Brian Campbell

The Panthers came in on a high, winning three of their first four games. Brian Campbell leads the NHL with seven assists, and he's a defenseman. They had just swept last seasons Eastern Conference finalist Tampa Bay in a home and home series. Things have not looked this promising in quite some time.

Niklas Hjalmarsson has been tossed around worse than a rag-doll all season long by Chicago Blackhawks fans. One day they love him, the next—he makes too much money and does not produce enough.

It appears the formula for the Chicago Blackhawks to win games is fairly simple.

Watch the plus-minus of Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook.

There has not been one disheartened face on the ice or the stands in the United Center as of late. The Chicago Blackhawks finally look like they have got their game and chemistry in sync.

After a shaky first twenty games, the Chicago Blackhawks appears to have started to find their groove.  Coming off a 4-2 swing out west, ESPN.com has them fourth in the league in their latest power rankings.

Now it's time to justify that ranking on the ice.

It is common knowledge that Chicago Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville has been shuffling his offensive lines in an attempt to change the club's recent struggles.

However, it's the changes on the defensive side that seem to be making a big difference.

Everyone wants to find a scapegoat to blame for the Chicago Blackhawks’ early season struggles this year. Whether it’s the fans who think Andrew Ladd or Dustin Byfuglien needed to come back, those that want to blame Marty Turco or the universal hatred for the salary cap, there is one simple truth this year that needs to be solved quickly on the West Side.

The Blackhawks need to finish a game.

The Chicago Blackhawks have two days to search for the motivation to rebound from a recent run of inconsistent and uninspired play.

This weekend might be a good place to start.

By locking up forwards Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, and Duncan Keith to long-term extensions last season, the Chicago Blackhawks provided an early Christmas present to their fan base and sent a message to the rest of the NHL that Chicago is serious about building a perennial title contender.

This year, it's time to finish the job.

It was a tough loss for the Chicago Blackhawks Monday night. The team was coming off a stellar win against Minnesota Saturday, and with Brian Campbell back in the lineup for the first time this season, the Blackhawks were amped for another win.

The New York Rangers had different plans.