From December 27th, 2015 to January 21st 2016, the Blackhawks won 12 games straight, setting a franchise record for the Chicago team. Since the team’s creation in 1926, they had never won this many consecutive games.

While the team lost on January 21st, they are still currently the 2nd best team in the National Hockey League with a record of 32-14-4. With 68 points, the Blackhawks are just 5 points away from the NHL leading team, the Washington Capitals.

After a shaky start, the Blackhawks, guided by the NHL’s leading goal scorer Patrick Kane, powered through the tough Western Conference and are sitting comfortably in first.

Blackhawks fan and Normal West senior Sam Fisher said, “At the beginning of the season I wasn’t sure how the Hawks would do because of their slow start and because of the people they lost this offseason.”

During this offseason, the Blackhawks lost left wing, Patrick Sharp, after a trade sent him to the Dallas Stars. The team also lost the young, Brandon Saad, who is now a member of the Columbus Blue Jackets.

The 2015-2016 Chicago Blackhawks are fortunate enough to have the NHL leader in goals and assists, Patrick Kane. With 30 goals and 42 assists, the 27 year-old is having a career year. Kane’s linemate, rookie Artemi Panarin has also been impressive this season tallying 45 points throughout his first 50 games in the NHL.

Additionally, the 12 game winning streak was able to happen partly due to the superb performance by goaltender Corey Crawford. The veteran has won 27 games this season in between the pipes and has been one of the key pieces of this Chicago team.

When discussing the potential playoff run, senior Owen Ericson said, “I’m excited to see if the Blackhawks can repeat and win the Stanley Cup for the second year in a row.”

If the Blackhawks keep up their current performance, they will soon be playing in their 8th straight NHL postseason.