Let's pretend we're in Las Vegas, even though I've never been.
Here I am at a poker table with a Royal Flush. I know no one can beat me. I smile. I'm all in.
That's how I feel about the 2013 Chicago Blackhawks.
I'm all in.
And you should be too, if you're a Hawks fan.
Now I'm not saying the Hawks can't be beat. But I'm here to say not only do I think they will win their second Stanley Cup in a three-year span (since 2010), but I also think this is a club on the verge of a dynasty.
Whether or not that happens, well, that rests squarely on the shoulders of the boys who suit up in Indian Head gear each night. But really, what's not to like?
Captian Jonathan Toews, he of so many charitable causes by the way, is one of the top centers in the National Hockey League and an MVP candidate. Winger Patrick Kane, too, has matured and stayed out of the negative headlines on his way to what I feel is his best season so far in the NHL.
Marian Hossa is an all-world, point-a-game player who has erased his past "playoff jinx," after losing in two Stanley Cup Finals with two clubs before winning his first for Chicago. Winger Patrick Sharp is as dangerous a goal-scorer as there is.
Heck, even Viktor Stalberg looks like a second coming of former Hawk star Jeremy Roenick lately, showing flashes of speed we haven't seen here in quite some time.
Then there's youngsters Andrew Shaw, Rookie of the Year candidate Brandon Saad, Bryan Bickell ... the list goes on and on.
Defensively, Duncan Keith is as good of a defensman is exists in the league, period. The same can legitimitely be said for teammate Brent Seabrook, though he doesn't get the credit. Nick Leddy, Nicklaus Hjalmarsson ... defense is where the Hawks have shined this season, allowing the fewest goals out of any team in the league, just ahead of Ottawa.
That's thanks to the stellar play of both Corey Crawford and Ray Emery, who both had career-best type years. And that's what makes them as dangerous as the 2010 team that won the Cup. Their defense is better, and while they aren't as potent offensively, the Hawks still can score as frequently as anyone in the league.
What's remarkable about this group is that Hawks general manager Stan Bowman has locked up the core of this team long enough to keep it winning year after year. One look at the club's future contract situation and scenario, and it's clear this team won't just be winning now. They'll be Cup contenders next year, and years from now, too.
Mark my words, folks.
As much as I've bashed some of Bowman's lesser decisions, his foresight has guaranteed the Hawks will be the kind of franchise others aspire to become for years, if not decades. Stop and think about that.
When I caught up with Ottawa goalie Craig Anderson, who is having the best season of his NHL career -- and started his career with Chicago -- he told me he thought the Hawks were "something special."
"So from a fan's perspective, it's definitely a cool thing what they've (the Hawks) done this
year," Anderson told me. "From a professional side of things, you hope that you get the opportunity
to play them in the playoffs. You just never really know what's gonna happen."
The Hawks, of course, broke an NHL record by going the first 24 games of the season without a regulation loss.
"You wish your competitors the best. It (the streak) was cool to watch, that's
for sure," Anderson said. "It was kind of the talk of the league."
Know what else will be the talk of the league? If the Hawks have a parade in the city with the Stanley Cup again this summer. Because if that happens, then we start talking statues, how many remaining ring fingers we all have, and make comarisons between this and the Chicago Bulls dynasties that someone named "M.J." dropped in our laps.
How much fun would that be?
Make no mistake, slowly but surely, in the face of the Cubs, Bulls, Bears and White Sox, Chicago is becoming a hockey town again, much like it once was in the 1980s and 90s for a time. It's a day I never thought I'd see again, when just a decade ago, the United Center was so empty at times you'd be stunned if you saw photos.
That's what you've done, Mr. Kane, Mr. Toews, Mr. Keith and the rest of you. Win another Cup, and you get to punch your "1927 Yankees" card popularity-wise in Chicago.
Plus, we've got the coach with the coolest mustache in sports, hands-down, in Coach Q. A legendary leader in the NHL in his own right. And to think, some of you wanted to run both him and Kane out of town last year. Shame on you.
But there's room back on our bandwagon, starting tonight. If you've never been to a Blackhawks playoff game, find a way.
If you can't, sit back later, turn your speakers up, and watch the Hawks renew an old, old rivalry when the playoffs start at the Madhouse on Madison tonight against Minnesota.
So many intangibles in the Hawks' favor this time, too. Their experience, and even their youth, which may seem like a contradictory statement, but therein lies it's beauty. The Hawks are both young AND experienced. And given the fact this has been a shortened season with a hectic schedule...well, when other teams are dragging late in some of these postseason marathon games....look for the Hawks to be one of the few clubs with some spring left in their step in the final minutes, when it counts most.
Remember the start of my story?
Now I'm headed to the Blackhawks' blackjack table.
"20!" I hear the dealer shout as he throws me my second card.
"I'll stand," I reply. "Don't plan on busting, either. I'm confident about winning this."
So are the Blackhawks. I can see it in their eyes. In their game. In their heart and hustle every shift.
The House doesn't have 21 anyway, right?
Right???
Much like my metaphorical casino trip above, there's not much that can beat the Hawks. Key word being, not much.
"House busts!" I hear the dealer yell.
Yep, that's what I thought.
A winner, just like these Hawks.
You'll see.
