Obviously, after the Hawks’ 4-0 win at the UC over the Lightning, questions about the offense are momentarily mitigated.

It’s my view that the real reasons why we are seeing less offense from the Blackhawks are due to (a) teams realizing they must play better defensively or risk getting blown out; (b) Chicago is a more defensively responsible team and they now play less ‘high risk’ hockey.

I compare them to the New Jersey Devils in the latter respect. The Devils play a patient game and they wear down opponents. Scoring will generally come from stars like Parise, Zajac or Langenbrunner–but it can come at any time from virtually anyone on that roster.

The Hawks are becoming very much like that.

A 2.06 GAA is absolutely stunning…as is an average of just 23.4 shots allowed per game–both league leading numbers.

If Bolland and Burish were not injured, I expect the Hawks would be a thoroughly dominant team, night in, night out. The team’s puck control and goal prevention are that good.

Bolland and Burish not only contributed to those aspects, they could generate offense through forcing turnovers.

If Tomas Kopecky is finding it difficult to integrate his game with the team’s, it may be simply because the Hawks’ precision game IS difficult to learn. Marian Hossa and John Madden, being the veterans they are–and more talented than Kopecky–have fit right in.

The challenges and inevitable hiccups being what they are, the Blackhawks are managing very well to this point.

The second half of December is another major test.

As Bowman and Quenneville have committed to getting the maximum out of the current roster, I believe they will assess the team’s performance accordingly. I also think that Bowman already has some scenarios in place if and when moves need to be made.

But no reason to fix what ain’t broke, as the saying goes.

Cheers.