NHL: Treading Water Isn't Good Enough for the Chicago Blackhawks

The Chicago Blackhawks closed out their six-game road trip this weekend with a pair of shootout losses, perfectly showcasing the mediocrity that has been their calling card for the bulk of the 2010-11 NHL season.

When the Hawks embarked on their first game in Columbus, they held the seventh seed in the West.  They now sit in the 11th spot as they continue to make their pursuit of the playoffs tougher with each passing game.

The Blackhawks were 2-2-2 on the swing, which included losses to four conference opponents who are currently ahead of Chicago in the standings.  Six points in six games isn't my idea of a charge up the standings.  I thought two weeks ago that if the Hawks could muster seven points, they could consider the trip a success.

The Hawks fell short of that benchmark, and the way they did was indicative of their struggles all season.  Chicago's two wins came in ho-hum performances against Columbus and Edmonton.  They turned in incomplete efforts in Calgary, Dallas and Phoenix,  leaving two points on the table this weekend against the Stars and Coyotes.

The closest thing to a solid effort came in Vancouver in a game they let slip away in the third period.  When you start praising losing efforts, chances are your team isn't very good.

The Hawks are just not very good right now, and the sands of the season are running out.

Moves Were Made—Are More On the Horizon?

The Hawks sent Jack Skille to Florida in a five-player swap.  Michael Frolik has yet to notch a point for the Hawks in two games, but he has been on the ice nearly twice as much as we saw Skille. 

Frolik made it pretty clear that he was a wing upon arriving in Dallas, which was a little odd since GM Stan Bowman made it seem like Frolik would be a solution to their problems at second-line center.

The addition of Frolik proved handy when Marian Hossa was out with the flu for the second game of the road trip.  Frolik and Hossa skated together Saturday, but with Tomas Kopecky between them, the second line's prospects don't appear great.

Another new addition to the lineup was Jeff Taffe, who was recalled by the Blackhawks Saturday after injuries to Viktor Stalberg, Fernando Pisani and Ryan Johnson, coupled by Jake Dowell missing with the flu.   Stalberg was in action for six minutes on Saturday, but Johnson is on injured reserve and Pisani may miss a few games after a ugly-looking hit in Dallas.

If they're going to be short-handed (John Scott on the ice for four minutes. 'Nuff said.), I wouldn't mind seeing Dowell centering Rockford teammates Taffe and Rob Klinkhammer on the fourth line for a few games.  Klinkhammer is a better fit on that line than Stalberg, even when healthy.

Gobble Up Some Home Cooking, Boys

The Hawks return to United Center for a three-game homestand, after which Chicago will not have more than two home dates in a row for the remainder of the season.  The Wild, who have overtaken Chicago in the standings, are first up Wednesday night.  Another date with the BlueJackets follows on Friday, then comes a nationally televised game with Pittsburgh.

Winning all of these games should be top priority for the Blackhawks.  Minnesota and Columbus are very winnable games, and if there is a good time to play the Penguins it would be now.

Stuck in the Same Old Situation

Chicago lost three games on this trip after being tied or in the lead after two periods.   They continue to show inconsistency and don't close out games.

Somewhere there roams a Blackhawks winning streak around here.  We've heard about this red-hot run during which the Hawks will shake off the contenders in the Western Conference and ascend to their rightful place with the conference elite.

You could point to Chicago's third-period rally in Phoenix that allowed them to claim a point on Saturday as a sign of momentum building, but we've been down this road before. 

The Blackhawks are going to have to win at least 16 of their last 26 games in order to be in the playoff hunt.  Whether they bring in new faces in the next week or two or choose to circle the wagons around the current roster,  Chicago is going to have to make every shift count.