Chicago Blackhawks Hot And Not: Nick Schmaltz, Patrick Kane Impress

Writing up a Chicago Blackhawks Hot and Not post is practically effortless when the team is riding a six-game point streak

The Chicago Blackhawks’ point spree could not have come at a better time. With the Minnesota Wild dropping five of their last six decisions, the ’Hawks have surpassed them for first in the Central Division. They’re now six points ahead of their rival with nine games remaining. They are also the first Western team to hit 100 points.

The Blackhawks are 7-2-1 in their last 10 games, their five-game win streak being snapped last night by the Vancouver Canucks. Not only are they leading their division, but they’re also the top seed in the Western Conference.

The Wild somehow still have one game in hand on the Blackhawks. But instead of focusing on the standings, let’s discuss which Blackhawks have been successful as of late, and which are going cold. Here are the Blackhawks who are hot, as well as the ones who are not.

Who’s Hot: Patrick Kane

Here is a question we constantly ask ourselves: “Is Patrick Kane hot right now?” Instead, we should question when he isn’t hot.

Since January 1, Kane has 43 points (21  goals, 22 assists). He leads the team in goals, assists, points, powerplay points and shots on goal. In his last six games, he’s tallied 3 goals and 6 assists. That’s good for 9 points, which is … you know, good.

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He’s also leading the team in average time on ice per game this season (21:31). So not only is he racking up the points, but he’s playing heavy minutes too, without being on the penalty kill.

In Toronto, Kane was shockingly held scoreless. He then proceeded to collect two points against Colorado, including the first goal off a 2-on-1 with Artemi Panarin, because of course. He also collected an assist in the Blackhawks’ almost-comeback against the Canucks last night.

He’s been a different player in the second half of the season from the first half. Remember when no one thought he was going to crack 30 goals again this season?

Who’s Not: Marcus Kruger

Kruger has been practically invisible on the ice lately, and I can’t tell if that’s a good thing or a bad thing. Against the Avalanche on Sunday, he scored his first goal since December 1, only his sixth of the season. It was an empty-netter to make the score 6-3 ’Hawks.

Kruger was out with injury for a good amount of time, but he should be playing a little bit more like we know Kruger can play than he has been. While everyone has been collecting points, it seems he can’t find a way to even grab a secondary assists here or there.

He has four (!) points since returning from injury. He has to figure out a plan to collect more points, or in some way contribute a little bit more offensively.

Who’s Hot: Scott Darling & Corey Crawford

Let’s take out last night’s game against the Canucks, and sort of pretend it didn’t happen. Part of the reason the Blackhawks are on a six-game point streak is because of this dynamic duo.

Crawford and Darling, together, have averaged a .944 save percentage before the game against the Canucks. That’s off the charts, and it’s no wonder the ’Hawks are the leading team in the Western Conference now.

It wasn’t his best performance, but Darling collected a 6-3 win over the league’s worst team on Sunday. But in the game before that against Ottawa, he stopped 33 of 34 shots to secure the 2-1 win. In three of his last five appearances, he’s had to stop over 30 shots. Darling has also won fix of his last six decisions.

Chicago Blackhawks

Say what you want, but Crawford has been pretty decent this season. OK, more than decent. I’d even go as for to say good. In the games against the Wild and Canadiens, he stopped 44 and 42 shots, respectively, to lead to Blackhawks to wins. In three of his last five games, he’s had a save percentage above .950.

All of these numbers are fantastic. And if the Blackhawks are going to make a deep run in the playoffs (which it’s looking more and more likely), these two are going to have to be the backbone of the team.

Who’s Not: Brian Campbell

I don’t want to be too harsh on the guy. But for someone who was signed to help out offensively (especially on the back end of the powerplay), Campbell is just not doing what he needs to do for the Blackhawks.

Since January 1, he has seven assists, and that’s it. Along with not producing in the points category, Campbell’s defense has been lackluster, at best. Sometimes it’s brain farts, and sometimes he tosses the puck away from his stick like it’s on fire.

What’s said about defensemen is if you don’t notice them, then they played well. And Campbell has been very noticeable lately. He needs to be more effective if he wants to stay in the lineup.