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Chicago Blackhawks: 3 reasons they will make the playoffs

By Vincent Parise

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - JANUARY 21: Patrick Kane #88 of the Chicago Blackhawks celebrates after scoring a third period goal against the Florida Panthers at the United Center on January 21, 2020 in Chicago, Illinois. The Panthers defeated the Blackhawks 4-3. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - JANUARY 21: Patrick Kane #88 of the Chicago Blackhawks celebrates after scoring a third period goal against the Florida Panthers at the United Center on January 21, 2020 in Chicago, Illinois. The Panthers defeated the Blackhawks 4-3. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /
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Chicago Blackhawks Patrick Kane
(Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /

The Top Line

Patrick Kane needs to be elite by himself for this team to make it to the playoffs. That does not mean he can be the only one scoring with regularity in order for this team to be in the big dance come springtime. They need at least one more line to contribute regularly and another to be there some of the time. That line that can be there with legit regularity is the top line. Believe it or not, Kane does not play on the top line.

It was a part of the plan for him to play with Jonathan Toews as they did for a lot of the 2018-19 season but that just hasn’t happened. The top line currently consists of Toews with Dominik Kubalik and Drake Caggiula on his wings. Toews and Kubalik have come to know some very good chemistry lately. They are both playing very well right now for the Hawks. They create a lot for each other and themselves. It has really helped in the Blackhawks’ quest to get back into the playoff race.

It has been the necessary play that a team needs from its top line. Each guy has contributed to their skillset and scored some goals. Everything starts and ends with Jonathan Toews for that line which is exactly the way it should be. Toews is also elite in all three zones. He is one of the best two-way forwards of all time which allows the other guys to play their game. If this line can keep it up, they will be in the playoffs.

There is no guarantee that they will be in the playoffs but if all three of these things happen then there is a very good chance that they will be. Each of them focuses on a different area of the game that makes the team a successful one. The stretch immediately following the All-Star break is extremely important and should determine how things are going to go.

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