As the NHL season pauses for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina, the Chicago Blackhawks find themselves in an interesting position, particularly when assessing their special teams' performance. While one unit has been a consistent strength, the other is struggling to find its rhythm.

The Blackhawks' penalty kill has been a bright spot. Recently, the PK unit successfully killed off their lone penalty on Tuesday, making them 31-for-33 in 14 games in January. The team's ability to prevent goals while shorthanded has been a key factor in maintaining competitiveness. A key player in the unit's success has been Mikheyev, who has been providing phenomenal defense and also contributing offensively.

Conversely, the power play has entered a slump. The team has failed to score on the power play in their last eight games, going 0-for-22 during that stretch. Before the game against the Florida Panthers on January 25th, Head Coach Jeff Blashill acknowledged the power play's struggles. He noted that the unit hasn't felt dangerous and that the team needs to find a way to get it going again. Blashill suggested that confidence might be a factor and adjustments may be needed. The absence of Teuvo Teravainen, who was sidelined with an upper-body injury on January 12th, has also been felt on the power play. He missed six games before returning to the lineup on January 27th against the Minnesota Wild.

The Blackhawks' special teams exemplify the contrasting elements of their season. The strong penalty kill provides a foundation, while the struggling power play presents an area for improvement. As the team heads into the Olympic break, addressing the power play woes will be a point of emphasis. Finding ways to generate more dangerous chances and regain confidence could be key to a stronger second half of the season.