The 2019-20 NHL season begins Wednesday, then the Blackhawks get things started Friday against the Flyers on Friday in Prague.
There are several teams that can be viewed as locks to return to the playoffs, and some that may sneak in after going home early a season ago. Where the Blackhawks fit in that discussion is dependent on the team’s overall defensive play, the health of Corey Crawford and whether Robin Lehner will be able to play at a top level in front of Chicago’s porous defense.
This is the first of three predictions posts with the NHL Awards and Blackhawks-focused picks to come.