Lukas Reichel netted his first goal of the 2024-25 season for the Chicago Blackhawks on Monday night in Denver, with Craig Smith providing the only assist. This shift in roles has been a pleasantly surprising offensive boost for the Blackhawks from this forward duo in recent weeks.
Reichel now has four points this season, and his growing confidence, coupled with four points in six games, brings him close to the level of play that won over fans at the end of the 2022-23 season when he scored 15 points in 23 games.
Notably, all three of Reichel’s assists have been linked to Smith’s goals, meaning their offensive contributions are closely connected. Smith, 35, has accumulated five points this season, four of which involved Reichel. Compared to last year, when he achieved 20 points in 75 games, he is off to a strong start this time around.
This situation raises the possibility that effective coaching is about placing players in optimal positions with complementary teammates. While some fans might expect Reichel, a first-round draft pick, to ascend to a top-six role and see Smith, an older veteran known for his two-way play, relegated to a fourth-line position, it’s essential to recognize that line designations are merely theoretical. The real impact comes from how and when players are used to enhance their effectiveness.
Currently, the partnership of Reichel and Smith is yielding great results for the Blackhawks.
They have played together for 35:51 during 5-on-5 situations over six games, during which the Blackhawks have out-shot their opponents 24-17 and out-scored them 4-2. In contrast, Reichel has been on the ice for 20:16 without Smith, where the team has been out-shot 10-5 with no goals scored. Meanwhile, Smith’s time without Reichel spans 41:09 across eight games, resulting in a 4-1 scoring disadvantage despite a favorable shot count of 23-17.
It’s worth noting that Smith was a healthy scratch earlier this season before Reichel joined the team. Before Reichel’s arrival, Smith managed just two shots on goal and was a minus-two in two games. Since then, he has registered 13 shots on goal and maintained an even rating over six games.
Reichel has also recorded a shot in every game this season, though early feedback suggested he needed to be more assertive. He has been showing increasing confidence and assertiveness as he settles into his role.
It appears that their partnership is beneficial for both players, and the Blackhawks are experiencing improved results when they work together cohesively.
