NHL: Ugly or Not, the Chicago Blackhawks Keep Piling Up Points

The Chicago Blackhawks can hardly be considered a dominant team in the NHL.

The defense has been subject to a lot of criticism in recent weeks. The 'Hawks aren't getting a lot of scoring from their bottom lines. Their starting goalie is slumping.

There are a lot of holes to fill, cry the Blackhawks faithful, yet GM Stan Bowman is failing to act. Reinforcements need to be brought in immediately before the season slips away.

By the way, the Blackhawks are currently on top of the Central Division and behind only Minnesota in the Western Conference standings.

Chicago is second in the NHL with 40 points. They're 6-1-1 in their last eight games. What's with all the angst?

A quick look at goal differential explains a bit of the concern of a lot of fans. Minnesota carries a 15 goal surplus. Detroit, who trail the 'Hawks by three points in the division, is plus-27.

Chicago has scored just seven more goals than they have given up this season. That fact, coupled with Corey Crawford's struggles and a lack of production from the lower reaches of the Blackhawks' roster, are causing panic in the streets.

So far in December, the 'Hawks have definitely done things the hard way in compiling a 4-0-1 mark. They have finished just one game in regulation so far this month, a 5-2 win in St. Louis on December 3rd.

Chicago has split shootouts with the Islanders and Coyotes. Their last two wins were of the overtime variety—Thursday's 3-2 victory in Long Island and Sunday's 3-2 rally in the United Center against San Jose.

Both wins came via Patrick Sharp goals, off of Marian Hossa-generated rebounds. Sunday's game saw the Blackhawks out-shot 33-13, before Chicago pushed back and scored late in regulation to set up Sharp's heroics.

Jonathan Toews played more minutes Sunday than he has in his career to date. Joel Quenneville shortened his bench drastically against the Islanders, with Daniel Carcillo, Michael Frolik, Sami Lepisto and Ben Smith all logging less than 10 minutes of ice time.

When all was said and done, however, the 'Hawks wound up with two more points.

Chicago has picked up at least a point in their last eight games, dating back to their November 25 comeback in Anaheim. It hasn't always been pretty, but the Blackhawks are finding ways to win.

Yes, there are just three points separating Chicago from Detroit and the Blues, who are tied for second in the division. Yes, the 'Hawks have played more games than several conference contenders. Crawford has to rebound and Bowman is looking to sure up the team in several places.

The Blackhawks may be an injury at the top away from a big slide down the standings. Many of these same issues were being cited a year ago, only the team was sitting at 34 points. With a goal differential of plus-8, no less.

The difference between last year's club and this year's is twofold. The current Blackhawks are tougher down the stretch and the big names in the lineup are leading the push.

Wednesday's showdown in Minnesota should be a measuring stick for where both the 'Hawks and Wild are at this stage of the season. Fans in Chicago would surely like to see the team skate out of the Xcel Energy Center with an impressive win.

Will an ugly win suffice? Hey, two points is two points.