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One key to Chicago’s success: finishing strong

Colorado Avalanche versus the Chicago Blackhwaks

DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 26: Chicago Blackhawks center Andrew Shaw (65) celebrates his goal in the second period with Chicago Blackhawks right wing Patrick Kane (88) against Colorado Avalanche goalie Calvin Pickard (31) November 26, 2014 at Pepsi Center. (Photo By John Leyba/The Denver Post via Getty Images)

Denver Post via Getty Images

To some extent, it’s business as usual for the Chicago Blackhawks, who are currently on a four-game winning streak.

They’re a dominant possession team with a mix of high-end offensive talent and impressive depth. Their defense probably doesn’t get enough credit in some quarters and their goaltending is generally solid, even among injuries.

CSNChicago.com points out one thing that might be different: they’re finishing games on a strong note, with a 29-12 goal differential in third periods.

Patrick Kane isn’t so sure what the difference is, yet Andrew Shaw seems to argue it’s a point of emphasis.

“Last year in the playoffs we had a lot of two-goal leads that we ended up blowing, so we’re really focusing on going into third periods ending games early and keeping that momentum moving forward,” Shaw said. “We’re just trying to find ways to close out games.”

Here’s one extra bit of context from CSNChicago.com:

The 29 third-period goals certainly catch the attention. Part of that is the Blackhawks’ recent production, which has taken off since mid-November. In their last seven victories, the Blackhawks have recorded 12 third-period goals. In some cases, those goals have broken ties. In more instances, however, it’s added to a lead the Blackhawks already had and made those final third-period minutes that less stressful.

This pivots to an interesting side question: who’s been the best at closing games out? NHL.com has handy period-by-period guides for goals for and against, so here’s a look at the best and worst in the final frame (not including overtime):

TeamGP3rd P DiffGoals For: 1st Pd2nd Pd3rd PdOTTotGoals Agnst: 1st Pd2nd Pd3rd PdOTTot
CALGARY2724152739384223015168
CHICAGO2517301529175171912149
TAMPA BAY2713303133296172920066
VANCOUVER2612143430280203018068
MONTREAL271182433166232122167
NASHVILLE257162227166151420150
LOS ANGELES267242718170221911254
COLORADO265192226168263021481
DETROIT264222829281152225264
TORONTO253193727184272324276
NY RANGERS243222026270192423066
NY ISLANDERS262272423377222521068
OTTAWA251172024162162423366
ANAHEIM271192923172182722269
FLORIDA241122217152162316358
SAN JOSE27-2222825075182627071
ST LOUIS26-2192125267141627057
CAROLINA25-2181820157262022169
BOSTON27-2202319365183021170
PITTSBURGH25-2332817280181919157
EDMONTON26-3132223058283126489
MINNESOTA24-4192718266112222055
WINNIPEG26-4201912253172116256
WASHINGTON25-5232717269212322268
NEW JERSEY26-6201922162152828172
PHILADELPHIA25-10192421266222431077
BUFFALO26-1591319041182834181
ARIZONA27-15202317262252532284
DALLAS26-18243119074242837493
COLUMBUS25-21202215057232636186

Interesting stuff, huh? It’s especially notable that the Calgary Flames have almost as many goals in third periods (39) as they do in the opening four minutes combined (42). This could be a fun thing to revisit later on in the 2014-15 season; any theories on why some teams are so strong or weak late in games?

Follow James O’Brien @cyclelikesedins