The Image above depicts the Chicago Blackhawks stadium, the United Center, following a Hawks win. This image is slowly becoming less and less a reality and more and more a part of history. The Blackhawks have a 4-9 road record and a 5-5 home record. I realize I am not counting the overtime losses in a category of their own. However overtime losses only give teams an extra point, right now the Blackhawks sit at the bottom of the division looking up, with only Saint Louis below, the Blackhawks should not consider an overtime loss any less of a loss. Chicago was once a very coveted location to play in in the NHL. The UC was once considered one of the toughest around. What changed? Was it the team play? Was it the head coach? Or was it the overall growth of the other teams in the NHL?

Yes. yes to every one of the questions asked. The Blackhawks are not the team they were last season, or the team they were two seasons ago. Chicago has been blessed with great hockey teams, and this team still can play that way, but they need to grow, and adapt. Chicago when scoring first is 7-2-1 that is actually a pretty good stat considering the team has only won 9 games. The key to the Blackhawks being successful hinges on the Hawks scoring first. When the opponent scores first the Blackhawks are 2-9-1. That is a big problem. We have seen it before, most notably on Friday in Tampa Bay. The Blackhawks fell behind early in the game 3-0 and never managed to get back into the game. Early mistakes ruins the success for the Hawks.

If the Hawks are to have success again this year they need to find a way to play a full 60 minutes night in and night out. The Blackhawks are not as skilled as they once were, and things do not get easier when they are playing from behind night in and night out. Coach Colliton needs to find a way to motivate this team to play. Obviously their is a lot of hockey left to play in the 2018-2019 season. I am not counting out Chicago yet, believe me you will know when I count them out. I just think they need to start playing a different way, and make sure the UC celebrating a Hawks win is not a thing of the past.