Upcoming road trip will test if Blackhawks are true contenders
“On the road again.The Blackhawks just can't wait to get on the road again.The life they love is winning games with their friends.They just can't wait to get on the road again.#8221;
In normal times, Willie Nelson's iconic song may ring true for many Hawks. Road trips are often where friendships are forged, teams get closer and a true sense of brothership takes place.
These, of course, are not normal times.
#8220;Yeah, it's boring. That's for sure,#8221; said Hawks forward Dylan Strome when asked what traveling around the country is like in the age of coronavirus. #8220;We've got to stay in our hotel rooms. ... You're used to going out for dinner on the road or whatever it may be #8212; having friends come watch the game or you see them after the game. ...
#8220;It's not as fun, but we're making the most of it.#8221;
The next 11 days figure to be challenging ones for the Hawks as they embark on a six-game trip to Detroit, Carolina and Columbus. Their next home games aren't until February 27-28 vs. Detroit.
It's an important stretch for the surprising squad, which is 7-5-4 overall and 7-2-3 in its last 12 games.
When the season began almost nobody gave the Hawks a chance to qualify for the postseason. And, honestly, that's probably still the case.
But coach Jeremy Colliton's squad is tied for fifth in the Central Division with Columbus in points percentage at .563. Dallas (5-3-4, .583) is barely ahead in the fourth and final playoff spot.
With 40 games remaining, it's obviously a bit silly to be talking about the playoffs. Still, a road trip like this could give us a good indication if Patrick Kane, Duncan Keith and Co. have staying power.
#8220;We're almost in February of a normal season (and) coming to crunchtime,#8221; Strome said. #8220;You're against your division. Every point and every game matters.#8221;
Anything north of 7 standings points in these six games would have to be considered a win. Sweeping hapless Detroit (4-10-2) would be a good way to start. If they pull that off, the Hawks only need 3 points against Carolina (9-3-0, 3-0-0 at home) and Columbus (7-5-4, 4-2-2 at home).
Then sweep the Red Wings again at the end of February and who knows? Maybe a confident, improving bunch of Hawks navigate an absolutely brutal March stretch that includes five matchups against Tampa Bay and four against Florida.
It all starts Monday in Detroit, the Motor City.
So buckle up and enjoy the ride.
Cat scratch fever:
Alex DeBrincat, whose goal in overtime gave the Hawks a 3-2 victory over Columbus on Saturday, has scored six times in the last five games.
It's his hottest stretch since he scored 7 goals in five games late in the 2018-19 season. In that 41-goal campaign, DeBrincat also had a pair of runs where he scored seven times in seven games.
DeBrincat scored Saturday by batting the puck out of midair and past goalie Joonas Korpisalo.
#8220;Obviously I want to be a guy who's put out in all situations and helping the team win,#8221; DeBrincat said. #8220;Last year, stuff just wasn't going my way. This year I'm getting bounces, obviously like tonight. Maybe that's not going in most of the time, but tonight it did.#8221;
Through Saturday only eight players have more goals than DeBrincat's 8. Auston Matthews (11), Brock Boeser (10) and Tyler Toffoli (10) are the top three.