Chicago Blackhawks: Alex DeBrincat’s big night leads to win

It is officially a four-game win streak for the Chicago Blackhawks. After dropping 11 of their first 12 games, it is finally looking up. They have beaten some weaker opponents but it is hard to say who is actually weaker than a team like this. What we do know, is that their 4-2 victory over the Seattle Kraken was much needed.

Chicago earned a win in large part because Alex DeBrincat had an A+ performance. He accumulated a goal, an assist, and a fight to complete the famous Gordie Howe hat trick. Without a performance like that, Chicago might not have had the offense that they needed to win.

It should also be known that Patrick Kane was a big part of it as well. He didn’t have a fight (which is the least bit shocking) but he did have a goal and an assist. We all know how important number 88 is to this team’s success and he played like a star in Seattle.

The first goal of the game was a special one for fans of USA hockey. Seth Jones joined the rush to score a sweet goal (300th career point) on a feed from DeBrincat. It was Kane who broke those two out so all three American-born players created the goal. Kane and Jones were already named to Team USA and you have to figure that DeBrincat will be on that team as well.

It would be cool to see Marc-Andre Fleury represent Canada at the Olympics as well. He played like someone who deserves it in this game against the Kraken. He made 31 saves on 33 shots to preserve the win for the Hawks. Fleury was particularly good in the second and third periods as Seattle bombarded him with lots of high danger chances.

One of the biggest differences for the Hawks lately has been goaltending. Fleury is the reigning Vezina Trophy winner and he needs to play to that level for the Hawks to be successful. When he plays like that, there is a good chance that they win. Seattle would have tied it after going down 3-0 if Fleury wasn’t sensational.

The Chicago Blackhawks have a rising stock now after four straight wins.

Now, following this big win over the Seattle Kraken, the Hawks will show the world exactly what they are. A three-game visit through Western Canada to close out the road trip will be very telling. The Vancouver Canucks are struggling hard but the Edmonton Oilers and Calgary Flames are amazing.

They are going to need the likes of Patrick Kane, Alex DeBrincat, and Marc-Andre Fleury amongst others to make an impact if they are going to prove some people wrong. If they come out as they did against the Kraken, things will go very well.