Chicago Blackhawks: 7 Keys To Getting Back Into the Stanley Cup Hunt

The Chicago Blackhawks found out that defending the Stanley Cup was anything but a cakewalk in the 2010-11 campaign.

From hoisting the cup in Philadelphia to Game 7 disappointment in Vancouver, the 'Hawks found that a season as top dog brought with it it's own challenges. A summer of celebrating and departing playoff heroes caught up with the 2010-11 squad.

With a new season approaching, the Blackhawks are gearing up for a quest of reclaiming the Stanley Cup. There are new faces to weave into the mix as well as a returning group that may have a different perspective from the previous season.

As training camp draws closer, here are seven keys for the 'Hawks hoisting yet another cup.

1. Re-Establish Home Ice

Chicago struggled at home for most of the season, going 24-17 at the United Center.

Comparing the last three seasons, the 'Hawks have fared about the same on the road, earning the following amount of points in opposing buildings.

2008-09: 48

2009-10: 50

2010-11: 49

Now, here are the point totals at home for the last three seasons.

2008-09: 56

2009-10: 62

2010-11: 48

Chicago lost four home games in a row from October 29th to November 10th. They also dropped three of their last four home dates going into the playoffs.

Taking care of business at home is essential to the Blackhawks.

2. Show Up for Every Opponent

The Blackhawks let a lot of beatable opponents off the hook early in the season.

In between two embarrassing home losses to Edmonton came a 3-2 defeat in New York to the Rangers and a shameful performance November 3rd when a banged up New Jersey Devils club came to town.

Without many of their big stars at the end of a long road trip, the Devils were ripe for the picking.

However, even after losing Martin Brodeur midway through the contest, the Devils beat Chicago 5-3.

When two points separated the fourth through eighth playoff seeds, giveaways like these hurt last season's Blackhawks big time.

This season's Blackhawks need to realize that lackadaisical efforts early in the season came come back to haunt them.

3. Avoid Sophomore Slumps

Obviously, Corey Crawford is being depended on to deliver similar mastery of the net as he did for stretches of the 2010-11 season.

A big raise in pay for the next three years may add a little more pressure.

Brian Bickell also had a surprising effective season in his first full season. Matching last season's total of 17 goals isn't nearly as important for Bickell as taking his game to the net more often.

Nick Leddy can hardly be considered a rookie, having played in 46 regular season games and all seven playoff contests. That said, this 20-year-old defenseman is a young player on whom the 'Hawks have saddled with a lot of responsibility in the upcoming season.

His sophomore campaign is in need of some fast growing up in the face of Brian Campbell's departure from the defense. How he develops in 2011-12 will be watched closely.

4. Be Ready to Make the Big Move at the Trade Deadline

Bowman has left the 'Hawks cap space of nearly $4 million.

This should curtail the need to do the Rockford shuffle with the younger players and should allow the team to keep a full roster of 23 players.

It also provides the opportunity to make a big move at the trade deadline.

Aside from Steve Montador, Chicago was pretty thrifty in the free agent market this summer. They loaded up with one-year veterans with low cap outlays.

The thinking is that Bowman can afford to pull the trigger on a major midseason move if need be to address any needs that may reveal themselves.

Bowman hasn't been afraid to pick up an extra piece, getting Michael Frolik and Chris Campoli last February. The money is there, presumably for an impact move. Will the 'Hawks need that impact center they chose not to add in the summer?

5. Give Corey Crawford Less to Do

Marty Turco found himself facing a higher volume of shots than he probably expected when he signed to play goalie for Chicago in the 2010-11 season.

Both net minders found themselves handling more shots than the 2009-10 tandem of Cristobal Huet and Antti Niemi.

Crawford on average faced 27.78 shots per 60 minutes as opposed to Turco, who had a 60 minute average of 29.39.

Both totals were well over the 25.1 shots the Blackhawks allowed per contest the year before.

With players like Montador and Sean O'Donnell around to aid Brent Seabrook in clearing the puck from the front of the net, that average should come down. Crawford probably wouldn't mind avoiding the start Turco saw last season that saw him face an average of 34 shots in his first eight games.

6. Don't Get Carried Away with the Physical Play

Steps were taken to give the Blackhawks a more physical edge this season.

Players like Montador, O'Donnell, Jamal Mayers and Daniel Carcillo were brought on board to provide a measure of toughness that seemed to be missing at times last season.

Just remember that this team likes to use their speed at the top to their advantage, and that they were terrible on the penalty kill for most of last season.

If the 'Hawks start mugging opponents, it takes them out of their game. Chicago is at it's best when they can deliver the big hits within the framework of their up-tempo style.

Guys like Mayers and Carcillo, as opposed to the immobile John Scott, should be able to do that. As a result, they can provide the grit on the lower lines needed to keep teams from teeing off on the skill players.

7. An Energized, Refocused Core Needs to Get Hungry for a Second Cup

The "cup hangover" defense has ceased to be a factor in the performance of the Blackhawks' top players.

Hopefully the long summer left the core thirsting for another chance to drink from the Stanley Cup.

All last season, the team seemed to lack the urgency of defending their championship.

Were they tired from the playoff runs of the previous two seasons? Did a young team have to adjust to life as the hunted rather than the hunter? Was the team as hungry for the second cup as they were for the first?

Go ask the 'Hawks of the 60's how many cups they thought they should have won after the 1961 championship. It's not easy to make it back up the mountain. To that those great Chicago teams can attest.

I have to think Jonathan Toews spent his extended summer plotting his team's return to the top. To a man, the core of this team should commit themselves to attaining the ultimate goal once again.