10 reasons the Blackhawks will win the Stanley Cup

They’ve done it before, and they can definitely do it again. As playoffs approach, let’s take a look at why the Chicago Blackhawks will be such a dominating force.

Before we jump right into this, let’s take a look back, shall we? The Blackhawks have won two Stanley Cups in the last four years, and with the way they’re playing now it won’t come as a huge surprise if they were to win another.

I’m sure we could dig into the stats and put the ‘Hawks up for comparison against other teams. Instead, let’s look at why that doesn’t need to be done. Of course there are other teams in the league who have stacked rosters, experienced coaches, and have just as loyal fan bases… But that still wouldn’t rule out the Blackhawks.

The Chicago Blackhawks have just as good of a chance, if not better, than any other team in the league when it comes to who will hoist the cup in June. Although fans throughout the hockey community are more than likely still bringing up what happened last season, (yes, still bitter) the Blackhawks are proving this season why they could have (and should have) taken home the cup.

The ‘Hawks are ready for playoffs, and it’s guaranteed to be quite a show.

Here are the top ten reasons why the Chicago Blackhawks will win the 2015 Stanley Cup.

Their roster is stacked

Taking a look at the broader picture first, the Blackhawks roster is a sight for sore eyes. The majority of these guys already know what the playoffs, and even the finals, feel like. They know the amount of intensity that must be brought to the rink in order to come out victorious.

Offensively, they have players like Jonathan Toews, Marian Hossa, Patrick Kane, and Patrick Sharp scoring goals and winning games for them in even the tightest of situations. Not saying that these guys are the only ones putting up points during games, but they definitely are some of the best players in the league. The four players listed above have already scored double-digit goals, and there are still many opportunities to increase these numbers.

On the other end are players like Niklas Hjalmarsson, Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook, and Johnny Oduya who are without a doubt doing their job in the defensive zone. Even when they’re up against teams with insanely good defenses, these guys are on top of their game.

Having such a dynamic and well-rounded roster will definitely set the Blackhawks apart from, and ahead of, other teams in the playoffs. These guys are showing no signs of slowing down, making each game they play for the remainder of the regular season that much better.

Corey Crawford

Although there are some who beg to differ, Crawford is one hell of a goaltender. With 23 wins so far this season, and a saving percentage of .922, it’s going to be tough for any other offense to get a puck past this guy.

After Antti Niemi was drafted to the San Jose Sharks in August of 2010, Crawford was promoted to back-up goalie behind Marty Turco. This happened right after Niemi helped his team defeat the Philadelphia Flyers, and take home the Stanley Cup in 2010.

Turco left the Blackhawks in 2011, bumping Crawford up to starting goalie for the Blackhawks the following season. In 2013, Crawford finally felt what it was like to be the starting goalie for a Stanley Cup winning team, after the ‘Hawks defeated the Boston Bruins in the finals that season.

As of late, Crawford has been making saves that are almost impossible to believe. Even when he is completely surrounded by opposing offensive players, he is able to follow the puck and be in the right place at the right time.

With his level of talent as well as experience in the playoffs as well as the Stanley Cup finals, Crawford is sure to keep up, if not increase, the level he’s currently playing at.

Bryan Bickell

Bryan Bickell is easily one of the best offensive players in the league, and he’s definitely not afraid to get his hands dirty in the process. The way he plays during the regular season versus the playoffs shows just how dynamic of a player he really is.

For this reason, Bickell can be called a “bipolar” player. During the regular season, you see him wheeling the ice and giving his opponents a closer look at the glass in order to get the puck into the right position to make successful plays. However, when it comes playoff time Bickell is likely to start taking on more of an offensive approach, putting up more points during these games.

Like many of his fellow teammates, he too has been here before. Bickell has been with the ‘Hawks since 2004, meaning he has been there for both of their Stanley Cup victories in the last four years. Although he was present for the win in 2010, his name does not appear on the Stanley Cup for that year.

In the 2013 playoffs, Bickell put up 17 points for the ‘Hawks, scoring nine goals, including the game-tying goal in game six that year. He is credited as one of the major factors behind how and why the Blackhawks took home the cup that year.

Jonathan Toews

At only 26 years old, Toews has clearly demonstrated what it looks like to lead a team. Jonathan Toews can easily be regarded as one of the best captains in the league, and this leadership plays a major role in the playoffs

Not only is he the third youngest captain in NHL history, taking on the captain position for the ‘Hawks at age 20, he has also led his team to two Stanley Cup victories. In 2010, Toews also took home the Conn Smythe Trophy in 2010 for playoff MVP.

After the Blackhawks won the cup once again in 2013, Toews passed up Peter Forsberg as the youngest player to join the Triple Gold Club. This club is for NHL players who have won an Olympic gold medal, a World Championship gold medal, and the Stanley Cup, which are considered the three most important championships in the game of hockey.

This season, Toews is responsible for 47 points, 16 of them being goals. His ability to score points while simultaneously leading his team in all the right directions. He takes responsibility for their losses, and finds ways to make positive changes for upcoming games.

The Patricks

Patrick Kane and Patrick Sharp are one of the most dangerous offensive weapons in the league. Each of them have put up double-digit goals in the regular season so far, and they are both well experienced when it comes to times of increased pressure.

Patrick Kane is just 26 years old and has already paved the way to be regarded as an NHL legend. He has 63 points thus far, 27 of them being goals. Kane works well under pressure and shines during playoff games.

Kane scored the Stanley Cup winning goal for his team in 2010, ending a 49 year drought for Chicago, and also making him the youngest NHL player to score a championship winning goal. That year is what started Kane on his path to becoming one of the most dominant and well-recognized forces in the league.

Patrick Sharp joins Kaner on the list of Blackhawks players to have already put up double-digit goals this season. He currently has 31 points, 10 of them being goals. Sharp is one of the best offensive players in the league, and has shown time and time again why he deserves this title.

Sharp was traded by the Flyers to the ‘Hawks midway in the 2005-2006 season, finishing up that year with 31 points between the two teams. When Sharp emerged with the ‘Hawks in the 2007-2008 season he put up a 36 goal career high.

In 2010, Sharp won the Stanley Cup against his former team and contributed 11 goals throughout that playoff run. During the 2012-2013 NHL lockout, he remained in Chicago while many of his fellow teammates started playing in European leagues. This type of dedication to his team is one of the many reasons that Patrick Sharp is such a great player.

Defense

Like a broken record, you will hear people say that Chicago needs to step it up defensively. However, this isn’t the case at all. The ‘Hawks roster is stacked with some of the most impressive defensemen in the league.

To name a few: Niklas Hjalmarsson, Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook, and Johnny Oduya. Not failing to acknowledge the newer defensemen that have joined the ‘Hawks in more recent times. Each of these players posses  an insane amount of talent, and show their skills in the ‘Hawks defensive zone on every occasion.

Even when they lose, it cannot be blamed solely on a lack of defense. The sheer size and mobility of these players  show just how powerful of a force the ‘Hawks truly are. When they play teams who have what are regarded as some of the best offensive rosters in the league, the ‘Hawks are sure to put up a fight.

Although some of the speculation that Chicago needs to make some changes defensively may be true, all’s well that ends well. The Blackhawks have been moving their defensive lines around a lot in order to find the right combination to stop pucks from lingering in their offensive zone. While this area may not be perfected yet, come playoff time the ‘Hawks D is sure to be one of the more powerful forces.

The Madhouse on Madison

The Madhouse, commonly known as the United Center, is the home of the Chicago Blackhawks. Anyone that has been to a game under this roof can tell you that it definitely plays a major factor in the amount of home wins the ‘Hawks have under their belts.

The arena has definitely earned the right to be called a “madhouse” during Blackhawks games. With such an enormous fan base, this place comes to life on game night. The crowds that fill the United Center during Blackhawks games are like none other in the NHL.

This place gets insanely loud when over 17,000 fans fill its seats. The fans that have adopted the ‘Hawks as their team are some of the most dedicated and loyal fans, never ceasing to show their support in times of victory or loss.

Although every team has its own version of a “home ice advantage”, the Blackhawks advantage easily ranks above the rest. Every time “The Chelsea Dagger” plays after the ‘Hawks score a goal, the United Center erupts. It was also recently voted the “Best NHL goal song” by ESPN. It’s very likely you’ll hear Chicago residents humming the song, especially on game days.

Coach Q

Joel Quenneville has been the Blackhawks head coach since 2008, and has truly shown what he can do for the team. Since then, he has led the Blackhawks to two Stanley Cup victories, ending the 49 year drought for Chicago.

In the 2003-2004 season Coach Q received the Jack Adams trophy. This trophy is given to the NHL coach who has contributed most to the success of the team. Although Q wasn’t coaching the ‘Hawks at this time, his talent definitely followed him to Chicago.

From the very start, he has been regarded as one of the saving graces for the ‘Hawks amazing comebacks. Coach Q is now the only coach in franchise history to lead the team to two Stanley Cups. In the years the ‘Hawks didn’t take home the cup, they still made a major impact during the playoffs.

Entering the franchise, Quenneville knew what he was up against. He had a roster of expiring contracts, a lack of morale, and a severely dissembled fan base. Since then, Coach Q has acquired some of the best talent in the league and now has a roster stacked with 24 insanely talented players.

Not only is he an amazing coach, but the fans love him. It may be the famous mustache, or the fact that he brought the Blackhawks back from the dead. Regardless, he is just as important to the fans as he is to the team itself.

Dynamics

The Blackhawks are known for their mobility on the ice, as well as their skill when it comes to moving the puck around the ice. Both offensively and defensively, the ‘Hawks have shown what true dynamics should look like in the NHL.

While there are players on the Blackhawks roster who are well-known point scorers in the league, there is always the quiet guys in back who come out of nowhere and make plays that win the team games. Although these players may not put up as many points as leading scorers such as Kane and Toews, they are nonetheless important to the overall success of the team.

One of the major factors that plays into the success of the Blackhawks is their penalty killing ability. What used to be one of their weaknesses in previous seasons, their penalty killing ability is now one of their strengths

The number of two-way players Chicago has on their roster also plays a major role in the dynamics of the team. Jonathan Toews is noted as one of the best two-way players today, and Marian Hossa is known as one of the all-time best. With guys like Toews and Hossa on the ice, it’s difficult for opposing teams to even get opportunities to make breakaways in their defensive zones.

This attribute will definitely be a difference-maker during the playoffs. Competing against such a well-organized and talented team will pose a threat to any team they meet.

Experience

Experience is one of the most crucial things a team can have going into the playoffs. Like I said earlier, Chicago has plenty of it. The roster is stacked with guys who all know that playoffs bring a new type of intensity to the game.

The Blackhawks currently have 13 players on the roster who have won a Stanley Cup with them before. These guys know what it takes to win games and come out as the champions during this stretch of games.

From their youngest players to their vets, Chicago has really demonstrated that they have what it takes to win yet another championship. After what happened last year, you can bet that the ‘Hawks want to hoist the cup more than ever before.

The Blackhawks have won two Stanley Cups in the last four years, and this could definitely change it to a third cup in five years after this season.