Tuo Teravainen's Consistency Key to Blackhawks' Success
Forwards on the Chicago Blackhawks like many others have been plagued by hot and cold streaks throughout their careers. Not Teuvo Teravainen, however. The 31-year-old forward has proven time and again that he is a consistent performer who consistently produces despite the ebbs and flows of the season.
With eight consecutive games played in all 25 contests so far this season, Teravainen remains as steady as ever. He's currently tied for third on the team with 17 points, putting him well on pace for his career average of around 56 points per year. While some of his teammates have been erratic, Teravainen has bucked that trend by producing at a high level every night.
"What separates Teuvo from other guys is his defensive smarts," said Blackhawks coach Jeff Blashill recently. "When chaos happens, he knows who to cover and what play to take away." This ability to stay calm under pressure is precisely why Teravainen has become such an integral part of the team's success this season.
Despite his importance to the team's consistency, Teravainen remains humble and self-critical. He acknowledges that there is always room for improvement, a mindset that serves him well as he continues to push himself to be better with every passing game.
The Blackhawks' struggles last season weighed heavily on Teravainen, but he has bounced back in a big way this year. A strong stretch of games on their upcoming West Coast road trip should give him the boost he needs to stay motivated and focused.
Meanwhile, other teams may face challenges in replacing key players due to injury. In the case of Petr Mrazek's return from rehab, his injury woes have followed him from Chicago. With Ducks goalie Lukas Dostal also sidelined, their lack of depth at the back end could prove a major issue going forward.
In NHL scoring standings, Connor Bedard and Macklin Celebrini continue to pace each other with 37 points apiece. Meanwhile, players like Tyler Bertuzzi trail behind with just 21 points, a reminder that consistency is key in this fast-paced sport.
Forwards on the Chicago Blackhawks like many others have been plagued by hot and cold streaks throughout their careers. Not Teuvo Teravainen, however. The 31-year-old forward has proven time and again that he is a consistent performer who consistently produces despite the ebbs and flows of the season.
With eight consecutive games played in all 25 contests so far this season, Teravainen remains as steady as ever. He's currently tied for third on the team with 17 points, putting him well on pace for his career average of around 56 points per year. While some of his teammates have been erratic, Teravainen has bucked that trend by producing at a high level every night.
"What separates Teuvo from other guys is his defensive smarts," said Blackhawks coach Jeff Blashill recently. "When chaos happens, he knows who to cover and what play to take away." This ability to stay calm under pressure is precisely why Teravainen has become such an integral part of the team's success this season.
Despite his importance to the team's consistency, Teravainen remains humble and self-critical. He acknowledges that there is always room for improvement, a mindset that serves him well as he continues to push himself to be better with every passing game.
The Blackhawks' struggles last season weighed heavily on Teravainen, but he has bounced back in a big way this year. A strong stretch of games on their upcoming West Coast road trip should give him the boost he needs to stay motivated and focused.
Meanwhile, other teams may face challenges in replacing key players due to injury. In the case of Petr Mrazek's return from rehab, his injury woes have followed him from Chicago. With Ducks goalie Lukas Dostal also sidelined, their lack of depth at the back end could prove a major issue going forward.
In NHL scoring standings, Connor Bedard and Macklin Celebrini continue to pace each other with 37 points apiece. Meanwhile, players like Tyler Bertuzzi trail behind with just 21 points, a reminder that consistency is key in this fast-paced sport.