Before the NHL hiatus on March 12, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Blackhawks had nearly zero chance of making the playoffs.
They sat at n. 12th in the Western Conference, six points from a wild place with four teams to jump in the remaining 12 games of the regular season.
Now that they will face the Edmonton Oilers in just over two weeks for a chance to run again in the Stanley Cup, they will take the challenge.
“It will be a tough series against Edmonton,” Blackhawks defender Dunhaw Keith said after the Hawks’ first day of training before the postseason on Monday. “They have two of the best players in the world, if not THE two best for the players in the world at (Connor) McDavid and (Leon) Draisaitl. But it’s not just those two guys. There are (other) players on their team that’s dangerous They were ahead of us in qualifying, so we know we have our work done for us. But we are excited to have this opportunity and show that we belong and that we could make some noise as a loser. “
As a loser, most of the pressure is outside of Chicago and Edmonton. The West’s No. 5 team at the time of the break is not only the favorite to beat a team that normally wouldn’t have been in the postseason for the Blackhawks, but they have the additional expectation of winning as the local ice club with the series that is played in Edmonton.
In March, the Hawks may have been thinking about why they fell short again or what golf courses they should hit. Now, they are thinking about how they have nothing to lose in a postseason where they shouldn’t be, facing a team that shouldn’t win.
“I think we agreed pretty well,” Hawks forward Brandon Saad said after day 2 of camp Tuesday. “It’s something we haven’t touched on too much here at camp. It’s more about preparing and focusing on what we can bring to the table. But I think everyone has looked pretty good at camp for the most part to keep fit and trying to take advantage of the touches and reps. But they have a good team and I know it will be a challenge for us. But I think for us we have confidence as a group, regardless of who we are playing with. Just focus on what we can do to be successful ” .
After practice on Day 2, Blackhawks head coach Jeremy Colliton said the team will begin working out strategies for the matchup soon.
The Hawks finished their Phase 3 training camp on Sunday, July 26, before traveling to Edmonton to face the Oilers.
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