Blackhawks: What to think entering the NHL All-Star Game Pause
The Chicago Blackhawks have struggled mightily this season, what to think going into the All-Star break.
By Jim Lynch
The Chicago Blackhawks are 14-34-2 going into the 2024 NHL All-Star Break. While the team is at the bottom of the standings, there are some positives to take away.
The Blackhawks have struggled mightily this season but there are still positives to take away.
The Blackhawks are 2-8-0 in their last ten games, which definitely is not great. However considering the amount of injuries the roster has played through, they really have shined.
The Blackhawks lost Connor Murphy, Tyler Johnson, Nikita Zaitsev, Connor Bedard and Anthony Beauvillier in January. The team has also been without Andreas Athanasiou and Taylor Hall for an extensive amount of time.
The Blackhawks have been struggling to score, but the entire roster has stepped up playing competitive hockey. Even without star players the team is playing in close games, losing by just one goal in recent matchups with the Flames, Jets and Oilers.
The Hawks have been led by players like Jason Dickinson and Philipp Kurashev in Bedard's absense. Kurashev is averaging over 18 minutes of ice time a night and in his last five games has put up 13 shots on goal.
The Blackhawks are still rebuilding, but their roster is definitely going through a lot of character building right now. Luke Richardson is building a team that plays tough and physical hockey, and while the Hawks have struggled to find the back of the net, they have played that brand of hockey.
Losing is not fun, and the franchise just set a franchise record losing their 20th consecutive game on the road with their loss on Saturday, Jan. 27 to the Calgary Flames.
The Blackhawks have won just 14 games this season, of those wins ten have been at home while just four have been on the road.
The Blackhawks entered last year's all-star break having amounted 34 points, this season they have just 30. The team is on pace to finish once again with a great chance at drafting first overall.
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The Blackhawks have been without Connor Bedard for a few weeks now, one thing that has been apparent is how important drafting another difference maker like Bedard to take this team to the next level.