Chicago Blackhawks Roundtable: Guest Analysts And Point Totals

Colin Likas

Question 1: This is something we’ve seen on the national level, but I’d be interested in seeing Brent Sopel return to the broadcast booth, this time with the Blackhawks.

Sopel and his incredible mustache made the rounds on NBC and its affiliates during the postseason a few years ago. He’s gone through quite a bit since leaving the game, as he detailed in a recent article for The Players Tribune. With his personal battles seemingly in hand, it’d be a great time for him to return to the air.

Sopel has excellent hockey knowledge, a one-time Stanley Cup winner (in Chicago) with 730 games of NHL experience. Bring back the mustache!

Question 2: The Blackhawks sit on 99 points with 10 games remaining, and they’re also trying to hold off the Minnesota Wild for the Central Division lead and Wild and San Jose Sharks for the Western Conference title.

Chicago Blackhawks

So the team has something to play for, which will hopefully go against its typical stroll through the end of the regular season. There are some tough games on this final slate (Pittsburgh and Columbus), and various games against teams fighting for a postseason spot/positioning (Boston, Tampa Bay, Anaheim, Los Angeles).

Still, the Blackhawks are playing with a really impressive confidence right now, from the forwards to the goaltenders. I’ll say they take 14 of the final 20 possible points to finish the regular season at 113 points. Should be plenty good enough to take the Western Conference. The President’s Cup … we’ll have to wait and see.

Juliana Nikac

Question 1: I would love to see any former Blackhawks on the pregame/postgame shows. I really just love having them on because they’re all filled with so much knowledge from their careers. It’s always great to see what they have to say.

I think the former Blackhawk I would enjoy seeing try out this role would be Bryan Bickell, even though he’s still in the National Hockey League. Not only would he be great entertainment, but he’s been through a lot in his career.

He might not have the most hockey knowledge, but he has enough to be on the show. Blackhawks fans still love him and care about him even though there were times they were frustrated with him when he was in Chicago.

Question 2: I see the Blackhawks finishing with around 110 points. It’s hard to make a complete prediction of course, but let’s say they finish with 109 points. That’s perfectly reasonable.

The team has played really well as of late, but still has not met its potential, in my opinion. There’s a couple of different areas the Blackhawks can improve on. And the next couple of weeks are going to be rough.

Even though only four out of the 10 teams they’re going to play are in a playoff spot, there’s still a few teams, like Tampa and Florida, that are a challenge. Points are up in the air for the Blackhawks.

Next: 5 Thoughts On Comeback Win Over Colorado

They could possibly win all of their last 10 games. And if they play like they did in the third period of the game against the Avalanche last night, there’s no reason why they shouldn’t collect most of the points up for grabs.