Chicago Blackhawks: 6 Keys to Keep Rolling in November

The Chicago Blackhawks are taking their 7-2-2 season record on the road to Florida to begin the November portion of the 2011-12 season. Chicago's 16 points currently have them in a tie on top of the Western Conference with two surprising teams in Dallas and Edmonton.

The retooling of the roster by GM Stan Bowman has yielded positive results in the early going. Several new acquisitions are making their presence felt up and down the roster.

Are the 'Hawks capable of maintaining the pace set in the opening month? That all depends on how the team performs over their next 14 games.

Here are six ways the Blackhawks can keep the train rolling in November.

1. Bring Up Ben Smith

Smith has been skating nightly down in Rockford and he seems to be fully recovered from his preseason concussion. He has three goals in five games with the Ice Hogs.

It's time to call him up and put an end to the headache that is the John Scott/Rostislav Olesz soap opera.

Scott can't be trusted to skate even four or five minutes. Olesz is somehow viewed even more dismally by the organization, as the 'Hawks chose Scott to replace Daniel Carcillo during his most recent suspension.

By the end of this month, Olesz should be given ice time or his walking papers. Waive him and send him to Rockford if no one claims him. If the team wants to keep Scott in the team box the rest of the season, fine. Just don't put him out in place of a player who can make a difference.

Not only can Smith skate a regular shift, he will keep a fire lit under guys like Viktor Stalberg and Marcus Kruger, who have both turned in some nice performances recently.

2. Give Tazer Some Speed on His Wing

Jonathan Toews has seven points on the season, but it's becoming apparent that Andrew Brunette is having difficulty keeping up with the captain.

With Carcillo back for the time being, the Blackhawks should bring Patrick Sharp back up to the top line and try Stalberg on the other side. Brunette is a vital part of the power play, owning two of Chicago's four power play tallies. However, the team should attempt to give Toews a little more speed on his wing.

If it wouldn't break up a white hot second line, I'd say toss Marian Hossa up there with Toews and Sharp. That likely won't happen, as the center on that line has announced his presence with authority.

3. Keep Patrick Kane at Center

Kane has really delivered positive results in the face of the skeptical reaction brought on by his shift to the center position.

I tip my cap to him. I was right there with a lot of other writers questioning the validity of the move and it  feels good to be wrong in this case.

Kane and his linemate Hossa have 11 and 10 points, respectively. They've made Carcillo look like he belongs on the ice with two elite players when he skates with them. So far, Kane is a point per game player. His plus-six rating suggests concerns about the added defensive responsibilities aren't a big issue.

Let's see what Joel Quenneville does if November brings rougher going for the second line.

4. Don't Panic with the Power Play Unit

Yes, the power play has been without a pulse so far. The 0 for seven in the Nashville game was not an aberration. Four goals in 45 opportunities is pathetic and if problems persist it will surely result in the loss of key points.

Let's not panic just yet.

The opportunities have been there. The passing is starting to yield legitimate puck movement. Hold off on sending out wacky new groupings out there and see if some of those shots start falling.

5. See How Nick Leddy Stands on His Own

This may not be a decision as much as a necessity. Duncan Keith is currently "day-to-day" after taking a shot to the hand Monday.

That could mean we see Keith skating with Leddy Thursday against Florida. It could mean Keith is out for a week or two. You never know the way the 'Hawks cloak their injured players.

The 20-year-old Leddy has made big strides in his first full season. He's been far from perfect, but he is becoming more confident with the puck and has seven points, which leads Chicago's defensemen. His two goals are the only ones the blue line have netted so far.

If Keith misses significant time, Leddy should see some additional time on the power play.

6. Split the Circus Trip

The 'Hawks depart on a six-game, two-week road trip out West following a November 13th date with Edmonton, whose early success makes the game a tough go for Chicago.

Opening the Circus Trip November 6th with a playoff rematch with the Canucks, the Blackhawks face Calgary and the Oilers on the 18th and 19th. The following week, Chicago gets San Jose, Anaheim, and Los Angeles in the space of four days.

Three wins against some of the tougher opponents in the conference would be a successful trip.

The 'Hawks are on the road for 10 of their 14 November contests. Matching October's point output, even with three extra games, sets Chicago up well for a more forgiving schedule next month.