Chicago Blackhawks: Focus On The Positive

By Gail Kauchak | Nov 5, 2015

Nov 4, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks right wing Patrick Kane (left) is congratulated for scoring by center Andrew Shaw (center) and center Jonathan Toews (right) during the first period against the St. Louis Blues at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

Yes, I know the Chicago Blackhawks had a heartbreaking loss Wednesday night to their division rival St. Louis Blues. They lost the game in overtime by the score of 6-5, after being up 5-2 in the first period. All the Blackhawk’s hockey circles have been nothing but doom and gloom for the past two days.

But let’s not forget that the Hawks also beat their fellow Western Conference rivals the LA Kings 4-2 on Monday, and they have accumulated three out of four points so far this week. So instead of dwelling on the negative, let’s take a look at some positives for our Chicago Blackhawks!

The Hawks are scoring! Remember the last couple week’s when the team was in a scoring slump? Well this week that all seems to be changing. The Hawks have scored 9 goals in the last two games, with goals and assists coming from all kinds of people and places.

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Patrick Kane has led the way in the points department. He accumulated a goal and an assist in each of the last two games, for 4 points. He also led the team with 9 shots on goal.

Teuvo Teravainen has scored 2 goals and also earned an assist in the last 2 games, since he’s been playing on the second line. Please leave him be, Coach Q! Brent Seabrook has a goal and 2 assists. This gives both players 3 points. Jonathan Toews, Artem Anisimov, and Andrew Shaw all have picked up a goal and an assist, giving them 2 points apiece.

And let’s not forget Marko Dano, who was FINALLY brought up from the Rockford IceHogs, and scored his first goal as a Chicago Blackhawk against the Blues. Then we have Artemi Panarin, Ryan Garbutt, Trevor Daley, Viktor Svedberg, and Ryan Hartman, all with an assist apiece.

That’s seven players with goals, and twelve players with points, in the last two contests. It’s nice to see everyone sharing the load. If this continues, it could spell very good things for the Chicago Blackhawks. Here’s my favorite goal of the week so far.

Trevor van Riemsdyk is playing well. Don’t look now, but Trevor van Riemsdyk is quietly holding his own so far this year. At the beginning of the season, it was assumed that Duncan Keith, Seabrook, Niklas Hjalmarsson, and Daley would be the top four defensemen. But with the injury to Keith, and Daley not exactly living up to expectations, TVR has been paired with Niklas Hjalmarsson and assigned to a top-four role.

He does not look out of place. In the last two contests, he has played 22:33 and 24:26 minutes of ice time, respectively. He’s spent this time not only on even strength, but on the power play, penalty kill, and in overtime. If this doesn’t show Coach Q’s trust, I’m not sure what does.

Strong defense is probably going to be a problem all year long for the Chicago Blackhawks. But I think Trevor van Riemsdyk is going to be more a part of the solution than the problem.

The future looks bright. The Blackhawks finish out the week with tilts against the New Jersey Devils tonight, and the Edmonton Oilers on Sunday. Neither one of these teams is all that good, so the Hawks SHOULD be able to capitalize. I say “should” because I’m choosing to focus on the positive. Corey Crawford had an off night on Wednesday, but he will bounce back. And if the Hawks can keep up the scoring, they should be alright.

After that, the Chicago Blackhawks play the Devils again, the St. Louis Blues (revenge!), and then the Calgary Flames (who currently sit at the bottom of the Pacific Division).

Finally, the team finishes out the month of November by embarking on their six game circus trip. How is this a positive, you ask? The Hawks have only won one of their five away games! Well it is a positive, I tell you! This is a time for the team to bond, and focus on nothing but hockey. No outside distractions. It will be a good way to really settle into this young season.

So there you have it. The glass is half full. The Chicago Blackhawks have a lot of good things going for them that they can continue to build on.

What are some positives that you see for the Chicago Blackhawks? Feel free to leave your comments in the section below.

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