The Blackhawks have kept their forward lines more consistent. They have tightened up on defense, allowing two or fewer goals in five of their past six games. Goalie Collin Delia, recalled from Rockford when Corey Crawford sustained a concussion against the San Jose Sharks on Dec. 16, is 3-0-0 with a 1.67 GAA and .957 save percentage (Cam Ward will start against Boston).
Forward Patrick Kane is on a seven-game point streak (13 points; seven goals, six assists and has 50 points (22 goals, 28 assists) in 40 games this season. And forward Alex DeBrincat is on a five-game point streak (seven points; four goals, three assists), giving him 33 points (18 goals, 15 assists) in 41 games.
Chicago also has been much better at the start of games; during the eight-game losing streak from Nov. 27-Dec. 11, it allowed the first goal each time. In some games, the Blackhawks trailed by two, three, even four goals before scoring. But general manager Stan Bowman said that, even during those struggles, he felt they could turn things around.
"It was tough," Bowman said. "But I think one thing is, we really did stick with it. Guys competed hard and the frustration was from the lack of results. It wasn't from the effort. We would play 55 minutes of a game and then we'd find a way to lose it. Once we come out the other side and we win some games, I think you start to get some confidence. The biggest thing now is just we look more like a composed team."
And as a result, the Blackhawks are believing they can be in the thick of the playoff race.