February 5, 2019: Too Early

I’ve been watching… the Blackhawks win… a handful of games in a row.  I’ve been reading… some pretty good writers actually like Scott Powers and Mark Lazerus… talking about the current spot the Blackhawks are in.  I’ve been waiting… even with another nice win in Edmonton, which brings it to 5 in a row, it’s still too early to get excited… right?

That 3rd period was sweet; talk about an onslaught of goals.  It looked like the Oilers were just standing around on defense… helpless, kind of like the Hawks have looked at times this season.  It’s nice to have the shoe on the other foot.  Lately, there have been a lot more good moments than bad ones.  To actually be talking about a winning streak instead of a losing streak feels good, because before this 5 game run, the Hawks had lost the previous 4.  Treading water is not going to be good enough to get into the dance; a couple weeks ago, nobody was even thinking about the postseason. 

There’s been a lot more focus on being sellers; who should the Hawks trade?  Who can they trade and get some decent return?  There was focus on the draft; all this talk about that Jack Hughes kid.  Getting a number one pick could catapult the Hawks going forward.  Well, for now, maybe those conversations should go on the back burner.  Yes, Bowman can make some moves that will make it more difficult for this team to win, no doubt; they have a hard enough time as it is OK.  Yet, I knew this Hawks team was not built to tank; way too much pride on this squad.  Come on, we’re talking about guys with multiple cups… legendary Blackhawks.  Do you think they were just going to lay down and die, although sometimes that’s how Seabs looks on D.  No, on the contrary…

Kane, Jesus… that guy is absolutely killing it.  Here’s the latest mind blowing stats from Christopher Kamka:  Patrick Kane last 18 games:  17 goals and 22 assists.  Un-fricking-real!  And then there’s that other guy.  Captain Serious has been playing some serious hockey this year; his best year in a while, and could be his best year ever as far as individual stats go.  It’s the good old dynamic duo leading the way.  They still have lots left in the tank, and because of that, the Hawks window remains open… even if it’s just a crack.  If the rest of the squad can step it up, if Bowman or whoever the next GM will be can add in the short term via free agency, trades, and the draft, why can’t this Hawks team have another go at the Cup?  Yes, I know there are many reasons why that sounds unlikely, but we’re trying to keep it positive.

It’s more fun that way… Watching the Hawks games, believing they’re going to keep this winning stuff up, hoping that this run will end up with a playoff berth, dreaming of an shockingly unlikely postseason run… yeah, that’s one of my happy places.  These last Hawks wins have been making me happy, regardless of any and all big picture implications.  Winning is an amazing thing.  Let’s see where this ends up.  Go Hawks!