
And sure, while the 'Hawks are sitting in second place in their division at the moment I type this (and have also won four in a row), it's that time of the year when the newspaper begins publishing the standings according to the conference rankings that would determine playoff seedings. And today, the Blackhawks would currently be in ninth—on spot short of qualifying.
Now admittedly, only five points separate the No. 4 Phoenix Coyotes from the No. 11 Anaheim Ducks, so there's certainly the possibility that a strong fourth quarter to the season could catapult the Blackhawks considerably higher in the playoffs.
But at the same time, it's also feasible that with three-quarters of the season having gone by with often mediocre hockey, the defending champions might be hanging up their skates after the 82nd game and not playing again until next year's campaign begins.