Chicago Blackhawks Roundtable: Guest Analysts And Point Totals

Greg Bradshaw

Question 1: Daniel Carcillo. He’s definitely a favorite of mine and is playing a humongous role off the ice with his own nonprofit Chapter 5 Foundation. A true warrior on the ice and supporter of the game like “Car Bomb” could provide some seriously great insight for CSN and ‘Hawks fans.

Question 2: The Blackhawks currently sit atop the Central Division with 99 points and 10 games remaining on tap. Realistically, hockey is far too difficult to predict, but only three of the 10 remaining games feature threatening teams (March 29 at Pittsburgh, March 31 vs. Columbus and April 2 vs Boston).

A possible 20 points are up for grabs for the Blackhawks over the final stretch if he regular season. I’m going to say that the ‘Hawks successfully grab at least 15 of those points, bringing the possible finishing point total to 114. But, optimistically speaking, the Chicago Blackhawks are playing their best hockey of the year and could easily surpass that estimation.

Chicago Blackhawks

George Clifford

Question 1: Danny “Car Bomb” Carcillo would be my pick as a fascinating and entertaining addition to the Blackhawks Pregame/Postgame Live shows. He’s a credible, engaging and opinionated personality, admired throughout the entire NHL and greater Blackhawks community for his work with the Chicago-based Chapter 5 Foundation helping players build meaningful lives after hockey.

Carcillo actually has some broadcasting experience, and ‘Hawks fans may remember his short-lived WGN-AM radio show “The Bomb Shelter” which ran a handful of episodes back in 2011-2012.

But more to the point, Danny has a camera-friendly, rakish on-air appearance, friendly voice and keen hockey insight that would make an entertaining foil to studio host Pat Boyle and commentators Steve Konroyd and Jamal Mayers. The more I ponder this, I’m surprised it hasn’t already happened.

Question 2: I see the Blackhawks going 6-3-1 over the last 10 games of the regular season to finish with a record of 53-23-6 and 112 points. Historically, the ‘Hawks don’t finish the regular season on a winning note, and unless they’re in a tight battle with the Minnesota Wild for the Central Division crown, coach Joel Quenneville would probably prefer to rest his core players a bit before the playoffs begin.

The Blackhawks are on quite a roll right now, having won five straight games and 17 of the last 20 since the start of February, but down the final stretch they’ll face formidable opponents like Pittsburgh, Columbus and Boston, then finish the season with a three-game trip out West.

It won’t be easy, but the Blackhawks should still finish on top both the division and the Western Conference.