Turning points of Blackhawks 2021-22 Season

It's been an up-and-down season for the Blackhawks in 2021-22, and a few key events have represented shifts in momentum for the team. After starting the season 1-9-2 under the supervision of Head Coach Jermey Colliton, a coaching change occurred with Derek King taking the reins in an interim capacity. With the management changes largely complete, the team that once had playoff aspirations began to take steps forward.

The coaching change also represents the first key momentum shift of the Blackhawks season, turning the page on the nightmarish start on Nov. 6, 2021.

With King at the helm, the team went a respectable 21-21-7 over the next stretch, but despite the drastic improvement, the playoffs still looked out of reach and attention turned to the NHL trade deadline.

Brandon Hagel was sent to the Tampa Bay Lightning on March 18, and with him (and Marc-Andre Fleury shortly after), seemingly all hope had gone. The trade represents the second turning point in Chicago's season. Since the Hagel trade, the Blackhawks have gone just 4-11-2.