Two weeks into the season and you start hearing talk about the Blackhawks backsliding: They are flawed, not deep, terrible penalty kill and will miss the playoffs. Much of that still may be true, but now they’ve rolled off six wins in a row to quiet the noise.
Chicago is a victim of their own success, which has spawned high expectations by fans and media alike. Their penalty kill – until five games ago-has been dreadful. They were sitting around 50 percent before only allowing their opponents two extra man goals during this winning streak.
Patrick Kane – file photo by Lewis Bleiman
There are still questions about their depth up front. Captain Jonathan Toews started the season slow on offense. Until three games ago, he was held goalless. Since gaining Patrick Kane on his line, the captain has lit the lamp three times in the past two games.
Kane hasn’t cared who he plays with. The reigning Hart Trophy-winner is tied for the NHL lead in assists and is second in points behind teammate Artem Anisimov. Anisimov also is tied for the league lead in goals with eight.
Joel Quenneville is still looking for the right combination of forwards on a nightly basis. A lot of youth is on the roster as expected, and the carousel has been in full force. Recently Ryan Hartman, Tyler Motte and Nick Schmaltz have shown promise. With youth, you never know how long it will be sustained.
Despite all the “troubles” up front, the consistency through the first 13 games has to be credited to the defensive crew. That starts in the crease with Corey Crawford-again proving he is an elite goalie.
He ranks in the Top 10 in every goalie category. His play has been exceptional in even strength action. When the Blackhawks stay out of the penalty box, Crawford has been virtually unstoppable. As the penalty kill has given Crawford more help, his numbers only getting better.
The past few years Chicago has been a team primarily using four defensemen. This year they have a deep group of seven. Brian Campbell has met expectations since returning to Chicago. His puck moving ability and veteran presence has been a welcomed addition.
The most surprising thing to long-time Quenneville followers has to be his deployment of the final two defensemen. When Michal Rozsival was brought back, many assumed he would play the majority of the games. Instead Chicago has played rookies Gustav Forsling and Michal Kempny is 11 games, limiting the veteran to only four.
There are a ton of questions that are still unanswered with the Central Division leaders. Despite many wanting to say the run is over, this team has collected points in 10 of their first 13 games.
Their schedule is about to give them a big test as the annual Circus Trip looms. The Blackhawks have taken care of their friendly home-heavy opening of the season with a 7-1-1 mark. With eight of their next 10 games away from the United Center, we should have a better picture of the true strengths and weaknesses of this Blackhawks team.
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.