind that these stats were only through 2 periods of hockey last night.
#Blackhawks and Blue Jackets remain tied 1-1 at the end of Period 2.
Shot attempts: 54-25 CBJ
Shots on goal: 28-15 CBJ
5-on-5 scoring chances: 17-7 CBJ
Total high danger chances: 11-2 CBJ— Charlie Roumeliotis (@CRoumeliotis) October 21, 2018
The final stats don’t help the “defense’s” case neither. I am thankful that this game did not go in Columbus’ favor when it easily could have. As you can see, the Blue Jackets had 12 more shots on goal and 10 more 5-on-5 scoring chances.
FINAL: #Blackhawks 4, Blue Jackets 1.
Chicago shot attempts: 47 (39 at 5-on-5, 26 on goal total).
Columbus shot attempts: 76 (52 at 5-on-5, 38 on goal total).
5-on-5 scoring chances: 25-15 Columbus. Heat map: pic.twitter.com/Eg6MkbTYVR
— Charlie Roumeliotis (@CRoumeliotis) October 21, 2018
I am praying for a turnaround for this “defense”, but I am definitely not holding my breath. Crawford will need all of the help he can get, but it will likely come on behalf of the offense. As long as the Blackhawks score enough points to mask the defensive blunders, the Blackhawks have a chance to win tonight. If everything goes right, the Blackhawks may even surprise the league and make a push for a Wild Card appearance this season. Fingers crossed!
For more Blackhawks news and updates, follow the author @Certified_TonyG on Twitter.
