I'm really excited about the Chicago Blackhawks.  I was only a few months old when they won their last Stanley Cup and had a few things going on that prevented me from enjoying it (like getting my diaper changed.)  In the early seventies, the Hawks had a couple of opportunities but came up short thanks to the Montreal Canadians.  And of course, there was 1992 and getting swept by Super Mario and the Penguins.

If it wasn't for the Cubs, the Hawks would have the longest championship drought of any major Chicago sports team. 

This edition of the Blackhawks, as Chris Berman is fond of saying, could go all the way.  They could, but they may not because for some reason, these guys can't hold a lead.  For example, the Hawks went up 3-0 in the first period over San Jose Thursday night, but eventually let the Sharks back into it.  Luckily, the Hawks won it in overtime, but one of the things that all great teams have is killer instinct.  Take advantage of the opportunities early and then slam the door.  Unfortunately, this team seems to leave the door cracked open enough to allow an opponent to kick it in late in a game.

There was a TV game with Detroit a couple of weeks ago where the Hawks went up 2-0 early only to have the Wings come right back.  The Hawks won in a shootout, but all of that would have been unnecessary if the Hawks could have just maintained their lead.

I'm not sure what the issue is with losing the leads.  Certainly, their goaltending is average at best, but it is supplemented by a solid defensive corps.  And that might be the issue.  Maybe the Hawks defensemen get so caught up jumping into the offensive zone they can't jump back fast enough to play defense. Maybe it's turnovers.

One other thing I've noticed (and I don't get to see many games and have to rely on highlights and an occasional game on Versus or NBC) is that the Hawks allow too many screeners in front of the net.  It's one thing to have a guy in the slot in front of the goalie for a second or two, but when you allow the guy to pitch a tent and camp out, you are going to have problems.  I wonder why the Hawks aren't more aggressive with screeners.   I don't know if that is a Qstache thing or just poor defense.

Still, the Hawks have one of the best records in hockey, so who am I to offer observations?  I just want to see a Stanley Cup winner sometime soon.