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I’m back from Mexico and ready for some Blackhawks talk.

Actually, I’m ready for a Blackhawks regulation win. That will make the talk much more digestible.

Chicago did play the Dallas Stars really well on Saturday. This is a Stars team that has been on absolute fire as of late, posting a 13-1-1 record in their last 15.

The benefit for Chicago is that Dallas will be playing in back-to-back games. DAL takes on VGK on Monday night and will have a rested Hawks’ team waiting in Chicago for some revenge.

I wanted to touch on a few things as we head into this next game:

* The Blackhawks played a great game on Saturday and were unfortunately ousted in the dreaded shootout by Dallas.

There were some questionable calls (I still think that Shaw goal should have counted) but the Hawks need to put those behind them and focus on winning this next game.

* If the Hawks can get a win vs. the hottest team in the NHL, that will serve as some nice momentum for 4 huge points vs. Colorado.

It’s American Thanksgiving and this is the point in season where many state that you can separate the real teams to the pretenders.

The Hawks have been so up-and-down this season but overall have looked much better after the “shift in strategy” by Colliton.

Also, they aren’t the only ones with a roller coaster season; look no further than the Nashville Predators.

The good news, the Hawks are only 3 points back of the last Wild Card spot. The bad news is there are only 4 ahead of the LA Kings – the worst team in the Western Conference.

CHI needs to start getting 2 points more regularly and especially need those “Ws” in regulation time vs. Central foes.

* Good for the Hawks to give Matthew Highmore another opportunity. He was recalled on Monday and practiced with the team. It’s uncertain as to whether he gets into a game while Drake Caggiula is sidelined with a concussion but I, for one, would like to see him in game action.

He’s got a real nose for the puck and has a relentless motor while he’s on the ice in every zone. He has 13 games under his belt in the NHL, recording 2 goals. This came in the 2017-18 season.

I believe had he not been injured last year with a season-ending shoulder surgery, he would have been a regular in Chicago by the end of the year.

Looking forward to seeing him back with the big club.

* Alex Nylander needs to pick it up. I actually wouldn’t be shocked to see him shifted down the lineup or even scratched for the aforementioned Matthew Highmore.

Remember Nylander was on his way to being scratched a few games ago until Drake Caggiula was diagnosed with a concussion.

* Domink Kubalik is a guy that should also be given an opportunity in Nylander’s spot.

Colliton has been real hesitant with this guy but I think most of us see a player that can create a lot of scoring chances on his own and we’ve already seen some chemistry with Saad this season. Put him up there with Toews already, Jeremy… do it.

* Robin Lehner is making waves with his shootout comments this week. Good for him for speaking his mind.

I wonder if he’s being too open though. He’s laid all his cards on the table and essentially told opponents where he struggles the most.

I guess a team scout, coach or even players could pick up on this if they watch the video of Lehner in shootouts, but he’s really making it easy for them.

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That's it for now.

See ya out there!

TC

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