Only a few more days until NHL players get their holiday gifts, the league’s annual three-day shutdown. As the NHL shifts their focus to the upcoming outdoor games, the Chicago Blackhawks are eyeing building their Central Division lead.
Quietly, Chicago has built themselves an eight-point lead-biggest gap in the league. The numbers are a bit inflated with holding four games in hand and are the hottest team behind seven straight wins.
Chicago has seen this story before and don’t seem to be taking their foot off the gas pedal anytime soon. The enter the week on a five game winning streak and have collected points in eight of their 10 games this month-most of that without key players in the lineup.
Goaltender Corey Crawford hasn’t played since December 1 due to an emergency appendectomy. Johnathon Toews and Brent Seabrook also missed a handful of game in December while their team still found ways to win.
Coming into the season, the focus was on who would provide secondary scoring for the Blackhawks. For the first time in recent memory, depth up front was a major question. It remains that way 34 games into the season.
The past week has shown hope that depth is developing. Vinnie Hinostroza has four points in his past five games-including a game winning goal in St. Louis. Linemate Ryan Hartman has four points along with a hearty +4 rating in those five games. The rookies are clearly benefitting from being joined on the ice by veteran Marian Hossa.
The biggest turnaround since October has-without a doubt-been the penalty kill units. Until Monday morning, Chicago spent the entire season in last place in that category. Their 88.2% success rate in December is sixth overall and has seen them leap past Buffalo in the season’s rankings.
One thing that continues to trend up is Chicago’s ability to control the puck immediately. Their 47% win rate ranks in the lower third in the NHL. Before this recent 10 game streak, only Toews had won more than half his draws. Marcus Kruger and Andrew Dejardins have both had a strong month and joined their captain above the 50/50 mark.
Chicago has a lot of work to do before they can turn their attention to playing yet another outdoor hockey game. Three of their final five games in 2016 are inside their division.
As the ice starts to be built at Busch Stadium the Hawks sit on their perch above the others inside the Central. These next two weeks could see a change quickly. Depth, penalty kill success and face-offs win will bring joy and happiness to those faithful fans this time of year.
Follow Adam on Twitter @Adam_PHN and you can always reach him at adam.minnick@prohockeynews.com
You must be logged in to post a comment.