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Impressive streak ends after making national headlines
By Joseph Sarro
On March 13, 2013
The Chicago Blackhawks' stellar 24-game point streak to start the shortened NHL season came to an end
on Friday night with a 6-2 loss to the Colorado Avalanche.
Colorado dominated the second period, scoring four goals, leaving the Blackhawks with a huge workload
if they wished to extend their point streak. And as it turns out, they couldn't continue their magic.
The Avalanche were certainly not the favorites to be the first team to beat the Blackhawks in regulation
in 2013. Their victory broke a tie with the Columbus Blue Jackets for last place in the Western
Conference.
Still, the streak was unprecedented in the history of the game. Over a 48-day period, Chicago was able
to gain at least one point in each of its first 24 games, effectively making it the longest such streak in
NHL history. They began the season 21-0-3 before Colorado finally handed them what every NHL fan
was anticipating.
Although the lockout-shortened season comes with an intense and grueling inter-division schedule, it is
not surprising that the Blackhawks' hot start finally came to a close. Chicago was playing its third game
in four nights, but it is still truly remarkable how long its streak was.
It gave the NHL one of its most compelling regular season storylines ever. It provided both huge boosts
in television ratings and the league with a national story. That was important, as it certainly gained back
some of the trust lost among fans as a result of the lockout.
To recap the streak, 13 of the games were decided by one goal. Chicago outscored opponents 78-46
prior to Friday night's game. And despite also losing in regulation Sunday to Edmonton, the Blackhawks
still lead the league with 45 points.
They are likely to clinch a playoff spot sooner rather than later. Only Ottawa gives up fewer goals per
game than Chicago, and only four teams have scored more often.
A team's success in the modern NHL is based primarily on its toughness - players' willingness to block
shots and deliver bone-rattling body checks. For example, let's look at the Buffalo Sabres. They lack in
these characteristics, which deters them from becoming a great team.
Yes, they did acquire Steve Ott from Dallas, who is second in the league in hits. But one player isn't
enough to change a whole team around. Newly acquired John Scott is about as useful as a bag of bricks
on the ice, while the rest of the team lollygags in the defensive zone.
The impressiveness of the Blackhawks streak lies not merely in what they accomplished, but in how they
did it.
Their grit and toughness keeps other teams on their heels. Their collective speed and stick-handling
abilities allows them to gain and retain control of the puck effectively to make the entire game look like
a 60-minute round of keep away. All of that adds up to make them elite.
So what happens now after their pair of losses?
Well, two regulation losses are not going to ruin the season for a great team like this one. They'll
probably win more games than they lose the rest of the season. But Chicago is thinking of one thing and
one thing only, winning the Stanley Cup.
Joe Sarro can be reached by email at sarro.record@live.com
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