Series with Lightning won't make or break Blackhawks
When the weekend is over - and the Blackhawks have completed their three-game set against Tampa Bay - we'll have a better idea how they match up against perhaps the best team in the NHL.
No matter how it plays out, it goes without saying coach Jeremy Colliton will keep things in perspective.
"If it doesn't go perfect, it doesn't mean all is lost," Colliton said. "We understand we need to continue to improve and get better as the year goes on, and we know we don't have it all figured out yet. ...
"It's a measuring stick. If we sweep, it doesn't mean we're going to plan the parade. If they sweep us, it doesn't mean we're gonna pack it in and quit. It's an ongoing process."
That process has been going quite well since the Hawks opened the season losing four games at Tampa Bay and Florida. Since then, they were 12-4-3 going into Thursday's game against the Lightning at the United Center.
"They're a lot more confident team," said Tampa Bay coach Jon Cooper. "They've got a few guys in there that are fairly new to the NHL and guys that everyone in the league was unaware of. We're aware of them now.
"I mean, good on them. Good on their coaching staff. After they went through that Florida swing, they were taking a little bit of undue criticism. Clearly Chicago knew what they were doing."
Perplexing problem: Solving Tampa Bay's penalty kill has been next to impossible this season as the Lightning allowed just 8 man-advantage goals in 70 attempts through Wednesday. That 88.6% kill rate leads the league.
The Blackhawks spent significant portions of their two practices this week working on the power play, which ranks No. 1 at 33.3%. Patrick Kane was at times running the point instead on the half wall, and Dominik Kubalik and Pius Suter joined the top group on one of the two days.
So did the Hawks spot any weaknesses they can exploit?
"Well if we did, we'd be the only one so we'd want to keep that to ourselves," said coach Jeremy Colliton. "Certainly they do a really good job. They've got a bunch of guys who are comfortable in those roles and they have excellent structure. ...
"We're gonna have to get some shots through and then recover a puck and hopefully take advantage before they can get their structure back."
Slap shots: Dylan Strome, who is recovering from a concussion, was on the ice Thursday morning. "He's progressing," said coach Jeremy Colliton. "Good step that he skated." ... Calvin de Haan was riding a three-game assist streak into Thursday's game. It's something the veteran defenseman has accomplished five times in his career, but he's never been able to extend the streak to a fourth game. ... Alex DeBrincat (3G, 6A) took a six-game points streak into Thursday.