The Chicago Blackhawks and The Stanley Cup

After shutting out the surging Coyotes last night, who entered the United Center riding dominant a 9-game win streak, the Chicago Blackhawks are now in their rightful spot in the NHL Western Conference: on top.

The Hawks are now sitting at 99 points, looking down on the San Jose Sharks, the Vancouver Canucks, and the Phoenix Coyotes themselves.

Although they are best in the West, the Hawks haven't been playing their best hockey lately; since the Olympic Break, the Blackhawks are only 5-6.

Even though the Blackhawks look like a heavy contender for Lord Stanley's Cup, they still have many question marks surrounding them, specifically regarding their goalie situation. Antti Niemi is on another hot streak but has dropped to 2nd in the NHL in GAA, now standing at 2.19. Although 2.19 is a phenomenal goals against average, I still have my worries about him. Can he really carry the Hawks through the playoffs to the Cup? He's going to need to since Cristobal Huet can't do it alone.

I wish the Hawks would have jumped on the Tomas Vokoun opportunities...

In the six losses the Blackhawks have recorded since the break, it seems that in all of them they have been out-hustled and out-skated. Hustle and effort are components the Hawks can lack on some nights, which leads to their inconsistency. Unfortunately, injuries have been lurking recently for the Blackhawks, just ask Brian Campbell.

Campbell was shoved into the boards from behind just ten days ago by Capitals superstar Alex Ovechkin. Campbell is a stud on defense for the Hawks and he will be missed as a broken collarbone may keep him out for the rest of the regular season and possibly a chunk of the playoffs.

Also, Brent Seabrook was concussed from a dirty hit by ex-Hawk punisher, James Wisniewski. Fortunately, Seabrook has returned to the Blackhawk lineup.

Aside from the amount of question marks, the Blackhawks are an extremely dangerous team that will slip under nobody's radar. Led by their captain and one of hockey's best two-way players, Jonathan Toews, the Hawks score in bunches. Supporting roles for Toews include phenoms Patrick Kane and Marian Hossa, but also Patrick Sharp.

Not only do the Hawks have a great offense, they also have developed a very solid defense thanks to the help of Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook. If Niemi and Huet  can get hot in the playoffs, expect to see the Hawks at least in the Western Conference Finals.