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Chicago Blackhawks’ 5 More Reasons They’ll Win 2017 Stanley Cup

By Mario Tirabassi
Jun 15, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks center Jonathan Toews hoists the Stanley Cup after defeating the Tampa Bay Lightning in game six of the 2015 Stanley Cup Final at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 15, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks center Jonathan Toews hoists the Stanley Cup after defeating the Tampa Bay Lightning in game six of the 2015 Stanley Cup Final at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 15, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Duncan Keith (2) and center Jonathan Toews (19) and right wing Patrick Kane (88) celebrate a goal by defenseman Brent Seabrook (7) against the Toronto Maple Leafs during the second period at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Blackhawks Finally Have Fresh Legs

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For the first time since the end of the 2011-12 season, the Blackhawks will have a full 4 1/2 months of rest before the start of training camp in September. Even then, the 2012-13 season was shortened due to the lockout, so even more time was taken off. What happened in 2013? Something about a 17-second time span or something like that? I don’t know, not too sure.

Check it out: Blackhawks Will Be All Over Your TV In 2016-17

The Blackhawks losing to the St. Louis Blues in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs this spring may have been a much-needed blessing in disguise. With many of the core players in Chicago having National Team duties on top of their full NHL schedule, some Blackhawks have been playing an average of 90-95-plus games per year since 2009.

That’s a lot of hockey year in and year out.

This season, the Blackhawks will be sending 11 players to the World Cup of Hockey in Toronto. But the tournament will serve as more of an intense preseason warmup than a midseason distraction like the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver or the 2014 Sochi Olympics.

It’s too easy and too cliché to say, “Well, if they stay healthy, they have a chance,” because every team has a chance if nothing goes wrong for them. Well, almost every team, but the point is clear: If the Blackhawks have their freshest hockey legs underneath them in 2016-17, a deep Stanley Cup Playoffs run could be in the works.

Next: Blue-Line Boost

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