The Chicago Blackhawks won their sixth straight game on Sunday, overcoming an early lead by the Dallas Stars and ultimately triumphing in overtime. The victory pushed the team to 9-3-1 on the season, which is a good start for any club. It's a particularly strong beginning for a team with the salary cap issues the ‘Hawks have had over the last few years.
Yet, the ultimate test for general manager Stan Bowman’s roster isn’t to be found in October or November. He’s been forced to make sacrifices in assembling his team, and despite the impressive record, it isn’t hard to find the impact of those painful decisions.