Nov. 16--The Blackhawks certainly know how to win on the road.
They have clinched two Stanley Cups away from home in the last six seasons and the last two times they won the Cup, they won just as many games on the road during the regular season as they did at the United Center.
Which is why the Hawks' performance on the road this season has been more than a little baffling, especially to the Hawks.
As they prepare for their six-game circus trip, the Hawks have an 8-2-1 record at home but are just 2-5-0 on the road. Only the Ducks at 1-5-1 have won fewer games on the road.
"It's probably a bunch of different things," defenseman Duncan Keith said of the record disparity. "First of all, teams are excited to play the defending Cup champs, and when they get them in their own building, they're going to come out playing hard. ... Teams are always ready for us. It's that much more amplified when they're at home against us and they want to make a statement."
The good news for the Hawks is they played one of their best games of the season on the road Saturday in a 4-2 victory over the Blues, Keith's first game back after surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee. It also marked the return of defenseman Michal Rozsival from a fractured left ankle.
"Every season is different, but obviously when you're at home you feel better and everything is the same," Rozsival said. "The routine is the same every time you play at home, the environment is the same, but it's maybe just a little bit of (improving) mental preparation. Just to make sure you are preparing no matter where you're playing."
Including Sunday's 4-1 win against the Flames, the Hawks enter the circus trip having played two of their best games of the season. It's likely no coincidence a healthy Keith was on the ice after playing through his injury at the start of the season.
The Hawks have a lot of new players and a lot of young players they are trying to incorporate into their lineup. But it might be oversimplifying the issue for the Hawks to ascribe all of their road problems to youth.
"They're really good hockey players, the young guys," Rozsival said. "But sometimes it takes a little time to just jell and get on the same page and get in the same rhythm."
Last season, the Hawks gained a good deal of confidence from their circus trip. They won five of the six games, contributing to their best stretch of the regular season, when they won 11 of 12.
"This trip has been good to us the last couple of years," winger Patrick Kane said. "It's kind of where we come together as a team and seems like we take off on trips like this. Hopefully it's the same this year, put together a few wins -- more than a few wins -- and put together a good road trip and start trending in the right direction."
chine@tribpub.com
