The biggest question on many hockey minds is who will end Chicago’s points streak, and when? It currently sits at 23 games since the start of the season and 29 games overall, dating back to last season, since they lost a regular season hockey game in regulation.
Its going to happen at some point, but who knows when. Will it be a top level team like the Ducks or the Canucks, or will it be a bottom-feeder that has no expectations to beating them that catches the Hawks on an off night and pulls the ultimate upset?
Mar 5, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; The Chicago Blackhawks celebrate a victory against the Minnesota Wild at the United Center. The Chicago Blackhawks beat the Minnesota Wild 5-3. The Blackhawks set an NHL record for scoring at least one point in 23 consecutive games to open a season. Mandatory Credit: Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports
Next up, and they will have 2 cracks at it, are the Colorado Avalanche. Not playing particularly well, the Avalanche could be the team playing without much pressure and could be the team to pull the upset. Of their next 6 games, only the Dallas Stars are currently in a playoff spot. The play the Avalanche 3 times, and also the Oilers and Blue Jackets.
The biggest test, if they make it that far, could be the Ducks in Anaheim on March 20th. The Ducks are currently sitting 2nd in the Conference behind the Hawks. That would also happen to be game 36 of the streak, which would be the game that would set the all-time record for consecutive game recording a point, passing the Philadelphia Flyers of 1979-80. If they make it past that, the Hawks have a tough test against the defending Champion Kings, followed by the Flames, the Ducks again and the Red Wings in a rematch of this past Sunday’s classic 2-1 shootout win for the Hawks.
I like seeing history made as much as the next guy (or gal), but sooner or later, the Hawks have to lose, don’t they? Most likely it will be someone unexpected, who might not know any better with a bunch of kids on the roster based in Alberta, perhaps, that catches them looking forward to another tough game and past the immediate opponent.
The Oilers are my pick, on this coming Sunday evening, to bring an end to a streak for a generation.