Are the Chicago Blackhawks finally on the upswing?

Coming off a four-game win streak, a loss Tuesday at home against Carolina brings the season back in focus. But are the Chicago Blackhawks looking like themselves again finally?

It was another near comeback for the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday night at the United Center, with a few opportunities late to even it up and force overtime. A late empty netter ended those hopes, but another impressive effort from Robin Lehner, the continued surprise of Kirby Dach to start his career and the less surprising dominance of Patrick Kane showed that the Blackhawks might be around for the haul this season. Maybe?

Goaltending has been one of the biggest questions for the Blackhawks over the past few years. The health of Corey Crawford, the play of a string of backups and overall shakiness in net have caused some issues and have definitely been one reason the Blackhawks haven’t kept stride.

The Lehner Effect

Robin Lehner was called one of the better offseason signings in the league, a steal if you will for Chicago. Thus far in 2019, Lehner has been a big hit for Blackhawks fans. Even in the loss on Tuesday, after the Blackhawks fell behind 3-0, Lehner stood on his head multiple times to keep them in it. Two quick goals in the third and it was all systems go for the potential comeback.

In 11 starts this season in goal, Lehner is 5-4-2 which doesn’t scream success but when you look a little deeper, he has been one of the better facets of the team.

Lehner sits fourth in save percentage in the NHL at .932 percent and is 12th among all goalies with a 2.51 goals against average.

One of the most interesting stats though is his GSAA or “Goals Saved Above Average” which can be compared to the likes of the wins above replacement statistic for baseball. The stat is calculated by the league’s average save percentage with the number of shots a goalie has had.

Lehner sits third in GSAA so far in 2019 with a smooth 11.02 only behind Connor Hellebuyck and Darcy Kuemper, two of the best goalies in the league to start the year.

Simply put, if Lehner can keep contributing in net the way he has, the Blackhawks have a better chance late in games, something that couldn’t have been said the past couple years.

What’s up Dach

Kirby Dach! I know. I was among the people who said the Blackhawks made a mistake taking Dach third overall. No way he’s ready for the big stage, no way he’s ready enough before the window (which might have already been closed) is closed for good.

But wow. Eat crow I shall. It’s been the young guys, Dach as well as Adam Boqvist who have made an impact in the current form of the Blackhawks. Dach, fun fact, is also living with Brent Seabrook while in Chicago, seemingly for the long haul.

Dach is on a heater, joining teammate Patrick Kane with a point streak of his own. Five games in a row for Dach with a point including four goals and three assists. He’s stepped up when it counts, which is something I don’t think anyone in the Windy City expected.

It was a slow start, three points in his first ten games, but has seven in his last five and looks like someone head coach Jeremy Colliton can count on. I like the space Dach has created, and can we just talk about how effortless his second goal against Buffalo was last week?

Kane, just Kane

It’s Patrick Kane. I don’t have to say much. He just does it better than most players. In 21 games this season, the American future HOFer has 11 goals and 17 assists, but on current form could surge past that, which wouldn’t be surprising.

There’s a two headed monster in Edmonton right now with Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid and another stellar pair in Boston in David Pastrnak and Brad Marchand, but Kane’s play is definitely the most important on the Blackhawks at the moment.

Kane is eighth in points with 28, tenth in assists with 17 and 13th in goals with 11, but his current point streak only suggests he’s just starting to heat up. No. 88 is on a nine-game point streak, including eight goals and nine assists. That’s a big chunk of his production this year. Kane is no stranger to an extended point streak.

For the Blackhawks to contend in an already tough Central division, they’ll need him to keep up form. Defensively, the Blackhawks have struggled in regards to consistency. If Lehner is good when in goal consistently, if young players like Dach are contributing and if Patrick Kane is being Patrick Kane again, there may be something good cooking for Chicago this year.

Do you think the Blackhawks can consistently find ways to win late? Will they contend for a potential playoff spot or are there still too many holes? Leave a comment below!