Mr. Miller's BLOG

What's gone wrong?
Posted on March 29, 2010

There certainly isn't a shortage of opinions as to why the Blackhawks are 3-5-2 in their last 10 games and why they're barely a .500 team since losing to Minnesota on January 9 in a shootout (where they held a 5-1 lead going into the 3rd period).

The team has been plagued with a few injuries, spotty goaltending, some questionable coaching, numerous off-ice distractions and recently a story about Duncan Keith not being able to find a pair of comfortable skates.

Their passing has been poor, solid scoring chances are down, team toughness has been questioned and teams seemed to have figured out how to play the Blackhawks. Some will say that the Olympic break has had a negative effect.

Yet throughout the NHL season, teams go through slumps and the Blackhawks aren't any different. Last season they almost killed their playoff hopes in early March before winning nine of 12 to enter the post-season where they continued to dominate the rounds one and two.

So what are the real reasons? No doubt that it's a combination of all of the above. But at the state, it's better to ask : what's the solution?

Step 1.
Pick a goalie and ride him for at least six of the final eight games. It seems as if Coach Q has had it with club President John McEgo's questionable free agent Cristobol Huet. Fine. Make the announcement, end any speculation, create some certainty in the locker room and move on.

Step 2.
Pick a lineup and go with it. Altering matchups during the game is a given and figuring out matchups is what coaching is all about. Juggling line-ups for the sake of hoping they work out is another. In all fairness, a coach sometimes needs to try things to stop a slump and/or deal with injuries but there also needs to be some stability with the lines. This seems to be something that's followed Coach Q around throughout his career.

Step 3.
With a few so-called easier games coming up against St. Louis, Minnesota, and Dallas, rest Duncan Keith and a few others. This team is young, sure, but in the past five games Keith seems to be averaging about 28 minutes of ice time. Increasing the intensity and getting to playoff mode can happen against teams like Detroit (sucks), Calgary, Colorado and New Jersey.

Step 4.
Finally, stop acting like pussies. Though some will disagree, up and down the lineup, this is a relatively tough team. Not necessarily fighters, but there's no doubt they will sacrifice themselves and their bodies for each other... but not lately.

This team was put together to win this year. McEgo has almost bet his career on it. With the current salary cap, CBA restrictions, upcoming free agency and a hopeful revolt against continued and unjustifiable ticket price increases - the Blackhawks window of opportunity is now.

Should they win it all, none of this matters. If they don't, well, McEgo's history with the Cubs and the "lovable losers" label didn't have far to travel.

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