Chicago Sports Then and Now

Patrick Sharp (foreground) is one reason the Hawks are winning without Captain Jonathan Toews (background).

When Patrick Sharp scored the game winner with just four and a half minutes left in the Blackhawks’ last game for the month of October, Coach Joel Quenneville’s knuckles might have been as white as his hair.

Four regulars—grinders Adam Burish and Ben Eager, Hawk Captain Jonathan Toews, newcomer Marian Hossa—are missing from the lineup. Top defenseman Brent Seabrook just returned after being out for a pair of games with ‘concussion-like symptoms’.

So Quenneville and his men have been finding ways to win, that contrast with the explosive style fans now expect from Chicago Blackhawks hockey.

Part of that is, as Center Dave Bolland said, “playing conservative.” Another is goals at critical moments from the supporting cast.

David Bolland credits "conservative play" with the Hawks' success.

“Sharpie scored our biggest goal of the year, very timely,” Quenneville said after the win over Montreal. “It’s 2-2 late in the game and anything can happen. We needed 2 points; and we would have had a whole week to think about today’s game.”

The absence of Toews was reflected in a Hawks’ record that was noticeably worse the last time he suffered a significant injury.  Chicago went 5-10-2 when Toews sprained a knee in March 2008, and their narrow failure to reach the postseason was the result.

When a frightening hit October 21st by Vancouver’s Willie Mitchell leveled Toews, old fears were stirred. So far, Chicago’s leader and number one centerman has missed four straight games with a concussion.

While Ben Eager’s contribution may be more modest, the robust winger made his impact during last year’s run to the Conference Finals. Eager has already missed 11 games with a concussion. It was reported that he had “moved a step closer to returning to the lineup”, skating at the end of last week. Given this was Eager’s first time on the ice since his injury, there are questions—given his history of concussions—about when and even if he will return.

Agitator and checking center Adam Burish’s torn MCL sidelines him until March, so the current version of the ‘Big Bad Black Hawks’ is not quite as big and bad.

The departure of Martin Havlat was to be filled by Marian Hossa, but after rotator cuff surgery, the Slovak star is not expected until December.

Yet, the Blackhawks are ahead of where they were at this time last year. Sitting atop the Central Division, with an 8-4-1 record (a .653 percentage that would see them equal their previous 104-point finish), the Hawks are doing it with defense. They are third best in the West with a GAA of just 2.31.

More importantly, the Hawks seem to have gained the maturity necessary to win close games. With the exception of their 4-0 win over the Panthers during their Helsinki opening twin bill, and their 2-0 victory over Nashville, every contest has been decided by a single goal.

Ex-Devil John Madden has brought discipline and maturity to the team.

The losses have been addressed with a sober attitude that contradicts last year’s swagger. Voices like those of Brian Campbell, Patrick Sharp and Kris Versteeg have bluntness in their post-game comments. They seem to know it won’t come easy this year, and that every point gained and lost can be meaningful down the road.

Perhaps the presence of former Devil, Frank Selke and Stanley Cup winner John Madden has tempered the exuberance of youth. With Madden, the Blackhawks have improved their two-way game, including a previous weakness on face-offs, thus improving their puck possession time and control of the play. Madden knows all about ‘The System’ being more important than the individual, and having ‘been there’, he can transmit his hockey wisdom to his teammates. While no Blackhawk is tearing up the score sheet, the record shows that everyone is contributing. Rather ‘Devilish’ of them.

Patrick Kane has also undergone a transformation. The glib kid who embellishes the cover of EA Sports’ NHL computer game is stronger and smarter. Cutting down on giveaways, he is still making slick plays, and scoring sick goals; and has set close to a point-per-game pace so far.

Joel Quenneville, a tough, effective if unspectacular defenseman in his playing days, seems to have continued his education of the Hawks d-corps. Brent Sopel, injured last year and castigated by critics, is delivering solid games, whether stepping in to partner Keith in Seabrook’s absence, or in his regular spot with Cam Barker.

The big story, though, may be how goaltender Cristobal Huet has turned his performance around. Vilified early in the season for the dreaded ‘soft’ goals and perceived lapses in concentration at opportune times, Huet has exemplified Nietzsche’s adage, “what does not kill me makes me stronger.” He now sports a 2.29 goals against average and has allowed only four goals while winning three of his last four starts.

After a rough start, Cristobal Huet is playing like a Number One.

November does not promise any ‘gimmes’ for the Blackhawks, as they embark on a schedule which has them playing eight of the next dozen on the road. Including an extended, western trip, the next four weeks feature a pair of battles against the Kings, Sharks, and Conference-leading Colorado with former Hawks ‘tender Craig Anderson; grudge matches with the Flames and the Canucks; the surprising Coyotes; and the always challenging Anaheim Ducks. Their Original Six rivalry with the Maple Leafs sees them hosting Toronto mid-month.

Can the Hawks hold serve until their stars return? This is a test of character for Chicago’s hockey heroes. But if they see themselves as the contenders everyone else seems to, ‘winning ugly’ will be beautiful for the Blackhawks.

David Morris covers the Chicago Blackhawks for Sports Then and Now.