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Regardless of how the Blackhawks do in the playoffs this year, the 2013 season will always be remembered (at least in part) as the year of the record-breaking win streak.
What will likely be forgotten is that they arguably played their best hockey of the year at the end of the season. As in, right now.
Last night’s 5-2 win over Dallas, the Hawks’ sixth straight victory, was not the defensive masterpiece that some of the recent games have been. There were some breakdowns that led to odd-man rushes for Dallas, and Ray Emery’s angles were not great on the two tallies by Jamie Benn.
But over the last couple of games, the Hawks have started to coalesce into the overwhelming force they were during the streak, with contributions from all four lines. And with the addition of Michal Handzus to bolster faceoffs and the midseason emergence of Brandon Saad, a case can be made, they are a better team now than the one that swept through the Western Conference earlier this year.
Terrific games last night from Marian Hossa and Jonathan Toews.
Saad was disruptive on the forecheck as usual and had a nice pass, preceding a brilliant pass by Hossa, on Toews’ goal.
Patrick Kane has gone a little 1-on-3 crazy again, but he sure did look the part of a good NHL center, drawing the defense to himself in the center of the ice before dishing to Andrew Shaw for a goal.
This team is different in character than the 2010 Stanley Cup team. It’s faster, but not as physical, and more dangerous in transition, more positional defensively. But one big similarity between both clubs is the inseason emergence of key players, that in turn, elevate and enrich the depth of the entire club.
One such player this year is defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson. who has arguably made the leap from a #4 defenseman to a legitimate #2 on any club. While Hjalmarsson scored last night on an absolute bomb from between the circles, also brilliantly set up by a curling Hossa, the real story of his game this year has been how effective he has become taking away space and pucks. Rarely this year has Hammer been out of position or beaten one on one. Maybe once or twice all year that I’ve seen, and much of that facing opponent’s top lines.
Finally, my thoughts and prayers go out to the victims and families of the senseless bombing yesterday in Boston. Everyone please limit any comments on this tragedy to positive, supportive sentiments—without politics, stereotyping, or jumping to conclusions—or take them elsewhere. Thanks
All for now,
JJ
Chicago Blackhawks Blogger • 
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