The Chicago Blackhawks played 82 games each season, well normally. The 2019-20 season might be one of the few exceptions to the rule, ever since the NHL switched the season to 82 games.
On March 29th, 2018, the Blackhawks were out of the playoffs and were limping to the finish line. Star goalie Corey Crawford was injured, which turned Chicago from a contender to the last-place team in their division. The grizzled veterans were starting to show their age, and it seemed like the team just didn’t have the will to win. Their speed was gone and the team was demoralized.