Chicago Blackhawks Roundtable: Central Division And Cameos

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Jan 24, 2017; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Brian Campbell (51) takes a shot during the first period against the Tampa Bay Lightning at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports /

The Chicago Blackhawks roundtable today is mixing the serious on the ice with the not-so-serious off it

If the Chicago Blackhawks are stressing you out (which, before the postseason, they probably shouldn’t be), what do you turn to as a calming mechanism? Perhaps the only correct answer right now is “Soup And A Sandwich.”

Yes, the ridiculous web series starring Brian Campbell and Artemi Panarin, which is already three episodes long. All of them have been so hilariously strange, and hopefully there’s more to come.

We’re going to touch on that in today’s Chicago Blackhawks roundtable to go along with a more serious topic: the Central Division. Though there are plenty of games left in the regular season, it seems like the Minnesota Wild are just on a war path to the title.

Still, the Blackhawks and Wild have to meet a few more times this season (Wednesday marking the first of those instances), and Minnesota could start to struggle and render its games in hand meaningless.

But there’s a fair chance we’re going to see the fourth different Central Division winner in the last four seasons at this rate — either the Wild or the Blackhawks. Yes, consider the Blackhawks haven’t even won the Central the last three seasons. It was Dallas in 2016, St. Louis in 2015 and Colorado in 2014.

That won’t stop us from looking a little closer at the Central Division today to go along with our “Soup And A Sandwich.” So, on to the roundtable questions.

Question 1: Where do you think the Blackhawks will finish in the Central Division race and why?

Question 2: Who do you think would make a good guest on the “Soup And A Sandwich” web series and why?

Let’s see what our group of experts came up with this week.

Feb 4, 2017; Dallas, TX, USA; Chicago Blackhawks right wing Marian Hossa (81) and center Jonathan Toews (19) celebrate a goal against the Dallas Stars during the third period at the American Airlines Center. The Blackhawks defeat the Stars 5-3. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

Greg Bradshaw

Question 1: I think more than likely the Blackhawks will finish the year right where they are now. Minnesota is playing very well. Possibly better than the previous couple of seasons where we’ve seen streaks of brilliant hockey from the Wild.

I think Minnesota will hold the Central Division and the ‘Hawks will keep right on their tail. Also keep in mind that Minnesota has a few games in hand on the Chicago Blackhawks, which may be a huge factor come crunch time.

George Clifford

Question 1: Second place. The Blackhawks would have to generate an epic run down the stretch to overtake the Minnesota Wild, who are playing championship-caliber hockey with three games in hand. Looking down, Nashville, St. Louis and Winnipeg will be fighting for third place and a wild-card slot.

The Predators seem to be finding their game, but are too inconsistent to make up much ground on the ‘Hawks and will likely finish in third. The Jets have problems in net and a weak blueline, while the Blues are still in turmoil after last week’s coaching change and the loss for the rest of the season of center Robby Fabbri.

Question 2: I would like to see Michal Kempny make a cameo appearance on “Soup And A Sandwich.” His deadpan, penetrating gaze and marginal English would be a nice fit with the dark, indie vibe of the show.

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Sean Fitzgerald

Question 1: The Blackhawks are going to finish second in the Central Division. The Wild are playing well under Bruce Boudreau and are 7-3 in their last 10 games.

The ’Hawks during that time are 5-5. With three games in hand and a four-point lead on the ’Hawks, the Wild seemed to be poised to win the division. The ’Hawks do have an 11-point lead on Nashville, so unless a collapse happens, second place is sealed up.

Question 2: I think Artem Anisimov would be a great guest on “Soup And A Sandwich.” Anisimov could speak in Russian to Panarin while Campbell just sits there in awkward silence waiting for them to answer in English.

He and Panarin can talk about the Russian soups that would go with Panera Bread. After a long Russian conversation, Panarin would say hot soups go with Panera Bread. Campbell would be shocked and say that’s all we have for this week’s “Soup And A Sandwich.”

Gail Kauchak

Question 1: I think the standings at the end of the season will be the same as they are right now. The Nashville Predators are currently in third place, with only 58 points. I don’t foresee either Winnipeg or St. Louis (especially with the Robby Fabbri injury for the Blues) giving them any trouble.

It’s very hard to imagine the Preds catching up to the ’Hawks (69 points). They’re just too far behind, and even with the ’Hawks’ inconsistencies, they’re pretty consistent about winning more often than losing.

Chicago Blackhawks

That being said, I don’t think the ’Hawks will be able to catch the Wild (73 points). The Wild are on fire right now, and even though they will hit some rough patches and start losing some games, they’re still going to win the Central.

So it will be the ’Hawks and the Preds in the first round of the playoffs, just like 2015. Except this time the Hawks will have home-ice advantage, and they won’t need Scott Darling.

Question 2: I have a pretty creative family, because we came up with this together over dinner the other night. Bear with me, I’m no good at screenwriting. Please note that this episode takes place outside.

Brian Campbell: “Welcome back to another episode of “Soup And A Sandwich.” My co-host, Artemi, and I have worked some things out since last episode (shoots Panarin a dirty look). He now fully understands his role as co-host, and mine as host.”

“OK, so as you can see, we are outdoors today (swats at an apparent mosquito) to show you some activities us hockey players enjoy in the great outdoors (swats at another mosquito). Artemi, could you show us (swats at a mosquito) … geez, what’s with the mosquitoes out here! I need some Off!”

Enter Artem Anisimov, who goes straight up to Campbell and swats a mosquito off the back of his head. Campbell storms off the set, and Panarin and Anisimov look at each other and shrug.

Colin Likas

Question 1: The Blackhawks seem destined to keep up their run of not winning the Central Division. I think they’ll stick in second place the rest of the way, getting home-ice advantage in just the first round of the postseason.

Even if the Blackhawks manage to win all three of their remaining games against the Wild — a heck of an order considering the struggles Chicago has had with this opponent — Minnesota is going to ride its seemingly never-ending hot stretch to a division crown.

The three games in hand will wind up making a world of difference, especially if the Blackhawks do solve the Wild in these remaining regular-season games. The Blackhawks will more than likely watch the Wild pile up more points while playing a few fewer games.

Nashville is the only legitimate threat to second place for the Blackhawks, and that just doesn’t seem to be a terribly legitimate threat at this time.

Question 2: Niklas Hjalmarsson. I feel like Hjammer is secretly one of the funniest guys on the team but just hides it behind bigger personalities. He’s had some fun with food before as well.

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I think Campbell would bring in Hjalmarsson expecting to get some support from his fellow blueliner, but Hjammer would end up just making more trouble with Panarin, causing Campbell and storm off set. I’d watch it.

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