The Blackhawks are almost halfway through the 56-game season. Through 23 games, the Blackhawks are fourth in the Central by pure points. They are seven points clear of the Blue Jackets, also through 23 games, and 11 points clear of the Red Wings who played 24. The Stars are going nowhere, Columbus keeps losing, and the Blackhawks may always be stuck behind the Lightning, Panthers and Hurricanes, the three best teams in the division so far.
But in a bad division — likely the worst in hockey this season, which says something as the West also exists — the Blackhawks look like a playoff team(?