Blackhawks Remind of What Once Was–And Could Be Again Soon

Somewhere in the slog of the Blackhawks losing streaks it started to unravel a bit. The euphoria over getting Connor Bedard was dimming and with one loss after another, attention started to turn to the offseason and the draft lottery.

But a funny thing happened along the way, especially in the last four games. The Blackhawks, fresh off of a seven-game losing streak, pitched a win, then a loss, and now two-straight victories. It’s the first time all season they’ve won three of their last four.

It also marked a seven-game outburst that happened in consecutive games–propelling the league’s worst scoring team from 131 goals to 145 in just two games. In those four games, Chicago scored 20 goals. Previous to that 5-2 over Arizona last Tuesday, it took the Blackhawks 15 games to hit the same number. That’s a span of 40 days–which excuses Blackhawks fans who had given up on what the season had been.

But Tuesday’s game, the latest of those three victories had a little bit of everything. Bedard tying a 70-year-old franchise record for points in a game from a rookie. Petr Mrazek rushing to the aid of a teammate, who in turn, had Anaheim’s John Gibson flying across the ice for him.

Philipp Kurashev and his four points. Nick Foligno adding four assists. Andreas Athanasiou returning with two assists.

Heck, the United Center crowd even got the wave going around the barn for a solid five minutes. All of this on an unseasonably warm March day that hinted back to an era where warm weather and a festive atmosphere inside meant a Stanley Cup at the end of the journey.

Blackhawks Are Growing Together Despite How the Record Reads

From head coach Luke Richardson to unofficial captain Nick Foligno reminded that just a couple games with a lot of goals doesn’t really mean anything unless it’s built upon. It’s the right take. The team doing things right the last couple days helps show that the structure is working. But it has to be consistent–and continued.

The excitement, though, that has been present in the United Center and even outside of it regarding the future of this team has been revived slightly. Everyone knows another draft lottery is in the immediate future, but there’s a lot of excitement again for what can be.

Landon Slaggert making his way to Chicago and playing Friday shows again the slow trickle of talent making its way. In the next couple of seasons, that slow trickle should become an all out flood.

Timed perfectly will be how Davidson has structured the contracts–a way to maximize the team’s good fortune coupled with the chance to add high caliber NHL players via free agency–or likelier–by trade.

So the excitement that has filled the air lately–albeit in a handful of games–could be a microcosm of what could be in just a few seasons.

Until then, it serves as an oasis in what’s been a challenging year for even the most ardent fan. The game within the game will continue to provide clues as to what the team could look like next year.

But in the meantime, fans won’t complain as their Blackhawks take some more measured steps forward.

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