Chicago Blackhawks: 3 players who need to improve post-bye week

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - JANUARY 11: Sam Steel #34 of the Anaheim Ducks tries to get off a shot against (l-R) Olli Maatta #6, John Quenneville #47, Robin Lehner #40, Slater Koekkoek #68 and Alex Nylander #92 of the Chicago Blackhawks at the United Center on January 11, 2020 in Chicago, Illinois. The Blackhawks defeated the Ducks 4-2. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - JANUARY 11: Sam Steel #34 of the Anaheim Ducks tries to get off a shot against (l-R) Olli Maatta #6, John Quenneville #47, Robin Lehner #40, Slater Koekkoek #68 and Alex Nylander #92 of the Chicago Blackhawks at the United Center on January 11, 2020 in Chicago, Illinois. The Blackhawks defeated the Ducks 4-2. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /
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Chicago Blackhawks Patrick Kane
(Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

The Chicago Blackhawks have been good to end at the end of the pre-bye week schedule but there is still some room for improvement.

The Chicago Blackhawks need to be one heck of a hockey team in the second half if they are going to make it to the playoffs. They have a lot of talent but have just recently been putting it all together.

The Hawks have had good goaltending and some elite stars up front that are producing with the best of them. They enter the bye week and All-Star break just three points back of the second Wild Card spot in the Western Conference.

They went into the break winning five of their last six games. This little streak has put them right where that roster belongs in the middle of all of the bubble teams. They are not the elite team that they once were but still have a very good core that can get it done. If they come out of the break flying with the same momentum, this team has a real chance at the playoffs.

Of course, in order for a team like this from the playoffs, everyone needs to buy-in. It can’t just be Patrick Kane and the goalies otherwise the ship is going to sink. This is a good team that has already shown that when everyone plays to their strengths, they can be a team that wins lots of hockey games.

Almost everyone has started to do that over the last two weeks. If these three guys can keep getting better in the second half, then the Blackhawks will have a great shot at making it to the playoffs: