The Chicago Blackhawks are tearing up the NHL.  They’ve improved statistically in each of the last four seasons, and 2009-10 looks to be no exception. At 16-5-2, they have 34 points, and are on pace for 121 by season’s end. The not-so-secret of Chicago’s play is defense. In 23 games, they’ve allowed just 51 goals, the lowest total in the NHL. Only Buffalo and Boston have allowed less than 60 goals. They’ve also scored 77 goals, which ties them for second in the West.

Going into Thursday night’s action, only the San Jose Sharks have more points than the Hawks. They’re up by two in the Western Conference, but have also played three more games than Chicago. With their current record, it’s not unreasonable to believe that the Blackhawks will not lose their next three games in regulation. Getting two points in three games is a rather easy task for teams in today’s NHL, especially when one of the teams they’ll be playing is Anaheim.

Part of the reason for Chicago’s success is due to good drafts and getting younger and more talented in recent years. Picking up Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane greatly boosted Chicago’s offense. At age 21, Kane leads the Hawks in scoring, and Toews isn’t far behind. Both competed for the 2008 Calder Memorial trophy, with Kane eventually winning. Since then, they’ve combined to tear up opponents as a one-two punch. If one isn’t performing one night, the other is almost certainly picking up the slack.

San Jose is notorious for being a hot starter and falling in the second half of the season and crashing at the most crucial moment – the playoffs. This season seems to be the same old song and dance so far, and the Hawks are poised to leapfrog the Sharks into first place, but there is still a lot of season to go. Chicago certainly seems capable of holding near the top of the Western Conference, but being as young a team they are, head coach Joel Quenneville certainly has his work cut out for him.