Not only was it the Stanley Cup Western Conference Quarterfinals but the victory was against the bitter rival Blues. David Backes was the St. Louis captain. Ryan Miller was the starting goalie. Barrett Jackman, Steve Ott, and Maxim Lapierre were constant thorns in the side.
The Hawks also entered that postseason with championships in 2010 and 2013 but got eliminated by the Kings in the conference finals that year before rebounding for their third Cup in 6 seasons the season after. After 2015, though, things haven't been the same as far as playoff success.
Today, I'm not sure if the rivalry with the Blues is as bitter as it used to be or even if a rivalry exists beyond the decades of lore that came before. The same could be said about the vaunted rivalry with the Red Wings who were temporarily back in the Central Division last year.
Perhaps there's perpetual animosity with the Predators for there to be a brooding rivalry with them. Then again, games in recent years have been relatively tame and the rivalry could be more between the Chicago and Nashville fan bases than between the actual players and coaches.
Oddly, the Hawks farm team has fairly fierce rivalries brewing amongst Central Division foes. Games against the Chicago Wolves, Iowa Wild, and Grand Rapids Griffins are especially filled with hard hits, cheap shots, post-whistle shenanigans, trash talking, and vitriol.
At any rate, what do you think? Do the Blackhawks have any rivalries anymore? Click here to take a survey to share your perspective on Chicago hockey rivalries. Survey results will be shared in an upcoming blog after the weekend.
--
Next Game vs Blues
Finally back at home 😌 pic.twitter.com/IDu9ym1ATJ
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) November 26, 2021
--
Roster Updates
Derek King said Wyatt Kalynuk will play tomorrow. Tyler Johnson will need some more time.
— Scott Powers (@ByScottPowers) November 25, 2021
--
IceHogs Updates
We're thankful for another GAMEDAY and we celebrate #HockeyFightsCancer Night tonight at the BMO!
— Rockford IceHogs (@goicehogs) November 26, 2021
🎫: https://t.co/jeCt6ph70Y
📺: https://t.co/dKsiOTsCTp, 23.3 @23WIFR
📻 https://t.co/FHLGZCTR30, https://t.co/2iRG2MHlYo
📝: https://t.co/uGBYbIKznW pic.twitter.com/55H8mqEUi1
--
Prospect Updates
For the second time in November, the Alberta @Ford Dealers AJHL Defensive Player of the Week is @MOBHockey Captain Taige Harding. The @NHLBlackhawks draft pick scored two game winning goals and four points in three wins versus North Division rivals https://t.co/DHW2Bl7EQo pic.twitter.com/hXHZpCHXPV
— TheAJHL (@TheAJHL) November 23, 2021
Yet, while it's great to earn the honor of Defensive Player of the Week -- or whatever the time span may be -- and put up offensive stats, the more interesting question is how did said player fare defensively. It's one thing to put up goals and assists but were they reliable in their own end?
--
See you on the boards!