Many people will read the headline and believe that I'm just a homer, but I'm not. I am an objective fan, but this team has given me all the feels lately. The main feeling being, the Blackhawks will win the Stanley Cup.
I've compiled a list of stats and observations to prove to the hockey community why the Blackhawks will win the Stanley Cup. "Why four?" you say, because this would be the fourth title with this core group. Duh.
Through the process I look to hype up the Blackhawks fans and eliminate the hopes of the rest of the NHL.
While this first slide isn't a reason they will win the Cup, it should have been a reason for fans to keep hope alive early in the season...
Consistent Inconsistency Keep Stanley Cup Hopes Alive
In a season of streaks in the NHL, the Blackhawks managed to stay in first place through consistent inconsistency. You're probably saying, "That's an oxymoron." You're right, but it is the simplest way I can describe their early play. The team struggled in different phases of the game but never at the same time. For example, when they weren't scoring, they were getting great goaltending. When the defense/goaltending was poor, they would score more goals. What I'm saying is, they were never flat-out bad. They made up for mistakes and bad play by elevating their game in other aspects. This allowed them stay atop the West for most of the season until they had a little slip in mid-January. It happens, but don't expect it again because...1. Shift Into High Gears For Big Games
It should go without saying, but this group of Blackhawks know how to elevate their game against good teams. The boys have a 21-12 record against NHL playoff teams (As of March 14). Of those wins, 10 of them are against their divisional foes. They snapped an 8 game losing streak against the Wild and have turned it into a 3 game win streak of their own. In the process, they reclaimed the top spot in the West as the Wild can't seem to figure them out anymore. The Blackhawks are 6-3 versus the East but they won't have to worry about them until the Stanley Cup Final. Lets hope they face the Penguins to avenge being swept in 1992 and because we'd all love to see Sidney Crosby cry. Their record against the Pacific Division is only 5-5 but three of those loses came either during the Circus or Disney On Ice trip. Excuses are lame but in a seven game series, both teams will have this problem. Also, if history has proven anything, the Sharks and Ducks are known to choke. The boys may have had some troubles on the road earlier in the season but... https://twitter.com/Pappy_Hour/status/8420633503517040712. Road Warriors
Extended road trips are one thing, but away games during the flow of the season do not phase the Blackhawks. The Hawks have the most road wins in their conference, with 21. Recently, they have won 9 of their last 10 games as the away squad. NHL.com thought so highly of their dominance on the road that they catapulted them to number 1 in the power rankings. The only team with more road wins than the Blackhawks are the New York Rangers and their only hope is Henrik Lundqvist. The problem is that he can't even stack up against Corey Crawford in the playoffs. Hell, their whole team can't even stack up against the Blackhawks...
3. Pedigree
There isn't a more decorated collection of players in the NHL. Now, this isn't a time to rest on their laurels but it needs to be mentioned. The core of this team has won on every level, from World Juniors, Olympics to Stanley Cups. Don't forget the individual awards like scoring titles, MVPs and Conn Smythe trophies. Yeah, Conn Smythe. You know, the playoff MVP. The Blackhawks have three of those in Toews, Kane and Keith. Not many teams in the history of hockey can claim that. Even better, a case could have been made for a number of players during those Stanley Cup title runs. I mean, they did give the title belt to Crow at the 2015 rally. This is just an amazing group of winners and every sports fan should know the saying "winners win." Well these guys win and are clicking...
4. Clicking At The Right Time
It's coming down the stretch and the Blackhawks are heating up while the rest of the league is cooling off. The core players are elevating their games. Patrick Kane has inserted himself into the Art Ross and Hart trophy talks after being ignored for four months. Jonathan Toews is scoring again and Corey Crawford can put the team on his back when he needs to. Even better than the core players elevating, is the not completely unexpected contributions of rookies Ryan Hartman and Nick Schmaltz. Both players have had to assume responsibilities on top lines and have transitioned smoothly. The penalty kill has been the best it has all season as they've killed 86% since Feb 1. That is sixth best in that time frame and great since they were dead last since the first week of the season. Confidence and momentum are in the Blackhawks favor for the stretch run. It's going to be exciting. Be ready to be watching hockey in June because the Blackhawks don't just look good on paper, they look good on silver too.
