The Chicago Blackhawks are in a very good spot right now. Going into the season it looked like doom and gloom after they announced that Kirby Dach would be out for a long time. He sustained a wrist injury during the World Junior Classic and that has put his season on hold. Some people wondered if the Hawks were going to be one of the worst teams in the league as a result. These expectations on them made it seem bleak that Dach would return at all because what would be the point?
Well, this team has been awesome. They are firmly in the playoff mix with a record of 13-8-5. They are firmly above the payoff line in the Central Division with six points on the fifth-place Columbus Blue Jackets. Their practice on Monday came after a somewhat successful three-game set with the Tampa Bay Lightning. They collected three out of a possible six points (1-1-1) in that little series which is good for facing the defending Stanley Cup Champions.