NHL Playoff

Still Alive!

With 16 games to go the Blackhawks find themselves 6 points out of the 8th and final playoff spot in the Western Conference. They have found a way to re-focus and hang tough even without the recent services of Khabibulin, Havlat and Lang. It is still a tough road ahead to make the playoffs, but the fact that they are not yet eliminated is a major accomplishment.

Injuries affect all teams and are part of everyone’s season and we know the Hawks have had their share. Martin Havlat, Jonathan Toews, Robert Lang, Jason Williams, Yanic Perrault,and Khabibulin, all have missed time. Let’s not forget Rene Bourque who has recently returned after missing some considerable time. I think it says alot about the talent pool and the determination of the players that the Hawks have to still find themselves with an outside chance to make the playoffs.

Let’s give credit to the likes of Dustin Byfuglien, Patrick Lalime, and the rookie sensations Patrick Kane, and Jonathan Toews who if he had not missed any time, the Hawks might have found themselves in the top eight already. Denis Savard has done a very admirable job behind the bench with this team that is filled with young unproven talent, and a few veterans that have been around the block. Also, let’s not forget that Savard himself does not have that much experience as a head coach either, as this is his first full season. It helps though that he played for a wide variety of successful coaches throughout his career and can go to his memory bank and pick things that can help him in this process.

There are 16 games left and the next two are at the United Center against Anaheim and San Jose. Obvioulsy these are two very difficult games and winning both would send a real message throughout the dressing room and the city of Chicago. If the Hawks can go 12-4 for the balance of the season that would give them 94 points. That might be enough to get them into the playoffs, and what a great story that would make for this year. None of these games will be easy and three of them are agains the Red Wings, but if the Hawks can stay healthy, get solid goaltending, and play consistently, anything can happen!

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