Chicago Blackhawks Are Jekyll or Hyde? Team Searches for an Identify Out West

As the Chicago Blackhawks depart Western Canada after the first week of a two week road trip, there continues to be a maddening lack of consistency that has plagued the club.

This past week saw the Hawks at their high flying best and at their passionless worst.  Which Blackhawks team is going to emerge?  Or will one emerge?

Has Chicago shown it's true colors as a squad with a split personality this season?

The Hawks sandwiched two blowout wins against Edmonton and Vancouver around a pathetic no-show in Calgary Friday night.  Despite blanking the Oilers 5-0 and coming out of Vancouver with an impressive 7-1 victory, a potential breakout weekend was dampened by Calgary's 7-2 victory over the Blackhawks.

Hey, at least we're not talking about one-goal games.

On the surface, the Western Canada swing of the trip is easy to explain.  The Hawks settled the score in Edmonton, looked past the Flames to a big road game with the Canucks.  No problem, right?

Actually, it's a big problem.

I think it's a big problem that the Hawks, after failing to be mentally ready to whip beatable teams like the Oilers, Columbus, and New Jersey at home, are able to see fit to take a night off against a struggling Calgary team.  A team that should have been beaten, or at least given a competitive game.

I think it's a big problem that this team still doesn't seem to get the fact that Stanley Cup champions have to show up every night.  They must bring the desire to compete against every opponent.  I don't understand why this lesson wasn't beaten into these guys' heads before coming into Calgary and lying down.

With every Blackhawks goal in the win over Vancouver, I thought more and more about the talent this team still has and their inability to harness it from one night to another.  If the lesson didn't sink in Friday night, here it is in the simplest possible terms.

Championship teams bring championship effort against everyone.

We've left at least ten points out on the ice this year, counting the loss to Calgary.  We can't afford to leave many more out there.

Here's a quick look at the Jekyll and Hyde's of the first week of the Circus Trip:

Jekyll:  Wednesday and Saturday Nights

The Hawks managed 88 shots on goal in these two games.  They controlled the puck and played at their tempo in both contests despite looking a little tentative in the first period Saturday.  They got scoring from all four lines and looked like a team coming out of hibernation..

Hyde:  Friday Night 

Outscored.  Outplayed.  Out hit.  Out of excuses.  This team was at full strength, coming off a blowout win, and had the night off before coming into Calgary looking to build momentum.  And still they couldn't find a sufficient sense of urgency against the Flames.

Jekyll:  Team Health

Brian Campbell (+8) has looked real good since his return.  Marian Hossa and Dave Bolland have also been back for several games now.  According to the team, everyone is healthy.  Let's hope it lasts in California.

Hyde:  Team Penalties

Early penalties in both Friday and Saturday's games are a disturbing trend.  The Hawks took control of the Vancouver game once they stopped giving up the power play. 

Jekyll: Dave Bolland, Defensive Center

Bolland did a pretty nice job keeping Vancouver's top line out of the net.

Hyde: Dave Bolland, Second Line Center

Bolland had an assist Saturday, but it was his only point in three games last week.  He should be on the third line doing what he does best.  Patrick Sharp should be centering the second line.

Jekyll:  The Jake Dowell/Bryan Bikell/Jack Skille Line

Skille is starting to get the puck into the net, which makes things happen.  Dowell continues to provide energy and Bickell is beginning to show improvement.  They're +5, +7, and + 3, respectively.  This group deserves more ice time. 

Hyde: Tomas Kopecky

Why Kopecky is playing more minutes most nights than Skille is baffling.  Kopecky doesn't really belong on the second line with Hossa, and he's been taking some dumb penalties lately. 

Jekyll: Corey Crawford

Crawford came up with some big saves early against the Canucks and kept it scoreless until the offense lit up Roberto Luongo in the second period.  Along with Marty Turco's shutout of Edmonton, two quality starts in goal...

Hyde: Turco's Seven Goals Allowed vs. Calgary

...bookending a real ugly night on Turco's part, no thanks to the defensive effort (or lack thereof).  At least he manned up afterward and took his share of the blame. 

Jekyll: Troy Brouwer

Goals in back to back games this weekend may signal the start of a more productive Brouwer.  And I was glad to see his dad at the Vancouver game and doing well.

Hyde: Troy Brouwer

That makes just three goals on the season for a guy who had 22 in 2009-10.  A turnover Friday night led to Calgary's first goal and personifies Brouwer's season thus far.  A guy who we expected big things from this year has been inconsistent and missing in action some nights.

Just like the Hawks.