Chicago Blackhawks: 6 Ways for the 'Hawks to Win in October

The Chicago Blackhawks are looking to hit the ground running in the first month of the 2011-12 season.

The Blackhawks came up with a split in their opening home-and-home with Dallas this weekend. Chicago has nine games remaining this month. How can the 'Hawks make the most of October?

1. Get Healthy

For this club, it all starts with health.

Chicago is a deeper team this season, but as evidenced by Dave Bolland over the weekend, the 'Hawks are a much better team with him in the lineup.

Bolland missed about a week with an upper body injury, and missed Chicago's 2-1 loss in Dallas before returning to contribute to the Blackhawks' 5-2 win over the Stars. Bolland was far from the only difference in the two games, but the center position is certainly more solid with him on the third line every night.

Ben Smith and Victor Stalberg are currently on injured reserve. Both may be back before the end of the month.

With Stalberg, it may be easier to pinpoint a return date. Smith is skating after taking a vicious hit from Brendan Smith in the penultimate preseason contest. His return comes when he is cleared to play, whenever that may be.

2. Work the Gaps in the Schedule

Unlike last year's breakneck pace, the 'Hawks have a chance to get in some rest and practice time. It seemed like the first three weeks a year ago were spent traveling and playing games.

Four days off between Saturday's win and a visit from Winnipeg allows some further healing time for Bolland, Stalberg and Smith. Giving Patrick Kane some practice time to continue his transformation into a center is nice to have early in the season.

Following games Thursday and Saturday against the Jets and Bruins, Chicago travels to Phoenix and Colorado on the 18th and 20th. The 'Hawks host the Avalanche on the 22nd, then have two off days before each of their next two games with Anaheim on the 25th and at Carolina the 28th.

A home date with Columbus on October 29th marks the only back-to-back games for the rest of the month. Appropriately, Nashville comes to Chicago on Halloween to complete the month.

It's a favorable schedule. Boston, the Ducks and Nashville will be tough games. After last season, no opponent should be overlooked.

Even so, an improved lineup should be expected to win six or more of the remaining nine games this month.

3. Get Daniel Carcillo in the Lineup

Carcillo is finally eligible to return to action after serving a two-game suspension for an incident that occurred in the playoffs last spring. He should be a welcome addition to the lineup.

The 'Hawks played a forward short all weekend. Coach Joel Quenneville chose to scratch Rostislav Olesz Saturday and go with an extra defender for the second night in a row. Carcillo's return should assure that doesn't happen again.

4. Leave the Seventh Defenseman in the Press Box

Following up the last point, Quenneville should pick six defenders, regardless of the pairings, and let them play together.

Just because the decision can be made to use Steve Montador or John Scott as an emergency forward doesn't mean they have to be used, especially with Olesz available Saturday.

Scott played three forgettable minutes in the United Center against the Stars. Surely Olesz might have provided more use in the lineup.

5. Stay the Course With Patrick Kane

If Kane is going to be expected to center the second line, then let him perform there throughout the game.

Quenneville abandoned his combinations when the 'Hawks failed to torch the nets Friday, despite the fact that Kane's line generated a lot of scoring chances.

I don't know if Kane is going to pan out as a center, but the short leash tactics won't help him make the transition.

6. Get Brandon Saad Back To His Junior Team

Saad has shown some attributes that will make him a fine NHL player in a few years. That said, he should be back in juniors before the end of the month.

He got his taste of the big, now go let him fill out his game. As players return to the lineup, it would be foolish to burn a year of Saad's newly signed entry deal.

It will be interesting to see where Saad and Marcus Kruger wind up in the next two weeks.

The Blackhawks would do well to come out of October with at least a 7-4 record. So far, the team has looked all right. The opportunities have been there.

We will soon see if this 'Hawks squad can maintain the focus in order to get the season off to a solid start in October.