Jinxed - Blackhawks Fall in Standings

CHICAGO, IL -- I spoke too soon, didn't I?

Dang it. Jinxed it.

But, you know what? As sloppy as the Stars game looked and as annoyed as I was that they lost to Colorado, I still don't think those two games were the end-all, be-all. Sure, the Hawks are sitting pretty far back in the standings, but who can really count them out at this point?

With Corey Crawford returning (!!!), the power play running hot, Patrick Kane still hot, and a team that's finally learning to fight back and believe in themselves? I think they might be onto something.

I know I'm preaching to the choir at this point, I really am. I've said all of this a gazillion times before on this blog, harping on all of the good things that have come out of the end of January and all of February. But, as we go into March, historically the worst month for the Hawks, it's hard not to suspect that this March won't be any different. But, I think they're in a good spot.

They're confident (despite some tough losses) and they've got a bit of fight back. It'll be tough, no doubt--they face some pretty tough customers here-on-out. But, I believe in them, and they're proving that they believe in themselves, too. You can see the confidence clear as day--it's the way they're taking the ice, winning face-offs, being bold on the power play, not being afraid to compliment themselves in post-game interviews.

The Hawks also have had more fight in the past month than I can really say they've had in the twelve months prior. Yes, it's frustrating to watch them go down early in a game, but now, at least there's some promise of a comeback. Take the Stars game on Saturday, for example--the Hawks were down 3-0 by the middle of the second period, and though they didn't win, they forced the game to a 4-3 finish. They're finding ways to finish games with a little more dignity than before, and hell, they're even coming back to win some of them, like the game in Anaheim on Wednesday.

That's just... not something I could have even really considered happening last season, or even earlier this season.

Though, the playoffs seem further away from reach, and like many people have noted, it may be too far for the Hawks to come back from. But, I think they've got a shot, and if they can keep playing with some purpose, confidence, and a little bit of luck, they do kind of still have time to pull this thing off.

I know I keep harping on it, but I'm going to stick with my gut and keep hoping they'll find a way to make the playoffs. They have six really big games coming up--two against Dallas, two against Colorado, and two against Arizona. All three of those teams are right in the wildcard race with them, and if the Hawks can win all six of those games.... they could very well be back in it.

That's not an easy feat, and it's still not a sure thing.

Unfortunately, we might just have to leave this one to fate. I'm not a patient person, and I'm definitely an anxious person, so waiting until the end of the season seems... awful. It seems painful, hopeless, and just anxiety-inducing.

But, there's still a glimmer of hope. There's still a chance. Mathematically, they are not eliminated yet.

And honestly, I think if they can string together a win streak again of maybe four or five games, and a couple other teams start to falter a little, they might be able to pull it off.

It's a lot of 'ifs,' and it's a lot of 'maybes.' It'd probably take a small miracle.

Hockey's full of those, though.

Are you in?