Blackhawks Daily: Contenders vs Pretenders at the Quarter Pole

The Chicago Blackhawks played them tough both times and it sure looked like the Boston Bruins were headed to another record breaking season. But the last few games? If a two-game losing streak is a hot mess, well, the Blackhawks and their fans can certainly attest to things being much worse than that at times.

So at 14-3-3, are they really a hot mess? This goes to what Blackhawks forward Nick Foligno was speaking to–getting the Blackhawks back to being the Blackhawks. The Bruins are still tied for tops in the Eastern Conference so it’s hardly time to panic.

But it’s interesting to see how expectations are subjective to the life cycle of a team’s contention window. Speaking of, the Detroit Red Wings are 3-0 since Dylan Larkin pushed the locker room. Once upon a time, there were the Red Wings who made the playoffs 25 straight years and were Stanley Cup contenders for what felt like decades.

Then there’s the Philadelphia Flyers, who a season ago were a laughing stock. Now? Second in the Metropolitan Division after winning a tight defensive battle other night against the New York Islanders.

Expectations are certainly subjective. Just look at Edmonton.

Blackhawks In Case You Missed It

• The continued curious case of Corey Perry
• The Blackhawks fall to the Blues, unable to string a winning streak together
• The Blackhawks season so far? Consistently inconsistent
• The Blackhawks Stock Index: Philipp Kurashev is on fire

Hockey Now Western Conference Wrap

Colorado Hockey Now: The Colorado Avalanche new additions help the Central leaders not miss a beat

Nashville Hockey Now: Luke Schenn has returned from the IR. What does that mean for the Nashville Predators blue line?

San Jose Hockey Now: Remember when the San Jose Sharks were the laughing stock of the NHL? Well, a shootout loss prevented them from being .500 over their last ten games.

Vegas Hockey Now: Patrick Kane to the Vegas Golden Knights? Nah, writes Vegas Hockey Now editor Chris Gawlik