Blackhawks Need Stars To Step Up To End Losing Streak

Published: 14^th Feb 12 12:13 am

Randy Holt
NHL Network Manager

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Tommy Giglio-US PRESSWIRE

The Blackhawks are stuck in an absolutely miserable losing streak that most teams not named the Columbus Blue Jackets don’t understand.

They’ve lost eight games in a row, and the first six of their nine-game road trip. Things don’t get any easier with their visit to Nashville on Tuesday, where this skid started.

A losing streak like this has done more than just caused the Blackhawks to plummet in the Western Conference standings. It’s called the job security of both the coach and the general manager into question, while leaving local news outlets to suggest irresponsible trade scenarios.

In a streak like this, positives are extremely hard to find. They’re even harder when the defense, goaltending, and special teams have all performed on a level that even the Blue Jackets could likely…nevermind.

Nonetheless, there is one issue that could be fixed rather quickly with this team, and you need look no further than the “core” to find it.

Since this losing streak started, we have heard very little from the Blackhawks’ stars. Even if they’ve performed well in a game, there’s little to show for it in the box score.

In their most recent loss, against the Phoenix Coyotes on Saturday, both Jonathan Toews and Patrick Sharp looked like guys desperate for a win. Both let their frustrations boil over towards the end of the game, and you could see their effort for the full 60 minutes, though they were unable to make it count on the stat sheet.

But regardless of the effort, these are guys that need to be putting up points. Toews has just two points during the road trip and has seen his name almost fall out of the Hart Trophy race completely. Sharp has performed well, but there is still something of a concern about his health, as he might have returned from that wrist injury too soon.

Having played like a man possessed for most of the season, Marian Hossa has gone ghost on the road trip, failing to notch a single point. Patrick Kane does have four points on the trip, but he’s much less noticeable on the ice than the other three, even without Toews and Hossa scoring.

While it’s unreasonable to rely on only four players for your offensive output, the Blackhawks’ stars set the tone for the rest of the team. They need to start showing up, and soon, or this skid could very well continue on.

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