Chicago Blackhawks: Need to run the table on this road trip
The Chicago Blackhawks are in trouble. They need to pretty much run the table on the rest of this road trip to have a chance at the playoffs.
The Chicago Blackhawks are in big trouble. They haven’t earned a win on this Western Canadian road trip and haven’t won at all in five straight games. They have collected a couple of points in overtime losses but they haven’t won since February 1st. They need to get this turned around quickly otherwise they will be watching the playoffs from home for the third straight season.
They have two games left on this road trip. The first one is against the Calgary Flames and the second one is against the Winnipeg Jets. Both of those Pacific Division foes believe they should be in the playoffs themselves come April. They are right there with the Hawks in the Western Conference Wild Card picture. The Flames hold the top Wild Card spot while the Jets are one point out of the second spot held by the Arizona Coyotes.
The trade deadline is February 24th. If the Blackhawks aren’t looking like they have a chance to make it they need to sell. If they get within a point or two you might see them be buyers or stand pat. That is why running the table is so important to this road trip because nobody wants to see them be sellers. It would be another wasted year of Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane‘s prime if they don’t make it to the playoffs.
It doesn’t get much easier once they return home. The New York Rangers and Nashville Predators will come to the United Center to play them. The New York Rangers are further out of the Eastern Conference playoffs than the Hawks are in the West but they have more points. The Predators are closer to the playoff line than Chicago is so they are equally as desperate.
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If they repeat the way the played against the Vancouver Canucks on Wednesday, they have a good chance to win. Not many goalies will make 49 saves on 49 shots like Jacob Markstrom did so just play like that again and they should win. This is almost a do or die situation for them so hopefully, they can take care of business.