It's about time the Florida Panthers let the Chicago Blackhawks have their due.
The Blackhawks, winners of seven straight, are suddenly the hottest team in the NHL - at least in terms of consecutive wins - after Florida's 12-game tear was broken up Sunday night in Vancouver.
Win streaks, especially for a team of the Blackhawks' ilk, don't carry much weight in the grand scheme of things. But after another tenuous summer spent recycling contracts and talent, there's no denying the defending champs are not only equipped to once again contend, but they could be perhaps constructed better than they were last spring.
If not, they're fresher, at least.
"We have so many new faces, (guys) who have opportunities either from overseas or the minor leagues. Those guys have energy," said Marian Hossa, who broke out of a season-long slump over the weekend, according to Mark Lazerus of the Chicago Sun-Times.
"They probably didn’t play as much hockey as some core guys (have) played before, so that gives us so much more juice in our dressing room, and it's definitely helping."
Calder Trophy front-runner Artemi Panarin and stabilizing center Artem Anisimov are two of the two fresh faces Patrick Kane has helped elevate to household names, but there are new players up and down the roster providing important contributions for the dynastic Blackhawks.
"There are guys in here that are trying to prove themselves, and some of these young guys have been very, very effective," said Kane.
"Sometimes (when) you have younger guys around here, it brings up the energy of everyone. They've been great for us."
Chicago, which ranks sixth in per-game scoring after finishing in the bottom half of the league last season, is four points back of Dallas for the best record in the Western Conference.
