Chicago Blackhawks must win next two games to stay in playoff hunt

With the Chicago Blackhawks struggling to stay in the playoff picture, their next two games against Toronto and Detroit could have major implications for their season.

The Chicago Blackhawks cannot underestimate the importance of the next two games if they want a chance to compete for a Stanley Cup this season.

The team sits at 22-19-6, good enough for 50 points. They are currently last in the Central division and seven points out of a playoff spot, and yet there seems to be no sense of urgency.

Like everyone else, the Hawks head into the All-Star Break looking to gain some rest and heal some injuries. Before they can do that, though, two games against the Toronto Maple Leafs and Detroit Red Wings stand in their way.

If you recall three games ago, you might remember that the Hawks were throttled at home by the Wings, getting shut out while surrendering four goals.

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The team is floundering, but they still sit within striking distance of a playoff spot. At the very least, their goal before the All-Star Break should be to gain two points, whether that means winning one and losing one or losing two in OT.

Here are a couple of scenarios that could play out and what they might mean for the remainder of the season.

Win Both: 

Obviously, this is the best case scenario. The Chicago Blackhawks could pick up four points, and even if they remain seven points back, they are still in the hunt.

It gives them a chance to build a streak coming out of the break, which they’ll need to climb the ladder in the powerhouse Central division. If there is anything we’ve learned about this team in the past decade, it is that they are very capable of getting hot quickly. As such, this idea isn’t completely out of the question.

The roster is full of players with deep playoff experience, so they’re very capable of doing it again. They key is to play with consistency and drive, two things they’ve lacked for much of the season.

A lot also rides on the health of Corey Crawford, who has been the clear-cut MVP of the team thus far. The focus shouldn’t be on rushing him back; it should be on providing sufficient defensive help for their backups.

Split, no OT:

This scenario would likely put them back nine games, which is still doable. However, it definitely makes things tougher. There’s a 50 percent chance of building a winning streak, but even then, does it really guarantee that there is something to play for after the break?

If they continue to struggle, we could start hearing talks of Joel Quenneville being on the hot seat. This ultimately could lead to a more intense side of Quenneville (if you can imagine it) that could, hopefully, spark the team to life.

Split, with OT:

They salvage a point, and the most they could fall behind is eight points. This would be the second best scenario, leaving them very much in the hunt for a playoff spot and with a feeling that there’s something to play for.

Like the first scenario though, a lot rides on the health of Corey Crawford. Don’t rush him back; just play to the defensive capability that this team can.

Lose both, both OT:

This has to be the absolute bottom line for the team,  though two overtime losses could be a trend in the right direction considering the previous three games.

In this scenario, a lot rides on the first couple of games coming out of the break and whether this group has anything to play for. If the play remains the same as prior to the break, then it might be time to call it in and start moving some pieces to build a winning roster.

Lose both, no OT:

This situation is not ideal, but it is very likely considering the team is on a three-game skid right now and would only add to the inconsistencies this season.

After that, they would likely come out flat after the break, possibly costing Quenneville his job after the season. The front office would start moving key pieces around in hopes of jump-starting a quick rebuild to take advantage of Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane still in their prime years.

The problem is that in most cases, quick rebuilds usually don’t pay off.

Next: Good and bad of 'Hawks win streak

While they’re not in the most ideal position, the Chicago Blackhawks hold their own destiny in their hands. What they choose to do with it is completely up to how they play, and while it won’t mean the end of the world, it is very important to pick up some points going into a much-needed break.