Why February's a make-or-break month for Blackhawks
Jonathan Toews isn't blind.
He knows exactly what's ahead for the Blackhawks as they come out of their off week and begin a critical stretch with a game against Arizona on Saturday.
"It's a huge month for us and a huge month for a lot of other teams," Toews told reporters after the Hawks practiced in Arizona on Thursday. "So the faster we can get into the playoff-hockey mindset, the better."
It's a huge month because 11 of the Hawks' 14 games are on the road. Not only that, but eight of the first 10 games are against Western Conference teams that are fighting for a playoff berth.
It would be a bit silly to overemphasize the first game of this stretch, but a regulation victory over the Coyotes (26-21-6, 58 points) would pull the Hawks (24-21-6, 54 points) within 2 points of Arizona while a regulation loss would put them 6 points behind.
The Hawks appear to be catching the reeling Coyotes at the right time, too, because they are just 1-5-2 over the last eight games, averaging just 1.57 goals in those 7 losses. Also, Arizona may be without injured goalie Darcy Kuemper and defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson.
"If we lose the game it's not the end of the world, but it is a big opportunity," said coach Jeremy Colliton.
While this road-heavy stretch might look daunting to some, it might actually be an advantage to the Hawks, who are 7-1-0 away from the United Center since Dec. 19.
"This group has been pretty good on the road," Colliton said. "It's in no small to the approach, the mentality that we have taken.
"Just one shift at a time, play a simple game, take the chances when they're there. But stay in the game. Play a gritty, patient style and I think that's fit our style pretty well."
The Hawks entered the break having won five of their last six, although they did drop their last decision, 4-3 to Joel Quenneville's Florida Panthers. Colliton wasn't happy with the way his team handled some second-period adversity in that setback as they fell behind 1-0, 2-0 and 3-0 in less than six minutes.
"It felt like we really got loose with our puck plays and we give them free momentum, free opportunities to create offense," Colliton said. "And they capitalized because they have a tremendous offensive team.
"When we've had our success we've avoided that."
The success lately has come in large part to everyone picking up their games.
Dominik Kubalik (15 goals last 22 games) is one of the hottest players in the league, Toews (9G, 20A last 22) is also on fire, Patrick Kane is on a 40-goal, 101-point pace, and Robin Lehner (9-2-0 last 11) continues to be a rock in net.
But it's not just the big names.
Kirby Dach and Adam Boqvist look more and more comfortable every game, Zack Smith has found another level, Drake Caggiula has provided a burst of energy, and defenseman Slater Koekkoek has more than impressed with his first extended run of the season.
Oh, and how about that penalty kill? Duncan Keith, Connor Murphy, Olli Maatta and Ryan Carpenter are big reasons why opponents are just 5-for-51 on the power play over the last 20 games.
After Arizona, the Hawks will play at Minnesota on Tuesday then host Boston on Wednesday.
They'll then get a few days off to prepare for a huge road trip against Winnipeg, Edmonton, Vancouver, Calgary and Winnipeg again.
Said Toews: "These are do-or-die games for us that we need points right now (in), so we can't wait any longer."
Scouting report
Blackhawks vs. Arizona Coyotes, 7 p.m. at Gila River Arena
TV: NBCSCH • Radio: WGN 720-AM
The skinny: Not only is Arizona just 1-5-2 in its last eight games, but the Coyotes' last 2 losses came against bottom-feeders Anaheim and Los Angeles. The Kings stunned Arizona on Thursday by tying the game with 2:54 left in regulation and then got the game-winner just 24 seconds into OT. "You're going to find adversity throughout the season and right know we're hitting it," coach Rick Tocchet told reporters. "But I thought we played a pretty good game ... we've just got to stick with it." … Arizona's leading goal scorers are Conor Garland (16), Christian Dvorak (14) and Carl Soderberg (13). Former Blackhawks forward Nick Schmaltz (8G, 30A) has the most points with 38. He snapped a 10-game goal drought against Los Angeles. … The Blackhawks are hoping Dylan Strome can return from an ankle injury.
Next: Minnesota Wild, 7 p.m. Tuesday at XCel Energy Center
- John Dietz