Chicago Blackhawks Emerge Defensively as Circus Trip Wraps Up

The flight from Los Angeles should be upbeat for the Chicago Blackhawks as they capped off the annual Circus Trip with a pair of impressive victories.

If the Blackhawks remember to pack the team defense they showed in Southern California, they may be capable of making headway in the Western Conference standings.

For me, two plays stood out this weekend.  Friday afternoon, midway through the third period.  Troy Brouwer separates Kyle Chipchura from the puck with a big hit, skates down to the front of the net and bangs home a goal, completing Jack Skille and Jake Dowell's great work with the puck.

Saturday night, at the 10-minute mark of the second, Patrick Kane breaks up a 2-on-1, streaks down the ice with Patrick Sharp and finds Sharp on the right side to give the Hawks a 1-0 lead in the contest.

There were other nice plays, to be sure—the third period game-winner Saturday.  Keith's shorty and Sharp's steal and goal against the Ducks.  If this weekend tells us anything, it's that Chicago is beginning to embrace team defense.

The forwards are making defensive plays in our zone and turning them into goal opportunities.

We're taking better care of the puck in front of and behind the net.

We're controlling the puck and limiting shots on goal.  We allowed 29, 27, and 22 shots in the three California games.

Corey Crawford did not allow an even-strength goal this weekend in his two games.  He stopped the big shots late in the Kings game and seems to be more confident in each game he plays.  Crawford's played great, but let's not forget a big part of his success.  Namely, the guys in front of him taking care of business.

It's heartening to see everyone doing his job so that one guy isn't taking on sole defensive responsibility.  Nearly two months after the start of the season, the Blackhawks seem to have figured it out defensively.

This team has a sizable hole from which to climb, but for the first time this season, we have reason to believe that it could happen.  And that's something to be excited about.