Blackhawks Season - Game by Game

Patrick Kane, Patrick Sharp, and the rest of the Blackhawks have only One Goal (image credit)

The Chicago Blackhawks had a very special, record-setting performance, in this lockout-shortened 2012-2013 season.  For the sake of posterity, I collated the ESPN stats overview and the NHL recaps, box scores and highlights for each of their 48 games. The game-by-game recap is hyperlinked to the subheadings.

Cold Steel on Ice, Hot Start

I was bemoaning the lockout, and based on behind-the-scenes reports, I was sure we were going to lose the NHL season. It was a pleasant surprise to hear otherwise, and just as surprising was the quick start after the announcement. It was a strenuous schedule, as expected, and the Blackhawks spent 5 of the first 7 games on the road and 4 out of 7 games in back-to-back sets.



Game 1


Game 2


Game 3


Game 4


Game 5


Game 6


Game 7

Jonathan Toews scored a goal in an opening-night win against the Stanley Cup Champion Kings (image credit)

Corey Crawford was radar on the puck in the long-waited Game 1 of the NHL season (image credit)

Heat Rises in the Winter

Something special was happening, but we hardly knew it. The Blackhawks rattled off a 6-game winning streak to start off the season, and had a perfect point streak going into February. But my family and I were taking care of an ailing mother, and watching hockey games wasn't a luxury we could enjoy. Still, it was palpably exciting.



Game 8


Game 9


Game 10

Game 11

Game 12


Game 13

Game 14

Game 15

Game 16

Game 17

Game 18

Game 19

Game 20

Marian Hossa scored two goals in a shootout victory against archrival Canucks in Game 16 (image credit)

Andrew Shaw battled for the puck, then scored the shootout game-winner on the Canucks (image credit)

The Talk of Sports

By now, the Blackhawks were the talk of the NHL, and as March progressed they were one of the lead stories on ESPN Sports Center. They set the record for the longest point streak to start the season, and they were being compared to the Flyers' longest-ever point streak at 35 games. The Blackhawks finished the 2011-2012 season on a 6-game point streak, so at the end of February they were at 26 games. It felt as if they could always find a way to win the game, no matter what. 

Game 21

Game 22

Game 23

Game 24

Game 25


Game 26


Game 27


Game 28


Game 29


Game 30


Game 31


Game 32


Game 33


Game 34

Daniel Carcillo celebrated his last-minute, game-winning goal against the Avalanche (image credit)

Joel Quenneville guided his team to a record 24-game point streak to start the season (image credit)

Cream Rises to the Top

The point streak ended with that mile-high shellacking by the Avalanche on March 8th.  The Blackhawks then entered a phase of mediocrity, as they found themselves prone to blowing leads with that dreaded 3rd period curse.  Coach Joel Quenneville didn't allow that to last too long, however, as the team righted the ship.  They finished the season on a strong stretch, and won the President's Trophy with the best record in the league.



Game 35


Game 36


Game 37


Game 38


Game 39


Game 40


Game 41


Game 42


Game 43


Game 44


Game 45


Game 46


Game 47

Game 48

Viktor Stalberg celebrated after scoring a nifty wraparound against the Red Wings in Game 40 (image credit)

Brandon Saad battled for positioning in a shootout victory against the Red Wings (image credit)

Enjoy reliving a season for the ages, Blackhawks fans!

Next up:  The Stanley Cup Playoffs!

Thank you for reading, and let me know what you think!

Ron Villejo, PhD