Losing back to back games against possible playoff matchup, Colorado Avalanche, is it time to panic in Chicago?
No way!
The defending Stanley Cup champs should not be worried at all.
Sure, they were dominating the Western Conference earlier this season, but the Blackhawks have dropped two in a row, and three of their last five. They went from first to the third seed in the Central Division.
If the playoffs were to start today, Chicago would face Colorado, a team that has had Chicago’s number all season. Going 4-1 in the regular season, one might give Colorado the mental edge.
Chicago is playing without a key scorer in Marian Hossa. Come playoff time, if Chicago can enter at full strength, I don’t see them losing before the Conference Finals.
Chicago boasts too powerful of an offense. The key will be getting home ice in the series.
If the Blackhawks want home-ice advantage in a potential match-up against Colorado in the Western Conference Quarterfinals, they need to start winning games with only 16 left to play before the postseason.
“Maybe we can learn our lesson now that games aren’t going to get any easier this time of year,” captain Jonathan Towes said, following their third straight loss to the Avalanche. “It’s time to play hard. It’s time to play playoff-style hockey if we want to win games. That’s another big two points we let slip. That’s, I think, six [points] in a row against this team. It’s not good enough. It is frustrating.”
Chicago has a big four-game homestand coming up this week, and into the weekend (STL, CAR, NSH, DAL). This will be a big week for the Blackhawks playoff picture.
Picks for tonight: Canadians, Islanders, Blues, and Wild