Chicago Blackhawks: 5 Ways to Lion Up and March to the Postseason

The Chicago Blackhawks need to enter their March schedule like a lion.

They also need to finish it like a lion. In fact, roaring through the entire month would be a welcome change from the lamb-like 5-9 record they posted in February.

The 'Hawks have been on a roller coaster in recent weeks, losing nine straight then winning four in a row. A three-game skid was broken Wednesday against Toronto. Now Chicago hopes to shake off some key injuries and special teams nightmares to get the arrow pointed upward as the season winds down.

Here are five keys to the 'Hawks getting their game in full lion-mode, and keeping it there, through the team's final 17 games.

1. Start Winning on the Road

The schedule is more balanced from here on out, with eight of Chicago's last 17 games being at the United Center.

However, the Blackhawks are 2-10-2 since Jan. 5 in the other team's building and are starting a tough three-game stretch on the road.

Following the Senators, Chicago goes to Detroit for a Sunday afternoon game, then St. Louis on Tuesday. Aside from ending the season in Minnesota, and Detroit April 5 and 7, this is the last time the 'Hawks will be away from home for more than a game.

Those one-night stands include visits to Dallas, Columbus, New Jersey and Nashville. To solidify their hold on a playoff seed, the Blackhawks have to work towards improving their 12-17-3 road mark in their final nine away games.

2. Ride the Goalie Carousel

Neither Corey Crawford nor Ray Emery seem to be picking the team up as we head to the end of the season.

Both goalies have had some decent runs over the course of the season, but it appears that coach Joel Quenneville will have to go with the hot hand these last five weeks.

For the moment, that means Emery, who gets a start against the team he took to the Stanley Cup finals in 2007.

Last year, it was Crawford who shouldered the load down the stretch. He doesn't appear to be of a similar mindset after giving up three first-period goals against Toronto Feb. 29.

Crawford had played well in Chicago's four-game win streak last month, but until someone consistently stands tall in the net, consider the net situation to be a duet in the final weeks.

3. Don't Wait for the Captain to Save the Day

I know how much Jonathan Toews means to the success of the Blackhawks.

I know that Chicago is 2-4 in games without their captain.

However, if the 'Hawks are waiting for Tazer to ride in and carry this team into the playoffs, there's a good chance that it will be too late for a returning Toews to make a difference.

Whether it's a concussion or a shoulder that is keeping him out of the lineup, Toews may not be returning anytime soon.

As weak as that leaves Chicago up the middle, players like Patrick Kane and Patrick Sharp have to rise to the occasion.

4. Start Getting Something, Anything, from the Power Play

When you can count the number of power-play goals on one finger for the month of February, you really can't call it a power play.

Director of player development Barry Smith, who was an assistant of senior ddvisor Scotty Bowman in Detroit, was on the ice in practice on Thursday addressing the 'Hawks power...I mean...man-advantage unit.

Something has to be done to improve upon a 5-on-4 unit that has plummeted to the bottom third in the league. Quenneville has tried changing personnel to little avail.

The cries that Chicago has too much talent to not punish teams for penalties can be heard across the Midwest at this point.

Whether it's creating more movement or getting more net presence, improvement needs to be made.

5. See How the Kids Can Help

Brandon Bollig made his 'Hawks debut in Chicago's 5-4 win over Toronto. Andrew Shaw had a goal in his return to Chicago, and Jimmy Hayes has also been inserted in front of the net on the man-advantage unit.

Dylan Olsen's minutes were reduced Wednesday night, but still figures to be in the mix, with Niklas Hjalmarsson and Steve Montador out with injuries.

With rosters expanding and Chicago short at center, might this be a good time to bring Brandon Pirri back up to the team? Ben Smith is also playing well down I-90.

A number of players who began the year in Rockford could factor heavily in how the Blackhawks finish the regular season.