After a rocky and confusing start, the Blackhawks now sit with a formidable 16-11-5 record. That's good for 5th in the Central, tied with their opponents tonight, the Wild.
They are also only 9 points out of 1st place. That sounds like a lot, but is it really?
If this Hawks team has truly found their stride and can put more consistent wins and streaks together, climbing up the ranks is not out of the question.
The 2016-17 Hawks overachieved at times, thanks to some great goaltending and the ability to hang on to wins in tight games.
So, is it finally time for their first 5-win streak of the year?
Here's a look at all of the 5+ consecutive W's from last year:
October 28th – @ New Jersey (3-2 OT)
October 30th – Los Angeles (3-0)
November 1st – Calgary (5-1)
November 3rd – Colorado (4-0)
November 5th – @ Dallas (3-2)
November 6th – Dallas (4-3 OT)
November 9th – @ St. Louis (3-2)
Streak: 7 games
December 11th – Dallas (3-1)
December 13th – @ New York Rangers (2-1)
December 15th – @ New York Islanders (5-4)
December 17th – @ St. Louis (6-4)
December 18th – San Jose (4-1)
Streak: 5 games
February 2nd - @ Arizona (4-3)
February 4th – @ Dallas (5-3)
February 8th - @ Minnesota (4-3 OT)
February 10th - @ Winnipeg (5-2)
February 11th - @ Edmonton (5-1)
Streak: 5 games
February 19th – @ Buffalo (5-1)
February 21st - @ Minnesota (5-3)
February 23rd - Arizona (6-3)
February 26th – St. Louis (4-2)
March 1st – Pittsburgh (4-1)
March 3rd – New York Islanders (2-1 SO)
March 4th – Nashville (5-3)
Streak: 7 games
March 12th – Minnesota (4-2)
March 14th - Montreal (4-2)
March 16th - @ Ottawa (2-1)
March 18th – @ Toronto (2-1 OT)
March 19th vs. Colorado (6-3)
Streak: 5 games
That February 2nd - March 4th stretch was a total of 3 losses in 20 games last year in the Spring #woah.
Coach Q said that he hopes Rutta and Franson get on the ice tomorrow. This will give the coaching staff some very difficult decisions.
The forward lines look to remain the same (sorry #14) and on D, it looks like the same 6 will head out there tonight:
Keith-Oesterle
Forsling-Murphy
Kempny-Seabrook
Noteworthy topics include Kempny looking to build off a strong game. He was "excellent" according to Q. That's huge praise.
Another that Q and Ulf are happy with is #82, Jordan Oesterle. He was spotted on the 2nd power play unit yesterday at practice. If his skating and offensive instincts carrying the puck up ice come together, it may be hard to take him out of the lineup. There isn't really anyone else on the backend with his skill set, which is great for him and slightly terrifying for the Blackhawks that an unknown 25-year old is the last hope for their woeful PP.
Ok, on to the good stuff, rumours or if you're American, rumors.
On the Ottawa front, I have heard that Pierre Dorion is looking to evaluate some larger deals before moving out depth players. Ottawa is under a lot of pressure and their owner is not helping.
Eugene Melnyk and his "relocation" comments really could have waited / not said at all. Now, Dorion is in a tough spot (not that he wasn't already).
Right now, it doesn't make a lot of sense that the Blackhawks to make a move with Ottawa just to make a move.
I've heard the Hawks are happy with Hinostroza at centre right now. If it was my call, it's not a long-term solution, but hey, they're winning and all appears to be well in Hawks world.
They really want players like Hinostroza, as well as their younger wave to build off of the confidence of contributing to the team's recent success. Guys like Schmaltz, Debrincat, Hino, Forsling, etc. will be continue to get ice-time and put in a position to succeed.
I heard recently that, as suspected in past seasons, the core of Toews, Kane, Keith and Seabrook are indeed not going all out and saving themselves for more meaningful games in the new year and as they near the playoffs to ramp this team up.
It's hard to agree with this thought process, as they can't rely on crazy amounts of depth like they've had in the past.
Brad Richards commented about this after he won a cup with the team in 2015; he alluded to the fact that the Hawks key members were taking it easy during the middle of the season as they knew they would need to conserve their energy for April.
This strategy is twofold:
1) The coaches and management want their younger players to play under fire and not to be carried by the core. Then come playoff time, the core 4 is ready for (a hopeful) long run in the post-season.
2) The front office realizes there is a lot of miles and dollars committed to Kane, Toews, Keith and Seabrook. They went all in for that 2015 cup and believe that these four (along with Hjalmarsson) never fully recovered, especially the defensemen.
So, maybe what our eyes are telling us is true. It's not surprising but let's hope that the Hawks don't find them on the outside looking in come Springtime or this "saving your energy" game plan will be all for not.
Devan Dubnyk is out for a while so one would think the Hawks will face Alex Stalock tomorrow, however, the Wild played last night. So unless they go with Stalock again, the Hawks will face Steve Michalek.
Who? Steve Michalek, the 24-year old was drafted in the 6th round in 2011, who has yet played a game in the NHL. He's even spent some time in the ECHL, so, tonight is indeed, a great chance to make it 5 wins in a row.
See ya out there.
JL - @JustinLoweHB
--
ICYMI:
* Rockford lost 2-1 in a shootout on Friday to the Rampage.
Andreas Martinsen scored again (3 goals in his last 4) and has been a solid pick up by Stan for the IceHogs.
If there was ever room in the bottom 6 on this team, don't be shocked if the Norwegian gets the nod. He is quick for a big guy, he's physical and has 119 NHL games under his belt.
The rematch between the San Antonio Rampage is this afternoon at 3 pm. Should be a good one.
--
Who we got tonight: Minnesota Wild
Season Matchup:
Chicago ✔
Minnesota ✔
17-12-3 = 37 points
T-5th in Central Division (w/ Hawks)
Last game: LOSS vs. Edmonton (3-2)
GF: 89 / GA: 87
PP% = 21.6% (6th in NHL)
PK% = 82.9% (9th in NHL)
Sniper: Jason Zucker – 14 goals
Producer: Eric Staal – 27 points
Tough Guys: – Kyle Quincey - 28 PIMs (he’s living in the AHL now) & Marcus Foligno - 87 hits
--
Chicago Blackhawks Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»