As the Blackhawks prepare to push their win streak to 6 games, it’s becoming more and more apparent something has changed. But exactly what’s driving this?
So the Blackhawks are on a 5-game winning streak, and after the last two games— convincing wins over good divisional foes—even hardened, cynical types like me have to acknowledge there’s a real improvement here.
But in order to trust that this is more than just an aberration, you have to really understand where the “improvement” is coming from—and whether it’s sustainable.
Some may point to the recall of Vince Hinostroza from the minors as the catalyst that’s ignited the third line (and the whole team). (Wrong).
Some may highlight individual great games by erstwhile 7-8 defensemen Michal Kempny (in Winnipeg) and Jordan Oesterle (last night versus Minnesota). That, also, would be incorrect.
And for the record, Bonehead Kempny showed up again last night, and Oesterle, in spite of Brian Campbell proclaiming him his Mini-Me on “the TV” between periods last night, actually had a pretty bad third period, featuring a turnover around his own net and getting turnstiled by a Minnesota forward for a clean break in on the Hawk net on another play.
Who knows, Campbell may have temporarily had himself confused with Nathan Dempsey. Dunno.
The real difference(s)
No, the real story are the unsung heroes of the last handful of games: Gustav Forsling, Connor Murphy, and even the now-injured Jan Rutta.
The solidification of their play, especially Murphy and Forsling, both of whom struggled early on this season, has improved their pairings, the defense as a whole—and as a result, the play of the whole team.
Rutta was NHL-ready on day one and has incrementally improved since then. Forsling is now playing mostly mistake-free hockey up and down the ice and asserting his speed and creativity in moving the puck up and out of the Hawk zone—and into the opponent’s end. Murphy, to my eye, has made the big leap of late. His game is more noticeable for being unnoticeable. Simple, steady and—a nice addition to the Hawks that’s been mostly missing the last several years—if an opponent tries to come through the Hawk blueline with his head down, he’s going to get flattened.
It’s contagious
This kind of play—this kind of progress—has a ripple effect, taking considerable pressure off the Duncan Keiths and Brent Seabrooks. And the improved puck possession and flow up the ice, longer offensive zone time, and cleaner, quicker defensive zone exits, allows the Hawks’ best players at every position to be their best players.
So now you see Patrick Kane having multi-goal nights, some chemistry on the Toews line, Nick Schmaltz regaining the jump he had early on in the season, some chemistry on the Toews line, some production from the third line.
But don’t get out over your skis
Getting back to Kempny and Oesterle (and even the now forgotten Richard Panik), there’s a bad habit in Blackhawk Nation of wanting to call this guy or that “the latest gem uncovered by genius GM Stan Bowman.” When you watch Hawk games on “the TV,” you hear Pat Foley and/or Steve Konroyd start it when a nice play happens, and then the between-period commentators pile on. So for one game, Kempny becomes Al MacInnis, and then the next, Oesterle becomes Bobby Orr. And for a long time, Panik was proof that Bowman was the “Ultimate Riverboat Gambler.”
Now, we’re seeing that Dick Panik is, well what he is. Hey, I like all these guys for various reasons, but they all have flaws, and they will all progress and regress in fits and starts.
And that’s the good news
What’s driving the Hawks’ success of late is meaningful improvement in the guys you’re really counting on: Forsling, Murphy, Rutta. Leading to optimal play by the Kanes, Saads, Schmaltzes, etc.
And, of course, there’s that Crawford guy. But he’s been bailing this team out much of the last 2 ½ seasons.
Now it appears he can count on a little more help.
Follow: @jaeckel