Chicago Blackhawks: Five Signs of Improvement as They Return Home on Win Streak

The Chicago Blackhawks return to the United Center Sunday following a nine-game road trip. Though most of the 'Hawks travels produced losing results over the last three weeks, the last leg of the trip brought some optimism.

After dropping the first six games of the trip, Chicago looked within for some answers and turned in a pretty decent week of hockey. There was a loss to the Predators, which stretched the losing streak to nine games dating back to last month.

However, Chicago posted back-to-back wins to close out their time away from home.

The Blackhawks still lost vital ground to division opponents on the trip. They also let several teams close the gap below them in the conference standings. On the other hand, it was nice to see the team come out of their tailspin.

Chicago now has a winning streak going that it would like to extend Sunday morning against the Blues. After going almost a month without a win, there are some positive signs.

Here are five of those sings to ponder as the 'Hawks ready themselves for a three-game home stand. 

1. Corey Crawford

Crawford started the trip with a solid night in Vancouver, then looked lost in lopsided games in Edmonton and San Jose. Crawford allowed five goals in each of those contests.

It looked as if Ray Emery was going to get a chance to earn the top spot in net for the 'Hawks. An 0-4 record, 3.68 goals against average and an .864 save percentage on the trip allowed Joel Quenneville to give Crawford the chance to solidify his game.

In his last two starts, Crawford gave up just three goals. He made 34 saves Saturday in Columbus. He is staying closer to his net and for the time being it has produced results. Having an effective Crawford in net is a matter of importance for the 'Hawks.

For the time being, the arrow is pointing up.

2. The 'Hawks Top Four

In the two wins against the Rangers and Blue Jackets, the top players have stepped up and factored heavily in the decisions.

Jonathan Toews has five points in his last two games, including the penalty shot that got things started in New York Thursday night.

Marian Hossa had two goals and four points on the last leg of the road trip. Patrick Sharp had a goal Thursday and a three-point effort against Columbus. Patrick Kane also tallied a goal Saturday and has three points in his last two games.

These are the players upon whom the Blackhawks have depended on through much of the season. Seeing them all pick up their games lately is a very good sign.

3. Bryan Bickell

Another guy who has stepped up his play has been Chicago forward/whipping boy Bryan Bickell. His defense has been improving steadily over the last few weeks, and he is starting to contribute in the opposition's zone.

Bickell has points in three of his last five games. He hustled into the offensive zone to take a pass from Jamal Mayers and rifle a wrist shot home Tuesday in the eventual loss to Nashville. He also found Viktor Stalberg with a nice feed for what proved to be the game-winning score in Columbus.

Bickell's minutes have climbed steadily in the last five games. Further emergence can only boost the Blackhawks, as well his trade value if Chicago decides to go in that direction.

4. The Penalty Kill

A 0-for-23 performance on the road trip by the power play is still in need of a breakout. However, the 'Hawks ability to play a man down improved substantially by the end of the road trip.

A change to a more traditional box formation led to the forwards clogging the shooting lanes more effectively. Coupled with the improved play in net, Chicago did not allow a power-play goal in any of their last three games.

This included killing seven penalties in the Rangers win, which was a huge factor on the 4-2 outcome. For now, breaking even on the special teams at least gives the 'Hawks the chance to beat teams at even strength.

5. The Bottom Defensemen

With Niklas Hjalmarsson and Steve Montador out of the lineup since after February 7th's loss in Colorado, the Blackhawks have been in dire need of help on defense.

They've gotten it, but not from a trade just yet. Chicago has had some players step up in this department as well.

The defensive efforts over the last three games has been decidedly better despite missing two key players on the blue line. Dylan Olsen and Sami Lepisto have both committed their share of miscues, but have contributed valuable minutes. John Scott has also skated a bit on the back end.

Olsen, who has been playing 15-20 minutes a night since being recalled February 10th, notched his first NHL point in Columbus. Lepisto, though benched for a turnover that led to the Blue Jackets goal, got back into the lineup in the third period and got his first goal of the season.

Scott took shifts on both sides of the puck this week. He took on the ill-advised challenge of Derek Dorsett late in the game Saturday, with predictable results.

With both Hjalmarsson and Montador out for the foreseeable future and GM Stan Bowman slow to get a deal done for a defenseman, the bottom of the defensive depth chart will continue to factor heavily as Chicago tries to keep up the winning ways.