Chicago Blackhawks’ big week starts Wednesday
By Tim Healey
Chicago Blackhawks’ have another challenging, important week ahead, but Crow returns
When a team puts itself in a huge hole to start a season and fires its long-time head coach like the Chicago Blackhawks did, yet somehow manages to find itself back in the playoff race, just about every week after the All-Star game is a make or break week.
Yet, this coming week might actually be the one that springs the Blackhawks into a playoff spot – or dooms them to another year of springtime golf.
Sure, there are no guarantees that six out of a possible six points from the upcoming road trip to California will be enough, just as the Hawks may not be done even if they get blanked. Obviously, the performance of other teams chasing a spot will have an impact.
Thing is, this goes beyond points. Long-time goaltending stalwart Corey Crawford may play for the first time after missing 28 games due to a concussion. And given that he’s an unrestricted free agent after next year, his play for the rest of the season, as well as his ability to shake off the rust of rest, bears watching no matter what happens in the standings.
On top of that, the Hawks stood pat during Monday’s NHL trade deadline. Not making any moves makes sense, but it also sends a few messages, intentionally or not, from the front office. One is that the front office doesn’t believe the Hawks are serious enough Cup contenders to go after a rental player.
Another (somewhat contradictory) message is that even if the Hawks aren’t poised for a deep run, perhaps this group is enough to at least get them to the postseason. Finally, it shows that the front office is willing to continue to build around this group next year, although there will, of course, be offseason moves.
To recap: The Hawks are going to war with this group for the remainder of the season, and one of their stars will be back. The rest of the season starts now with a three-game road trip that could go a long way in determining how the 2018-2019 season ends.
Next. Blackhawks fans having fun once again. dark
Few observers expect the Hawks to go beyond the first round should they qualify for postseason play, but on the other hand, stranger things have happened. If the Hawks want to be one of those teams that go on a surprise playoff run, what happens between Wednesday and Monday could be the difference between that and sitting out.
The final chapter of this season’s story starts on Wednesday.