Chicago Blackhawks

The Chicago Blackhawks rode a winning streak into Florida last week, where they started out their first game against the Panthers the way that has been bemoaned all year: inconsistent and sloppy. The Panthers grabbed a 3-0 lead coming out of the first, and while the Blackhawks came back out for the final 40 and absolutely dominated the rest of the game, Tomas Vokoun was on his game, and won that one for his team, 3-2. Against the Lightning the following evening, the Hawks brought more game to Tampa Bay than they'd brought to Sunrise. They showed a lot more energy and the game was exciting against a fast-paced EC team that likes to play a style similar to Chicago's - fast, puck-possessing...

Can the Blackhawks make it to the playoffs? The simple answer: yes, they can. The season is not so far gone that it's impossible - yet. But the more important question is: will they? A little over four months ago, when the season began, it was a question mark, but the team reassured sports writers and fans alike that it was "unthinkable" and "ridiculous" to think that the team which had, just a few months earlier, hoisted the Stanley Cup over Philadelphia ice, might not make it back to the new season's playoffs. Fast forward to February. The Blackhawks now sit 11th in the Western Conference, 3rd in the Central Division, three spots out of playoff contention, with a 29-22-6 re...

The year after a team wins a championship, you would think that it would motivate the players to have career years, if they didn't already put one up in the pursuit of the trophy the year before. Being champions does wonders for team spirit, player confidence, and performance. So why have the Blackhawks struggled so much this year? Where has player and team consistency been? In the year after its first championship in 49 years, why are the star players of the Blackhawks struggling so much, and the men who are on track for career years the ones who are 3rd- and 4th-liners (such as Kopecky) and ones who've finally sold their tickets on the Rockford Express (such as Bickell)? The only "core"...

All that being said, Sunday night's game vs. the Los Angeles Kings was the Chicago Blackhawks official halfway point, their 41st game played.. No going back down, but here's what needs to be done in the four months ahead. A resolution list, if you will: - Start playing 60 Last year, it was all too common: the Blackhawks would take a lead into the third period, they'd begin to relax in the third, the other team would start to catch up, and the Hawks would scramble to hold onto their lead to make it through the period and take the win. You'd think they would've learned from that; but no, the same mentality seems to be have gotten worse. The primary reason it's worse this year is becau...