The Weekly Macklin Celebrini Watch: Chicago Blackhawks Barely Leading In The Race For Best NHL Draft Lottery Odds

The Chicago Blackhawks are getting tired of losing but if it means getting the chance to draft another generational talent with the No. 1 overall pick, it will have been worth it.

Currently, the Blackhawks are clinging to a one-point lead over the San Jose Sharks in the Tankathon.com/NHL standings.

Both teams are in the middle of a six-game winless streak although the Hawks picked up a point in the standings with an overtime loss to the Detroit Red Wings on Sunday to tie the Sharks with 35 points. The Hawks still have this slim lead thanks to the Sharks losing in a shootout to the Dallas Stars. It would have been nice to see the Sharks win the shootout and pick up two points, but settling for one is fine when it comes to the tanking standings.

For the second consecutive week, the Hawks head into this week clinging to this small lead over the Sharks.

Is there a chance for the Blackhawks to get some room in the standings from the Sharks?

Yes, since the Chicago Blackhawks play three road games this week. The Blackhawks have not won on the road since early November of 2023. Think about it, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's, Martin Luther King Jr., and Presidents Day have passed since then. The Hawks have to go to Colorado on Monday where the Avalanche blew out the Blackhawks last Thursday.

The Hawks have to travel to Arizona to play the Coyotes to finish up a back-to-back. That means there is a chance Arvid Soderblom starts in goal for the Hawks. That usually means Chicago will give up at least four goals. Even if Soderblom does not start, the Blackhawks will be returning to the Mullett Arena where they got crushed 8-1 in late October.

The Blackhawks then finish up the road trip with a Saturday matchup against the Washington Capitals. The Caps are 6-2-2 over their past 10 games and are trying to keep their Wild Card hopes alive.