As the Central Division leading Chicago Blackhawks head into Washington and their Winter Classic matchup against the Capitals they are showing signs of returning to their Stanley Cup winning formula of 2013 with the top ranked defense in the NHL. The Blackhawks boast one of the top defensemen in the league in Duncan Keith to go with the dynamic forward duo of Patrick Kane and Jonahtan Toews. Add in star goaltender Corey Crawford and you have one of the most complete teams in the game.
Defense Delivers
Chicago faltered in the Western Conference Final last year against the Los Angeles Kings because their defense was less than air tight. This year Chicago has clamped down with the fewest goals allowed in the NHL while ranking fourth for goals scored. Kane has stated that the Hawks have “probably the best defensive corps in the league.”
Chicago’s forwards have helped out on the back check which has had the effect of helping to take pressure off of Crawford and the defensemen. Chicago head coach Joel Quinneville has consistently preached about a “team game” and has been able to get the Blackhawks to work hard on defense despite having one of the most skilled lineups in the game. That combination of skill and grit is proving to be deadly as the Hawks had the second best record in the entire NHL.
Raising Kane
When a skilled free lancing forward like Kane makes the full buy-in, you are definitely on to something,
“It’s important to maybe think a little bit more defensively,” said Kane. “Because the offense can come from good defense. Sometimes you get the puck deeper in your own end, but you come with more speed and you might have some odd-man rushes too. Everybody has to play a part.”
Blue Line Depth
Chicago’s defensemen corps may be the best in the game staring with Duncan Keith, who is an elite top shelf blue liner. Keith had six goals and 14 assists with a +11 despite having to go up against the best lines of the opposing each game. Complimenting Keith on defense has been Brent Seabrook, Niklas Hjalmarsson, David Runbland, Michael Rozsival and Johnny Oduya. Few, if any, teams can boast of such blue line depth.
Commitment to Reclaim the Cup
The Blackhawks were bitterly disappointed at losing the Western Conference Final on home ice to the Kings and have dedicated themselves to getting the Stanley Cup back to Chicago. An elite defense is mandatory in completing that quest and, so far, the Hawks are delivering.
