Last season, the Chicago Blackhawks learned what it took to lay claim to the Stanley Cup. This season, the Blackhawks are learning what it takes to defend one.
Based on the first half of the 2010-11 season, school is still in session.
The Blackhawks dug themselves a big hole with an uninspired start to the season, even as their newest championship banner watched down on the team in the United Center. A lot of slow starts paved the way for some embarrassing home losses to some of the NHL's weak sisters. The Hawks also dropped winnable games to division rivals.
Chicago has rarely been at full strength this season, with injuries to Brian Campbell, Marian Hossa, Dave Bolland, Fernando Pisani, Patrick Kane, and Jonathan Toews. It has seemed that just as someone is set to return, another player is out.
It's one thing to be the young team on the rise and quite another to go through the league with a bulls-eye on your back.
The Blackhawks are hitting the halfway mark of the 2010-11 campaign with a 21-17-3 record. The team currently sits in the ninth spot in the Western Confer ...
Read Full Article at Bleacher Report - NHL
Article written by Jon Fromi
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