Usually we've had more balance than this

"Usually we've had more balance than this," said Eaves, alluding to the fact the previous worst offensive imbalance in his nine-year tenure was in 2004-05 when 45 of the 127 goals came via the power play (35.4 percent).

The lack of even-strength success can be linked to one major detail. UW is averaging 27.9 shots on goal per game, which is the ninth-lowest in the WCHA. The only other time in the Eaves Era that ratio finished below 30 was in 2002-03 (25.9), his forgettable first year.

That's a telling stat. The 16th-ranked Badgers (8-7-3 overall, 4-6-2 WCHA) have won all five games this season when collecting at least 30 shots.

"We're creating a lot down low and we're cycling the puck well," Murray said, "but we're just not bringing it to the net."

In that respect, the team has several issues. In addition to not generating enough shots, UW has been inconsistent when it comes to getting traffic in front of the net. In turn, that limits the number of deflections and rebound chances.

Senior center and captain Sean Dolan said the deficiencies are a by-product of tactics, not lack of effort. He said some of it can be tied to a lineup that has only six regulars from last season.

"I know it's December now," Dolan said, "but we're still getting used to how guys play and finding where to go."

Another element, according to Dolan, is the psychological aspect of venturing into the dirty area in the low slot.

"Something that we need to keep working on as forwards is generating 5-on-5 chances," he said. "I think it's just more of a mentality of bringing the puck to the net and not playing on the (perimeter) and kind of forcing ourselves to get bodies to the front of the net and getting those ugly goals."

Murray always seems willing to stick his nose into the fray near the crease despite his smallish 5-foot-9, 185-pound frame. He was asked if a young roster — as many as six freshman forwards have been in the same lineup — was a factor.

"Maybe the first couple games; they're not used to the speed of college hockey," Murray said. "We can't use that excuse the whole year.

"They're not young guys anymore. I remember my first year, the first couple games were a little bit of a surprise. But then you get into a rhythm."

In WCHA games, the Badgers have the No. 1 power play and the No. 2 penalty-killing unit, but are 10 points behind front-running Minnesota-Duluth with the holiday break on the horizon. Closing that gap depends a lot on creating a more balanced offense.

Eaves was asked if his club can make a push given its current approach to scoring goals.

"I don't think it'll get us to where we want to be ultimately," he said. "We're going to have to forge up that part of our fort and find more offense."