How Far Can These Chicago Blackhawks Make It This Season?

Looking back on the season that the Chicago Blackhawks have had so far, one would come to the conclusion that this team is the real deal.

With a 27-13-6 record, the Blackhawks are in prime position to make another run at Lord Stanley's Cup. But in the first half of the season, the Blackhawks have been inconsistent, saved by the fact that they can score a bunch of goals with their top-six forwards.  

The Blackhawks face more than a few questions heading down the stretch. The way these questions are answered will in no doubt effect how far the Blackhawks will make it in the postseason this year.  

Of course, the biggest question is about defense. Duncan Keith, the Blackhawks' No. 1 defenseman, has looked largely inconsistent this season. Keith has flashed signs of his old 2010 self—the season in which he won the Norris Trophy—this season. But he has also showed signs of fatigue, allowing the opposing team's forwards to skate right by him and enter the zone.

There is also the matter of Nick Leddy, the 20-year-old kid who is in his first full season this year. He has played well and handled himself accordingly, but he's been slumping as of late. Will Leddy be able to endure the second half of the season and possibly a long playoff run?  Only time will tell.

The question of the third line is also a tricky one; mainstays Michael Frolik and Bryan Bickell have been on season-long slumps.

Frolik has five goals and eight assists in 44 games this season and is on pace for 26 points—well below what is expected. Bickell has four goals and five assists in 40 games, leading to questions of whether or not he will be traded before the deadline.  

Both players will be expected to pick up the pace as the season goes on. The Blackhawks need production from the third line to help ease some pressure off the top two lines.

The unexpected play from Jimmy Hayes and Andrew Shaw has helped the Blackhawks win some games this season. But these two rookies have no playoff experience and have played very little in the NHL. Can they perform down the stretch and in the playoffs? If the Blackhawks want a long playoff run, it is imperative that these two keep up their great play.

Then there's the matter of whether or not Stan Bowman will be able to pick up another player to compliment the already-full Blackhawks lineup. With over $5 million in cap space, the Blackhawks will surely be looking to add another defenseman to help bring that goal total down a bit.

For the Blackhawks to make it back to the Stanley Cup Finals, their top-six forwards must continue to play great. Their third and fourth lines also need to continue to contribute on a nightly basis, and the goaltending must be solid. 

Heading down the stretch, if the Blackhawks remain inconsistent, they might be looking at a first-round exit to close out their season, which would be a disappointment for a team with such high expectations.