Why Blackhawks' upcoming road trip may determine their playoff chances
The Blackhawks are about to embark on a bizarre — yet extremely important — five-game road trip that may determine if they have any chance of reaching the postseason for the first time since 2017.
It's important, of course, for a couple of reasons.
First, when it's over the Hawks will have just 23 games remaining.
Second, they are facing four teams that are all also fighting for their playoff lives.
As for the bizarre part? Well, it's the fact that the trip begins and ends in Winnipeg.
“I don't know if I've ever had one where you play in the same city twice in the same road trip,” defenseman Connor Murphy said after Friday's practice. “It's interesting, but I think if you look at any team they'll have some crazy part of their schedule.
“So ours is now I guess.”
It will be interesting to see where the Hawks are after these five games. If they gain 8 or more points, they should be in a wild-card spot; if they manage 4 or fewer, it could mean the season is all but over.
“It'll be fun to play in big games,” said coach Jeremy Colliton. “All five of them are against teams we're battling with for position. That's fun.”
As for Murphy, he's hoping this season's fun extends all the way into mid-April and beyond. That's yet to happen for the 26-year-old defenseman, who is in his seventh full season.
“It's big,” Murphy said of his appetite to reach the Stanley Cup playoffs. “It's something that's a top priority every year and it definitely feels embarrassing not making it when the season's over. But that's what gives you that drive year after year to try and make it the next one.”
Murphy believes individuals and young teams learn from mistakes that kept them from their ultimate goal. If that's the case, then the Hawks (25-21-8, 58 points) ought to have a fighting chance on this road trip.
Here's a closer look at what they're up against, starting tonight in Winnipeg:
Winnipeg — 28-23-5 overall; 13-12-3 at home
Kyle Connor, Mark Scheifele, Patrik Laine, Nikolaj Ehlers and Blake Wheeler might all score 25 or more goals. Connor and Scheifele figure to get to 35-40. Winnipeg is 4-7-1 in its last 11 games. The Jets lost to Boston twice, Nashville twice (one in OT), Tampa Bay and the Hawks.
A suspect, patchwork defense is holding Winnipeg back from being one of the top teams in the West.
Edmonton — 29-20-6; 14-9-4 at home
Heading into Saturday's games, Leon Draisaitl (31G, 54A) and Connor McDavid (30G, 51A) were 1-2 in the NHL in scoring. James Neal has 19 goals, with 12 coming on the power play, although he has scored just once in the last six weeks. In addition to this trio, a more veteran-leaden roster is a big reason why the Oilers are thriving.
Vancouver — 30-21-5; 17-6-3 at home
Led by second-year phenom Elias Pettersson (23G, 32A), the Canucks come at teams with six legitimate scoring threats. They did manage just 5 goals in the previous three games before Saturday, though, so perhaps the Hawks are catching them at the right time.
Calgary — 28-22-6; 13-10-4 at home
Speaking of catching teams at the right time, that goes for the Flames as well because they will be without veteran defenseman Mark Giordano (hamstring).
Calgary already has shaky goaltending and has allowed a power-play goal in six of eight games.
So maybe this is where Patrick Kane, Alex DeBrincat and the Hawks' PP catches fire.
These games ought to have a playoff-type pace to them, so it would behoove players like Kirby Dach, Adam Boqvist (assuming he's healthy) and Alex Nylander and others to seek out the veterans for a little advice.
As for Murphy, he watches the playoffs every season. Now he figures it's time for him to play in them.
“You try to learn and try to see what the pace is like and what style of game it is,” he said. “It just kind of feeds that hunger a little bit more to try to be there.
“You talk with a lot of guys here that have been in deep runs so many years and won Cups, and how much more fun that part of the year is.
“It'll definitely be worth it to make it.”
Scouting report
Blackhawks vs. Winnipeg Jets, 6 p.m. at Bell MTS place
TV: NBC Sports Chicago; Radio: WGN 720-AM
The skinny: The Hawks are beginning and ending their five-game road trip against Winnipeg, which isn't having the best season at home at just 13-12-3. Still, this is a high-octane offense that's led by Mark Scheifele, Kyle Connor and Patrik Laine. “They have a good top couple lines,” said Hawks D-man Connor Murphy. “When they're going and they're clicking on the power play they get momentum and they can be a tough team. … We have to take advantage of getting on their 'D' and (create_ chances down low against them like we've done in the recent past.” … The Hawks have beaten Winnipeg twice already this season, outscoring the Jets 9-3. In their 5-2 win at the UC on Jan. 19, David Kampf and Brandon Saad scored third-period goals to extend the Hawks' lead from 2-1 to 4-1. … Heading into Saturday's games, Winnipeg's penalty kill ranked 28th at 74.3 percent, while the Hawks ranked fifth at 83 percent. … D-man Adam Boqvist (shoulder) practiced Saturday and might be able to play.
Next: Edmonton Oilers, 8 p.m. Tuesday at Rogers Place
— John Dietz