The Chicago Blackhawks have the best record in the Western Conference despite dealing with a rash of injuries and hiccups. The Hawks have managed to pace the NHL’s toughest conference due largely to the play of the core group of players general manager Stan Bowman constructed the roster around. Bryan Bickell, Marian Hossa, Michal Rozsival, and Corey Crawford have all missed time, with Bickell and Crawford having missed or expected to miss weeks of action.
Bickell’s size has been missed more than his scoring. That being said, the 4-year, $16 million contract was not given to him to just take up space. He has a meager five goals and six points in 22 games.
The injury that has and could affect the team’s immediate future is the loss of Crawford. The Chicago Blackhawks gave ‘Crow’ a pay raise as well, expecting him to continue to build off last season’s Jennings Award year. His 2.66 goals against average and .907 save percentage numerically say he has been mediocre. His penchant to have lousy games has come up more this season. There is also enough blame to spread around for the mediocre defensive play by those in front of him.
Rozsival, Sheldon Brookbank, and free agent signee Michael Kostka were all expected to continue to represent a solid bottom pairing to the D-corps returning each starter from the Stanley Cup champion team. Kostka has played in four contests due to a leg injury, but has shown flashes of reliability. ‘Rozy’ missing time has caused his unreliable play. Brookbank should see little action, but with injuries playing such a large role this season, has seen time at defenseman and forward. Coach Joel Quenneville found it necessary to play him under 10 minutes per game as a forward as opposed to giving a young forward an opportunity to get time with the big club.
The penalty kill is atrocious. The Chicago Blackhawks were near impenetrable a man down on their way to a second cup win in four seasons. It is easy and justified to point out the absence of Michael Frolik. Not only did Frolik accept the move from offensive forward to a two-way player, but he thrived at it. Chicago has lacked the type of player willing to change his game completely to benefit one of the league’s worst penalty kill units.
Even with all of that racket, the Hawks continue to win. Patrick Kane is second in the NHL in points, Patrick Sharp is scoring the goals that eluded him so often last year, and Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook are playing as well as they have since the 2010 season. Hossa and second year forward Brandon Saad represent the old and new school power forwards every club craves. Saad’s play has kept him in the discussion for a USA hockey team roster spot despite being a ripe 21 years old.
The Chicago Blackhawks continue on a path to a deep playoff run. Most teams in the NHL couldn’t weather some of the losses Chicago has. At this point, the only thing that may slow down the Hawks is a snowy Eden’s Expressway.
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