3 IN A ROW! ! !

It looks like the defending Champion Blackhawks have finally turned the corner. Tonight it looked like things have come together. After beating Detroit and Los Angeles over the weekend, the Blackhawks handled the Nashville Predators. The commitment to team defense and solid play from Corey Crawford has been the difference. Plus better play from the guys up front has really made this team look playoff worthy. Jonathan Toews and the rest of the core players who are healthy have stepped up and the “new guys” have started to pitch in. Fernando Pisani has become an extremely reliable player for Coach Q and Jack Skille game has improved with the opportunity to play with the top six.

Not only has the team looked improved but much of it has been done without Marian Hossa and Patrick Kane. As well as Victor Stalberg, who finally found his way prior to his injury. Hopefully after the holiday break all three make their return and provide a little more offensive punch to the lineup. Injuries are part of the game but the Hawks have been hit hard this season. The key is players have stepped up and the goaltending has been rock solid.

Marty Turco

With the play of Corey Crawford, Marty Turco has found his way to the bench. Marty may still be the man between the pipes come playoff time but if the season ended tonight Corey would get the nod. This may be a sign of things to come for Marty Turco. His time as a starting goaltender in the NHL may be over and that is a sad thing for one of the good guys in the league. The way he has handled it is a clear sign that he might be someone the Blackhawks should consider keeping in the fold long after his career comes to an end. Not only that, he’s from the same home town as Tony Esposito and anything in common with Tony-O has to be a good thing. Marty is a class act and I’m sure if the Blackhawks were to repeat this season he would be a big part of it whether it was from the bench or between the pipes.

World Junior’s

Jeremy Morin (pictured with his junior team the Kitchener Rangers) and Nick Leddy are representing the Blackhawks and the USA Hockey Program in this year’s World Junior Championships. Arguments could be made about Jeremy Morin not belonging there and belonging on the current Blackhawks roster but this is one of the great hockey tournaments of the hockey year. Both will play a huge role for Team USA. Morin is a returning player from last year’s Gold Medal winning USA squad. Hopefully both have a strong showing and the Americans will repeat. Maybe Jeremy Morin or Nick Leddy can do their best John Carlson impression and bring home another gold medal with an overtime goal.

Related posts:

1. Blackhawks’ 5-0 Win Over The Edmonton Oilers Is A Sign Of Things to Come
2. Chicago Blackhawks: Five Biggest Underachievers So Far
3. Chicago Blackhawks: 5 Players Who Have Surprised Us
4. Chicago Blackhawk Fans Need a Reality Check