Blackhawks: What to think of Ryan Donato’s scoring hot streak

Chicago Blackhawks forward Ryan Donato at just 28 years old has made his way around a good handful of NHL teams.

Donato, a former second round pick by the Boston Bruins in 2014, has played for Boston, Minnesota, San Jose and Seattle before making his way to Chicago.

Donato signed with the Blackhawks on July 1, 2023 on a two year $4 million contract. For the Blackhawks and Kyle Davidson, signing Donato gave the team a good depth forward, someone who could play in a handful of different roles. Now in his second year, few would have guessed where he would end up.

As of Nov. 5, Ryan Donato is the Chicago Blackhawks leading goal scorer. Donato, who has never hit the 20 goal mark, is on pace for a 44 goal season with seven goals in his first 11 games of the year.

All seven of Donato’s goals come at even strength, with just one coming as an empty net. That is a good thing, the Blackhawks need more goals at five on five. In 13 games, the Blackhawks have registered 27 goals at even strength, the 19th best in the league. The best teams in the league are scoring at much higher rates at even strength. The five leaders in that category are Winnipeg (43), Vegas (43), Washington (40), New Jersey (37) and Tampa Bay (36).

Here is a look at Donato’s goals:

Donato is currently on a five game point streak. He has shown a willingness to get into the dirty areas in front of the net and find a goal, like on this one in Anaheim.

if you don't know now you know: ryan donato is on fiiiiiiiire🔥 pic.twitter.com/rvVB2ngqxq

— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) November 4, 2024

With Donato having so much success right now, I think back to his response to a question postgame after a tough loss to the San Jose Sharks. Donato was frustrated after the team lost 3-2 to San Jose, but when asked about his goal scoring touch he had this to say.

“I worked hard during the summer,” Donato said. “It’s hard to look at it after a hard loss like that but I pray a lot, that is all I can say. I try and show up and do the right things and work hard but my faith has carried me a long way and for me that is what I always go back to.”

There is no doubt Luke Richardson and the Blackhawks will take all the help they can get scoring goals. Donato leading the Hawks in scoring says just as much about the play of guys like Teuvo Teravainen and Connor Bedard right now as it does about Donato.

The main question that comes to mind with Donato leading the Blackhawks in scoring is – can it last? Can Donato continue produce at a high level playing on the top line with Connor Bedard, facing the best opposition? Donato has scored some good goals and has since been rewarded with a spot on the top forward unit and power play, but can he produce in that position?

Time will tell. For right now though we can look at some stats. According to Money Puck, Donato has an expected goals of just three, so he is over producing where he should be at. Natural Stat Trick is in a similar position with an expected goals of 3.37 in all situations.

The Blackhawks will continue to ride the hot hand with Donato, but even if he loses his scoring touch and slots back down in the lineup, he should be a good third or fourth line scorer for this team.

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