Blackhawks Are Off To A Hot Start Thanks To A Fired Up Captain

The Blackhawks have started the 2018-19 NHL season with an impressive 2-0-1 record and earned 5 points out of a possible 6. As of right now, they are in sole possession of 1st place in the Central division. Nobody could have predicted a start like this, especially not when 2 out of the 3 games played were against a tough division rival, St. Louis Blues, who added a few new pieces this offseason, and an absolutely stacked Toronto Maple Leafs team who are led by Auston Matthews and John Tavares.

How Did The Blackhawks Get Off To Such A Great Start?

When a company, a business, a group, or a team are successful, it has to start at the top with the person in charge. The person in charge of the Blackhawks is none other than the Captain, Jonathan Toews. Toews has looked like the 2008-2015 prime version of himself this season and there are a few reasons why he has been so successful. The Blackhawks missed the playoffs for the first time since 2008 and the team had a longer offseason than they are used to. Now, if you know Toews, you know he is super competitive and does not take losing lightly. All of the time off was undoubtedly eating away at him from the inside. Toews took advantage of this extended offseason and got to work. He has looked quicker and stronger this season, so he must finally be healthy and over his injuries. Toews has tallied 6 points (5G, 1A) in 3 games and was also named the NHL's 2nd Star of the Week during the league's opening week.

#Blackhawks Captain Jonathan Toews has been named the #NHL 2nd Star of the Week. Toews has been on fire, with 5 goals in just 3 games. pic.twitter.com/9eyGwM7HnL

— ✶ ✶Tony Gianares✶ ✶ (@Certified_TonyG) October 8, 2018

Jonathan Toews has 2 new linemates this season, Alex DeBrincat and Dominik Kahun. Both of whom have noticeably helped take the pressure off of Toews and boosted his production. DeBrincat has brought some serious offensive firepower to the top line. He currently has 4 points (2G, 2A). Check out this laser beam that blew right past Senators' goalie, Craig Anderson!

Here’s the play right here. DeBrincat takes it the full length and uses the defenseman as a screen. #SnipeCity, Population 1!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/2ZbiSeykAM

— ✶ ✶Tony Gianares✶ ✶ (@Certified_TonyG) October 5, 2018

DeBrincat also has elite playmaking skills that are evident on this preseason play with Jonathan Toews. Not only does DeBrincat have the awareness to see an open Toews, but he also has enough touch and accuracy to place this feed in the absolute perfect spot.

DeBrincat is on a totally different level with this RIDICULOUS pass to set Toews up with basically a tip-in goal. 👀🔥🔥🔥 #Blackhawks #CHIvsOTT pic.twitter.com/q1nXdnglo3

— ✶ ✶Tony Gianares✶ ✶ (@Certified_TonyG) September 28, 2018

Dominik Kahun is the 3rd and final piece to that fiery 1st line for the Blackhawks. Kahun came over from Germany this offseason and he has lived up to the hype and then some. He is known for his elite playmaking skills and offensive game. Kahun has a knack for knowing where to be and what to do with the puck when he gets it. Like seen here, when the 1st line, plus Duncan Keith, put on a passing clinic to set DeBrincat up with basically an empty-netter.

One of the best plays I’ve seen in a LONG time... Quick, decisive passing makes things happen!

Toews ➡️ Keith ➡️ Kahun ➡️ DeBrincat 🏒🥅🚨🚨🚨#Blackhawks #CHIVSTOR pic.twitter.com/WH2LhGLVM3 — ✶ ✶Tony Gianares✶ ✶ (@Certified_TonyG) October 7, 2018

Patrick Kane has also had a huge role in the Blackhawks' success this season. Kane is back to his usual ways and putting up points in bunches. He is currently at 6 points (4G, 2A) in 3 games. In the Blackhawks' last game against the Toronto Maple Leafs, Kane did something no other player in NHL history has done. He scored 2 game-tying goals in the last 90 seconds of regulation.

pic.twitter.com/dlXVQpxUKK

— Bucci Mane (@Buccigross) October 8, 2018

Also in the Blackhawks' last game, Patrick Kane went head to head with Auston Matthews of the Toronto Maple Leafs in what was an extremely exciting finish! There was even a little rivalry and a nice showing of gamesmanship between Kane and Matthews.

Best moment of tonight’s game: Patrick Kane scores to tie the game up at 5. Auston Matthews scores and taunts the crowd, TOR is up 6-5. Then, Patrick Kane scores AGAIN and mimics Matthews. Ties the game at 6. #Blackhawks⁠ #CHIvsTOR pic.twitter.com/J0RSGfmO7p https://t.co/J0RSGfmO7p

— ✶ ✶Tony Gianares✶ ✶ (@Certified_TonyG) October 8, 2018

Last, but certainly not least, is perhaps the biggest surprise to start the season -- Henri Jokiharju. Jokiharju is getting his first taste of the NHL this season. He's been blessed with a Grade-A opportunity, as Coach Q has him playing alongside one of the best defensemen in the league in Duncan Keith. Now, Jokiharju is indeed a rookie, but he isn't playing like one. Through 3 games, he leads the league with 5 assists and has a 5 +/- rating.

#Blackhawks D Henri Jokiharju LEADS THE LEAGUE IN ASSISTS WITH 5 🍎🍏🍎🍏🍎 pic.twitter.com/wW5Rx53o0f

— ✶ ✶Tony Gianares✶ ✶ (@Certified_TonyG) October 8, 2018

What To Expect From The Blackhawks Going Forward

The Blackhawks' next game is Thursday, October 11th. It's an away game against division rival Minnesota Wild. This will be an important game since it has an immediate impact on the Central division standings. The Blackhawks obviously need to keep this momentum going and win as many games as they can right now while Corey Crawford is out. Crawford is tentatively scheduled to return October 18th and if not, then the weekend following that game which would be either October 20th against the Blue Jackets in Columbus or October 21st against the Lightning at home. Until Crawford returns, the Captain, Jonathan Toews, will have to keep the ship afloat and on course. Of course, he'll need a little help from his crew. Only time will tell what happens, but all I know for sure is that I'm having a BALL watching my Blackhawks this season. For more Blackhawks news and updates, follow the author @Certified_TonyG on Twitter.