Chicago Blackhawks: The youth movement has jumped on the express lane
The Chicago Blackhawks might not be the cellar dwellers many expected. Their play of late has been excellent after a horrendous start to the season. The Blackhawks’ last four games have against the Florida Panthers and Dallas Stars, two of the Central Division’s top teams. After their second straight overtime win against the Stars, the Hawks took seven out of a possible eight points from good opponents and have notched at least a point in nine of their last 10 games.
Aside from Patrick Kane, who has been outstanding, it’s the young guys who are providing the excitement. No conversation about the improving Blackhawks can begin without first mentioning goaltender Kevin Lankinen. The Finnish product has been terrific since earning the starting nod. After allowing five goals in his NHL debut, Lankinen has given up just 15 goals in nine starts.
The Hawks are 5-1-3 when Lankinen leads the team onto the ice. Backup Malcolm Subban has been strong in his last two starts. Goaltending looked like a black hole for the Blackhawks entering the season, but now it could be a strength.
The Chicago Blackhawks were supposed to be really bad. That may not be the case.
Tuesday night’s overtime win against the Stars was thanks to a brilliant goal by Pius Suter off a sharp pass from Brandon Hagel. Prior to the season, many Hawks fans likely had no idea who Suter and Hagel were, but they know now. The 24-year-old Suter has looked better with every game and currently leads all NHL rookies with five goals. Hagel’s speed set up Suter’s game-winner and while the Saskatoon native only has a pair of assists, he’s been among the team’s best players multiple nights.
On the blue line, Duncan Keith and Calvin de Haan have provided the veteran leadership needed, but a couple of the rookies have shown promise. Nicolas Beaudin was expected to stay with the Hawks for a short time, while Adam Boqvist recovered from COVID-19. Thankfully, Boqvist is back but Beaudin likely isn’t going anywhere. The Hawks’ second first-round pick in 2018 has made some rookie mistakes, but he appears ready for the big time. Speaking of Boqvist, it’s been a bit of a rough go for the Swede who was selected 19 picks before Beaudin, but at only 20-years-old, Boqvist still has a great chance to be an impact defenseman.
dark. Next. The stars align on Super Sunday
Toss in a rejuvenated Alex DeBrincat, a veteran with moxie in Mattias Janmark, some toughness from human pitbull Andrew Shaw, and you have a team that could sneak into the playoffs. The championship window that brought three Stanley Cups in six years along with the sunshine is closed, but the future looks much brighter than it did a few weeks ago.