Chicago Blackhawks Roar into March: 9 Ways to Remain an NHL Playoff Lion

The Chicago Blackhawks are definitely entering the month of March like a lion.

The Blackhawks are flying high, having won seven of their last eight games and notching points in 10 of their last 11. Chicago is currently riding a six-game win streak, the longest of the season for the team.

After finishing off a 6-4 win over Calgary Wednesday night, the Hawks sit in the fourth spot in the Western Conference and would host Phoenix in the first round of the playoffs if the season ended today.

However, the season doesn't end today.

In fact, the push has only begun.

The Hawks, who mere days ago were sitting in the 11th spot, have 76 points. The Coyotes have that same point total, and underneath Phoenix lies Calgary, Dallas, and Los Angeles.

Don't get me wrong. I'd rather be looking down upon those clubs than looking up at them. I just hope the Blackhawks are ready to do more than just enjoy the view.

Dallas, Nashville and Anaheim are prime examples that teams can fall from the top very quickly the way the pack is bunched together in the West. Chicago's 4-2 win over Minnesota capped an 8-3-2 February, easily their best month of the season. A similar March record would start to open up the possibility of hosting that first round series.

The trouble is, March hasn't been kind to the Blackhawks the last few years.

Chicago has gone 6-7-2, 6-7-1 and 8-6-1 in March in the previous three seasons. The month seems to catch the team a bit worn down. This year a lamblike March would likely send us down the standings again.

Of course, you could say the Hawks have been in hibernation mode all season and it's about time they woke up for the playoff push.

Another eight wins this month would help put some distance between Chicago and the pack.

Here are some keys to the Hawks remaining lions in March.

1. Keep Winning Head-to-Head Matchups with the Pack

The month has opened with a big home victory over the Flames. Extending the streak to six wins with a regulation victory was vital.  The Blackhawks weathered a fierce third period comeback to pick up two points against a hot Calgary squad.

Chicago also has opportunities to pick up points in Phoenix and Dallas on March 17th and 20th respectively and hosts the Ducks on March 26th. Wins in all of these games should be a big priority as they will continue to separate the Blackhawks from the pack.

The Blackhawks also have division leaders San Jose and Detroit this month.

Sound like every game is huge? That's because they are.

2. Keep Grinding Out Points Against Eastern Opponents

Seven of Chicago's 13 March opponents hail from the Eastern Conference. Three-point games do not hurt us on these nights.

The Blackhawks host Carolina on March 4th before departing on a four-game swing through the East. This includes Toronto on the 5th, Florida and Tampa Bay on the 8th and 9th respectively and Washington (in an 11:30 a.m. puck drop) on the 13th.

Chicago hosts the Panthers on the 23rd of the month and then goes to Boston on the 29th.

3. Keep Jonathan Toews the Same Competitive Fellow He's Been All Season

Toews must have lit a fire under this team. They aren't throwing many dominating 60-minute efforts at opponents, but they are finding ways to finish games. Case in point: Monday night in Minnesota.

Admit it. When the Wild scored that second goal, it was easy to think, "Here we go again."

Tomas Kopecky's ill-timed delay of game penalty would have paved the way for the tying goal a month ago. Instead, the Hawks got a short-handed goal (courtesy of Toews and Marian Hossa) and put the game away.

The same thing happened Wednesday night.  The Hawks led 4-1 at one point, then let the Flames get back into the game with a pair of goals early in the third.  That might have led to a collapse earlier this season, but Chicago's second line responded.  Dave Bolland netted the eventual game-winner at the 10:19 mark.

All of a sudden, this team remembered how to win. Toews shouldn't let them forget.

4. Keep Getting Marian Hossa Scoring Opportunities

Hossa has roared back to life in the scoring department.

He has goals in each of his last five games and 10 points in his last nine. He's skating strong, looking to score and gaining confidence at just the right time of the season.

5. Keep the Lines Rolling

The forward lines are what they are. No playmaking center was brought into the fold. Ryan Johnson getting regular time at the position is making his midseason acquisition seem like a big move right now because he's contributing on defense and at the dot.

That's good, because as long as the Hawks can send out Toews, Dave Bolland, Johnson and Jake Dowell, there is hope for this team. If a center goes down and we start seeing Kopecky (who I really like on our fourth line) on a regular basis, there's trouble afoot.

If Patrick Sharp has to leave a red-hot top line and center the second line in order to keep Kopecky on the wing, swallow hard and do it. Bring up Jeff Taffe and let him center one of the lower two lines if Dowell or Johnson misses time, but keep Kopecky where he is.

6. Keep the Defense Well Stocked and on the Ice

Despite the move Chicago made for Chris Campoli, the Hawks are skating on thin ice in the department of the blue line.

Niklas Hjalmarsson skated 15 minutes in each of his last two games was very nearly a scratch Sunday at Phoenix. It's apparent that something is wrong, and it may take a few nights off to get our main shot blocker at close to 100 percent.

Jordan Hendry is out for the remainder of the season, which stings more when you consider how versatile he has been filling in at forward. John Scott is not a serious option for more than three or four minutes (although I must give him props for defending Brian Campbell Monday).

Not counting the Murdersaurus and including new acquisition Chris Campoli, we have just six healthy defensemen on the roster (five and a half considering Hjalmarsson). The organization must face facts and have at least seven legitimate players available. At this point, Garnet Exelby or Jassen Cullimore (if and when he is healthy) needs to be up with the club.

Say what you want about them, but they both are experienced NHL defensemen. No matter how you slice it, they are the best options we have.

7. Keep Crawford in Net

Crawford has shouldered the load between the pipes during Chicago's surge and should continue to get the bulk of the work.

I see Marty Turco getting three starts this month. The Hawks have four back-to-backs, the first coming this weekend in what will be a stretch of four games in six days. Put Turco in net in Toronto and use him in a couple of the back-to-backs to keep Crawford fresh.

Just remember that Crawford has earned the right to be the workhorse. He gives us the best chance to win every night, so get him out there for the bulk of the games.

8. Keep Coach Q Out of the Hospital

One emergency room visit per season is enough, guys. His ulcer supposedly wasn't caused by stress (yeah, right), but focused play from the Blackhawks will at least keep the Q-stache happy. 

9. Keep the Foot on the Gas

You can apply this to finishing off opponents or to not being satisfied with their playoff position. Striving to wind up at the bottom of the playoff heap doesn't leave a lot of room for error.

Barring a collapse in the Motor City, we aren't catching the Red Wings. However, if the Hawks can stretch this win streak out a few more games and continue to find ways to pick up points, holding on to that fourth seed is at least a possibility.

As long as the lion doesn't turn into a lamb, that is.