Even though the Blackhawks lost to the Flames 4-3, the game wasn’t a total loss. For one, Alex DeBrincat scored his 20th goal of the season and it was a beaut.
Patrick Kane ➡️ Erik Gustafsson ➡️ Patrick Kane ➡️ Alex DeBrincat 🏒🥅🚨
This is DeBrincat’s 20th goal of the season. Kane and DeBrincat have been RED HOT lately. Making it look easy out there. 🔥 #CHIvsCGY #HockeyTwitter #NHL pic.twitter.com/mU0fAXaIg0
— ✶ ✶Tony Gianares✶ ✶ (@Certified_TonyG) January 8, 2019
The Evolution of Alex DeBrincat
For the 2nd season in a row, Alex DeBrincat has reached the 20 goal benchmark. It has been a hell of a start to his NHL career. DeBrincat now stands side by side amongst an elite group of players.
Blackhawks with 20+ goals in first 2 seasons:
Pete Horeck
Darcy Rota
Ted Bulley
Denis Savard
Darryl Sutter
Steve Larmer
Eddie Olczyk
Jeremy Roenick
Eric Daze
Patrick Kane
Jonathan Toews
Kris Versteeg
Artemi Panarin
ALEX DEBRINCAT 😼 pic.twitter.com/yHMUXcDX6i— Blackhawks Talk (@NBCSBlackhawks) January 8, 2019
Alex DeBrincat isn’t just scoring during even strength this season. He is doing his part to put the SPECIAL back in Special Teams. DeBrincat is currently tied with Patrick Kane for the most Blackhawks’ power play goals this season with 5, which is also good enough to be tied for 38th in the league.
Plays like this one have the Blackhawks’ power play trending upwards.
Alternate angle of Alex Debrincat’s goal #Blackhawks #CHIvsPIT #HockeyTwitter pic.twitter.com/QPy7igvcE3
— ✶ ✶Tony Gianares✶ ✶ (@Certified_TonyG) January 7, 2019
The Blackhawks’ power play has recently turned things around in a big way. This is largely due to the play of Alex DeBrincat and Patrick Kane. Here is an eye-opening visual that was shared during tonight’s broadcast of the Blackhawks vs. Flames game.
Looks like the #Blackhawks are FINALLY buying into what Jeremy Colliton is selling 🤑#CHIvsCGY #HockeyTwitter #NHL pic.twitter.com/3Qgr5gK1NO
— ✶ ✶Tony Gianares✶ ✶ (@Certified_TonyG) January 8, 2019
What’s Next for Alex DeBrincat and the Blackhawks?
First and foremost, Jeremy Colliton needs to get Alex DeBrincat off of that 3rd line and swap him with Artem Anisimov. DeBrincat is way too good of a player to only be getting 3rd line minutes.
The Blackhawks have recently heated up over the past ten games. In the last ten, they have a 6-3-1 record in which they have defeated division rivals including the Avalanche (twice), Wild, Dallas, and Nashville. They were also able to defeat arguably, the hottest team in the NHL right now, the Penguins.
Although the Blackhawks are at the bottom of the division, the Wild Card is not out of the question — for now. The teams ahead of the Blackhawks in the Wild Card chase have not been performing well lately. Of the five teams ahead of them in the standings, the Stars are the only team with a record above .500 in the last ten games, which is keeping playoff hopes alive for the time being.
As long as the Blackhawks can keep their momentum going, there’s still enough time where anything can happen. I honestly wouldn’t doubt if more trades are in the works as we speak. The trade deadline is Monday, February 25th, so there is still plenty of time to decide whether this team is a pretender or a contender. Until then, let’s #ChelNChill and enjoy the ride.
For more Blackhawks news and updates, follow the author @Certified_TonyG on Twitter.
