The Blackhawks: Are They for Real?

After last night’s 5-1 pounding of the Philadelphia Flyers, the Hawks are off to their best start in, well, years.  So, the question has to be asked:  Are the Chicago Blackhawks for real?  Will the Hawks not only make the playoffs this year, but also get to – can I even say it? – the Promised Land?  A Stanley Cup?

Let me slow my roll here and try and look and what is and is not going on with the Hawks this year.

On the positive side:  After DECADES of existing in witness protection-like anonymity under deceased owner Bill Wirtz, the Hawks have sprung upon Chicago anew.  The team is one of the youngest and most raw-talented clubs in the League, led by uber-sophomores Patrick Kane and Jonathon Toews.   While not old enough to shave, these two are incredibly talented, with Toews having been made Captain by his teammates.  They got mad skills and show real, adult leadership.

Shit-canning Savoir Faire and replacing him with Joe Quenneville turns out to have been a fantastic move.  The lines are in great order and the Hawks are burning on D, with increasing consistency on O as well.

As of today – 12/27/08 – their record is 19-6-7, with 45 points, placing them sixth in the League overall in points, and the team just tied their franchise record of eight consecutive wins.

On the TBD side:  The Detroit Red Wings.  That is where the Hawks’ season begins and ends this year and pretty much every year.  Can the Hawks get past the big boys in the NHL?   There is no “bigger boy” on the ice than Detroit.  Not only are they the NHL’s defending Champs, but also, once again, have the best record in the League (and, by default, the best record in the Hawks’ division).

The Blackhawks have a game at Wrigley Field – outdoors – on New Year’s Day, against the Red Wings.  I have a feeling that this game will, for the Hawks, go a long way towards deciding what the rest of this season will shape out like for Chicago hockey. 

Too bad they are playing the game at Wrigley.  Not an inspiring location when a Chicago fan is looking for hope.

Comments

[Chase Parker]

I'm a Wings fan, so this is like talking down to my little brother. One game won't mean dick in a season, sorry.

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[JD]

Hey Joe - I watched your bowl game last night, it was a great game, sorry your team came up short. You should be proud! I am headed to New Orleans in a few hours, until Jan. 4th. GO UTES!

[John]

Hawks all the way !

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