LAS VEGAS — Ten games into this season the Blackhawks aren't all that much different from season.
That's probably not a positive.
Let's examine.
2016-17 record: 6-3-1
2017-18 record: 5-3-2
The Blackhawks got off to solid starts both seasons record-wise. Wins and points are always important in the playoff picture, and the Blackhawks did enough early on from that perspective. Last season they felt fortunate to be where they were considering some special teams' issues and being outshot as they were. This season their dominance early on gave them a good feeling, but they've come down from that lately.