Second half full of intrigue for Hawks
The numbers don't lie. It's been a great first half of the season for the Blackhawks.
The Hawks sit fourth in the Western Conference with only 10 losses in regulation in 41 games (24-10-7), which puts them on a record-setting pace for the franchise of 110 points.
They are one of the highest scoring teams in the NHL, rank sixth on both the power play and penalty killing and had the fourth best team goals-against average (2.38) before Thursday's games.
"We're very pleased with it," Hawks coach Joel Quenneville said. "It's been a fun first half. We had a good couple of stretches, and home ice has been a key part of it.
"I think there has been contributions from all the lines, and the defense has been part of our offense. Goaltending has been a real strength for us and our special teams have been solid.
"I've been very happy with basically all aspects of our game, but we don't feel satisfied. We want to think we have to get better the second half of the season to challenge the top teams in our league and our conference."
It won't get any easier for the Hawks in the second half as they pursue their first playoff appearance since 2002. Teams already are gunning for them, knowing anything but their best won't be good enough.
Let's look ahead to five things to keep an eye on the rest of the way.
1. Can they keep it up?
"I think so," Patrick Kane said. "I think we have a great chance to keep up the pace. I don't see any reason why we can't."
Health, of course, is a key. The Hawks have been fortunate over the first half with injuries. Adam Burish missed 16 games, Aaron Johnson 11, Nikolai Khabibulin six and Kane two.
Their worst injury was James Wisniewski missing the first 28 games while recovering from off-season knee surgery. Now the Hawks are keeping their fingers crossed that Duncan Keith's head injury is not serious.
"We're playing good hockey and we can be excited about the fact we're a winning team and that we feel that we can beat anybody on a given night," Patrick Sharp said. "Staying healthy has helped us, and hopefully we can keep it up in the second half."
2. Watch out for February
Starting after the all-star break Jan. 28 to the end of February, the Hawks play 12 of 15 games on the road, where they have improved to 10-8-3 after an 0-3-1 start.
"We all know what's ahead," Brian Campbell said. "That's why it's important to push hard in these last (four) games before the break.
"We want to improve our road record because that's the sign of a good team. And we've got to learn to be better playing with the lead."
3. What does Dale do?
General manager Dale Tallon is in a tough spot. Does he tinker with what is great chemistry on and off the ice, or does he make a bold move ahead of the March 4 trade deadline?
Tallon would love to add a big center, but it might be easier said than done. Finding a top-six winger might be more feasible considering the Hawks don't have much to spend under the salary cap.
Two of the biggest names that might be on the move before the deadline are Tampa Bay center Vincent Lecavalier and Florida defenseman Jay Bouwmeester, but the Hawks don't figure to be in on any of that action.
A veteran forward with leadership ability might be on Tallon's radar, perhaps someone such as Bill Guerin of the Islanders. Would the Blues deal Keith Tkachuk to their Central Division rival? Just asking.
Khabibulin and Martin Havlat will be unrestricted free agents after the season and could still be trade bait, although both veterans continue to be key contributors and might be more valuable staying put.
4. Beating the best
The Hawks have failed to beat Detroit and San Jose in six tries and might need to do so to gain some confidence for the playoffs.
"We have to learn how to win those games," Kane said.
The Hawks won't see the Red Wings again until the final two games of the season. They meet the Sharks two more times as well on Jan. 31 in San Jose and March 25 at the UC.
5. Feeling the heat
The Hawks are the youngest team in the NHL with not a lot of playoff experience. How will they hold up down the stretch with everything tightens up?
At least it's going to be fun to watch.
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