What's Gone Wrong with the Chicago Blackhawks?

The Chicago Blackhawks, a team that steamrolled their way through tough road trips in January and February and was considered a serious contender in the Western Conference, have seen their momentum disappear as their schedule has become more home-heavy.

Since the start of March, the Blackhawks have won three games, the last of which was on March 11. So what's gone wrong?

They're soft, that's what.

Teams have watched film of the 'Hawks, who are incredibly skilled skaters and puck handlers. The defense has some muscle in Brent Seabrook and Matt Walker, but the face (and financial bulk) of the defense is Brian Campbell, who takes a penalty roughly once a month.

The Hawks front line players aren't physical, either. Now, it's obvious that Patrick Kane, who's listed at a generous 175 pounds, isn't going to throw someone across the ice. But even the Blackhawks' generously-sized forwards are more inclined to skate around their opponent rather than through, and players on other teams have taken notice.

Over the past couple weeks, opposing clubs have started to noticeably pick on the 'Hawks. This season, Chicago has regularly outshot their opponent by 50 to 100 percent in the first period; this is by design. But now, teams are trying to establish a physical presence on the ice right off the bat, knowing it will take the Blackhawks out of their game.

Chicago has shown an inability to multi-task on the ice: They can't play their controlled, efficient offensive sets and physically at the same time. Youngsters like Cam Barker, Adam Burish, and Dustin Byfuglien are regularly the recipients of shots early in games, knowing there is a strong likelihood that they'll try to reciprocate.

Many times over the last three weeks, Barker, Burish, or Byuglien has been seen slamming into the boards while the other team gets a three-on-two or two-on-one breakaway for a cheap shot on goal.

What's playing an intriguing role in this trend is the only move the 'Hawks made at the trade deadline this year, sending James Wisniewski to the Ducks for Sami Pahlsson.

"Wiz" was a veteran enforcer on the blue line for the Hawks who could be counted on to bring a strong presence to the ice within the context of the offense. Without him, the Blackhawks have been failing to establish that for a month.

The 'Hawks will need to figure out how to compete with a team that brings a physical approach to the game soon, because a first-round Playoff match up against Vancouver or Calgary could easily spell the end of this resurgent season on Chicago's west side.