Chicago Blackhawks Morning Links- Reality Is Starting To Set In

Good morning Chicago Blackhawks fans! Reality is starting to set in that the Chicago Blackhawks will not be making the playoffs this year after another home loss last night to a divisional opponent. 

The sad part of it all is you know the script before it plays out.  The Chicago Blackhawks will play a very solid first period and go into the first intermission with a 1-0 lead.  Then they come out in the 2nd period and give up an early goal followed by another goal to trail their opponent.

All of this leads to a frantic third period where the Hawks may or may not tie up the game, but they still give up a third goal and then an empty net goal to lose 4-2.  It’s like watching Groundhog day over and over again, but in the end the reality is for the first time since Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane‘s rookie seasons it appears that the Chicago Blackhawks are going to miss the playoffs.

There are a lot of things to look forward to with all the youth on the team contributing, but the sad fact of the matter is they won’t be able to hold on to all of these guys because of all the money they have tied into the past with super long term deals worth a lot of money to Brent Seabrook and Jonathan Toews.  The problem with the team this season isn’t the youth it’s been the veterans that haven’t produced including Brandon Saad who really hasn’t done anything since his opening night hat trick.

The difference in these games is one little play so it’s not like back in the middle of the early 2000’s when the playoffs were a pipe dream.  The Hawks can make some changes this offseason and be right back, but this season is done with 28 games left unless the veterans on this team start playing like the dollars they get paid say how great they are.

Here are some morning links to start your Snow Day!

What did Joel Quenneville have to say after another loss last night (Blackhawks)

No one feels bad for the Chicago Blackhawks this season (Tribune)

The hard cold facts is that the Stars just swept the Blackhawks this season (SportsDay)

Looking for more balance on defense or grasping at straws (Daily Herald)

Frustration is really mounting with the Blackhawks core (CSN)

Alexandre Burrows was suspended for 10 games (USA)

What is Rick Nash‘s trade value right now (NHL)

Next: Just Say No To Kruger Reunion

What familiar faces will be playing in this years Olympics (Puck Daddy)