Don’t Let the Door Crack Open for a Second! Fast Start is Key to Chicago Blackhawks Playoff Success

Apr 26, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; The Chicago Blackhawks celebrate a victory against the Calgary Flames at the United Center. The Blackhawks beat the Flames 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports

Riddle me this: What’s the point in a trophy that’s all but pointless at the end of the day, if you cannot reap the benefits of being the team with the most points?

The answer is that there is no point.  Hopefully the Chicago Blackhawks realize this.

The main spoil to the victor of the Presidents Trophy is the guarantee of having home-ice advantage throughout the playoffs.  Meaning that the first two games of every playoff series featuring the Blackhawks, will be played at the United Center.

What’s the point in having the home-ice advantage?  Well, statistically speaking, the team that plays on their home-ice, usually wins.  So, that means the Blackhawks have the advantage of being strongly able to start every playoff series with a comfortable 2 games to none advantage over every team.  A 2 games to none advantage puts the team on the losing end in a sort of panic mode.  A mode that sends them back to the drawing board, because their game plan isn’t working, and they don’t have the comfort of the regular season relaxation to make them feel better.

Of course, crazy things have happened to where a 2 games to none lead wasn’t enough to eventually send to team on the positive end to the next round, but we are speaking statistically here.

The Blackhawks will have wasted the Presidents Trophy if they do not take advantage of the home-ice advantage throughout the Playoffs.

Remember, at the end of the post-season, no body remembers who won the President’s Trophy.  To every team in the playoffs, all that matters now, is Lord Stanley’s Cup.