"As I See It": On Ice

  If there really is no gain with no pain, then the Blackhawks have absolutely nothing to worry about. But on the surface it appears that injuries ( C Dave Bolland, D Brian Campbell, LW Patrick Sharp ) are the Hawks' biggest obstacle in defending the 2010 Stanley Cup.

  With leading scorer Patrick Sharp ( X-Factor ), and C Dave Bolland out with injuries, the Blackhawks are missing a combined total of 49 goals on the season. Although it goes without saying what the Hawks miss without D Brian Campbell, but for merits sake I must state: 2nd in the NHL in plus/minus ( 28,) also the key defenseman in the Chicago Blackhawks 2010 Stanley Cup campaign. Since the last half of last season, into the playoffs, and this season, Campbell has been firing the puck more, something that will be missed in his absence.

  Wingman and X-Factor Patrick Sharp is playing at minimum Blackhawks MVP hockey, leading the team in goals and offensive point shares, he is in the top 3 in most scoring categories. Since losing both Sharp and Campbell, the Hawks have gone 1-1, tallying only two goals total. With Coach Quinneville still figuring out which goalie out of the combination of Crawford/Turco works heading into the final eighth of the season, giving up 6 goals and only scoring two isn't going to aid the injury woes the Blackhawks now face heading into playoff positioning.

Sharpie!      

  Other significant injuries that will have an effect on this season is:

• D Duncan Keith - hand/finger injury, hit with a shot during the 3rd period of the Hawks win against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Mar. 7 in Toronto. He missed the rest of the game and the next practice, but appeared to be fine the next game. It should also be noted that in the last 10 games, Duncan Keith has a plus/minus of -2, going -5 in the games since the injury. He also appeared to favor his shin/ankle a few games prior against the Phoenix Coyotes. 

Jordan Hendry

•  Blackhawk staple defenseman Jordan Hendry went down with a season ending knee surgery in February. Ultimately, leaving Stan Bowman and front office officials scrambling to seamlessly insert a compatible piece to the championship defense. Eventually acquiring D Chris Campoli from the Ottawa Senators. It should be noted that according to blackhawks.com, that Jordan Hendry successfully underwent surgery to repair his ACL tear. Grave thanks to Blackhawks Head Team Physician Dr. Michael Terry.

  "As I See It," the recent injuries to the Blackhawks aren't anything of immediate concern. I still believe that the goalie position is in need of some attention. Corey Crawford would be the best pick going into the playoffs. Giving the Blackhawks the youthfulness that helped propel them through the playoffs, Turco could always be available to stop bleeds.Bottom line, with Kaner and Toews on the ice, I'll put my money on the Hawks.....again!