Chicago Blackhawks: 5 Thoughts in the Aftermath of Their Road Trip

The Chicago Blackhawks are jetting home following a six-game road trip that saw two widely different hockey clubs come out and play over the last two weeks.

Saturday brought to a close a very Jekyll and Hyde circus trip for the Blackhawks. Sandwiched between an impressive win over the Canucks and solid play in California were the back-to-back stinkers to Calgary and Edmonton.

I thought six points should be considered a successful trip before the ‘Hawks departed two weeks ago. We got six points, along with a lot to digest as the 'Hawks prepare to take on Phoenix on Tuesday.

As the 'Hawks enjoy the in-flight movie with visions of home, I'm offering some thoughts of the recently completed Circus Trip 2011. Let's get started...

Viktor Stalber and Bryan Bickell Are Passing Ships

The arrows of these two players are definitely pointed in different directions.

Youngblood is playing top-six minutes and contributing to the offense by getting to the net and using his speed on the forecheck. His deflection of Duncan Keith's shot Saturday night led to a friendly bounce that Jonathan Toews easily knocked in for the eventual game winner.

Stalberg has five goals and a dozen points in his last 15 games. Five of those points came on the road trip, including points in all three Chicago wins. He is also a plus-eight on the season.

Bickell's numbers over those last 15 games? One goal, one healthy scratch and a minus-six rating.

Last year's rookie surprise is the sophomore slumper of the team, having been demoted to the fourth line and seeing a big reduction in minutes. His scoreless steak has reached 12 games. Bickell's wrist shot hasn't been getting by goalies. The player that was so effective in the early going this season is now MIA.

One of these guys could score 50 points by the end of the season at this rate. The other could tally 30—in Rockford.

Defense Is Still an Issue

The Blackhawks have shown that while they're capable of shutting down opposing offenses, they are also prone to some spotty play that will hurt their chances of going deep into the playoffs.

The defense in Alberta was laughable, and despite pulling the game out against the Ducks Friday afternoon, they still gave up five goals to a team barely averaging two a game.

Duncan Keith's road trip went the way of the 'Hawks. When he was on, Chicago was formidable. When he wasn't, it wasn't pretty.

It is also becoming apparent that the Blackhawks are running five deep on the blue line. One of two things need to happen:

1. GM Stan Bowman needs to obtain a sixth defenseman who can solidify a third pairing with Steve Montador.

2. Either Sean O'Donnell, Sami Lepisto or John Scott is going to have to step up and claim that spot.

I'm guessing that Joel Quenneville is going to give one of the three the chance to win the full-time job on the third pairing before the 'Hawks pull the trigger on a trade.

This Team Has Stones It Lacked a Season Ago

It is more than fair to question Chicago's consistency at this point of the season. One thing you have to give this year's edition is that they seem to be better equipped to handle close games.

The three California games stand out in this regard.

The 'Hawks won two of three, losing only to one of the conference's hottest teams in their building. Despite losing 1-0 to the Sharks, they 'Hawks accounted well for themselves.

They had the fortitude to rally against the Ducks in a contest that probably gets away from Chicago last year. They came up big in the third period in Los Angeles, another area that dogged last year's club.

The 'Hawks haven't been perfect so far, but they've taken points they left on the table a season ago.

The Big Dogs Have Come to Play

Jonathan Toews and Patrick Sharp led the furious third-period charge that led to Chicago stealing two points in Anaheim. The big names have been there for most of this season.

The 'Hawks have four forwards playing at nearly a point-a-game pace or more this season:

- Toews: 24 games, 25 points

- Marian Hossa: 23 games, 23 points

- Patrick Kane: 24 games, 23 points

- Sharp: 24 games, 22 points

Kane could stand to look for his shot a bit more with Hossa on the first line with Toews, but scoring goals has not been a problem thus far.

Tazer leads the team with 13 goals and has led an attack that is second in the NHL in goals scored.

The 'Hawks Are Not a Finished Product, but There Are Lots of Games to Play

There are lots of other pluses and minuses to sift through. The development of Marcus Kruger, the rumors of Ray Emery's trade stock and the penalty kill from hell to name but a few.

Bottom line: Chicago left town on top of the Western Conference. They return on top of the Western Conference. This is a contender in the West, but not the clear-cut favorite. That depends on how management decides to address the needs that are becoming apparent.

This was the plan when Bowman left all that cap room unused, remember? He can let this squad develop into the new year and add the missing pieces in February.

Now comes a favorable stretch in which the Blackhawks must continue to rack up the points. It’s great to be on top, but there are still just five points separating the top 10 teams of the conference.

The 'Hawks went just 3-3 on the circus trip, but they ended on a high note, which will hopefully spur them on to continued success.