3 takeaways from the Chicago Blackhawks’ wins over the Detroit Red Wings, including a ‘big test’ looming and a non-update on Jonathan Toews

After collecting only one of a possible eight points in the standings in their first four games — all on the road — the Chicago Blackhawks regrouped with two wins over the Detroit Red Wings at the United Center.

The Hawks, of course, are not apologizing for beating a team that finished with the fewest points in the NHL last season. But how can they sustain momentum?

Here are three takeaways from the Blackhawks’ weekend as they head to Nashville, Tenn., for a pair of games against the Predators.

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1. Any win is a good win.

1. Any win is a good win.

The Nashville Predators have gone out of their way over the years to deny Hawks fans the ability to buy tickets to games at Bridgestone Arena, hoping to keep home-ice advantage.

“Keep the Red Out” was the oft-heard mantra from the Predators, knowing Hawks fans travel well and enjoy the atmosphere in the unique party town.

But the Predators marketing department won’t have to worry about it this week when the Hawks visit for back-to-back games Tuesday and Wednesday.

The Predators will welcome a limited number of fans back Tuesday for the first time since the NHL shut down in March. The team held a lottery for season ticket holders, but the tickets are not transferable, so unless the season ticket holder is a Hawks fan, the red definitely will be kept out.

The Hawks enter the series with a two-game winning streak but are winless in their four road games against the Tampa Bay Lightning and Florida Panthers.

“We’ve got to build on it,” coach Jeremy Colliton said of the wins against the Red Wings. “We’ve got to continue with the mindset we’ve got to get better every day. That’s how we’re going to build a team that can get consistent results. We’re happy with a lot of things that happened over the weekend, but we’ve got to sustain it. We’ve got to do it on the road.”

Beating the Red Wings in two straight games is nice, but they also are in a rebuilding mode and showed it in Sunday’s 6-2 loss to the Hawks.

So was it a case of the Hawks making progress or just the Wings being the Wings?

“Obviously it’s a small sample size tonight,” defenseman Connor Murphy said after Sunday’s win. “We have a big test coming up against better teams on paper, for sure, that will really show. Those are the games that kind of seem to show what you have to get and what you don’t. So it’ll be fun to get back on the road and see what we have.”

2. How is Jonathan Toews doing? Don’t ask.

One of the biggest early surprises has been the Hawks power play, which ranked second to the Dallas Stars entering Monday with a 42.9 % conversion rate (8 of 19), even with Jonathan Toews and Kirby Dach on injured reserve. The Hawks have had a power-play goal in all six games.

Toews did not report to training camp with an unexplained illness, saying in a statement he was “experiencing symptoms that have left me feeling drained and lethargic.” He was placed on long-term injured reserve on Jan. 14, which means he’ll be out for at least 10 games and 24 days.

Whether Toews will return this season remains a mystery, and the Hawks are not interested in providing regular medical updates to the media.

“No update, no change,” Colliton said Sunday. “I know the medical team, they’re obviously in touch with him. Of course we’re offering our support and hoping things improve, but the coaching staff is focused on the team that we have right now.”

3. Scott Darling gets another shot in Rockford.

Former Hawks goalie Scott Darling will get a tryout with the Rockford Ice Hogs, who open the AHL season Feb. 5.

“We’ve got a couple guys out down there. Obviously the organization is familiar with him and comfortable with him and vice versa,” Colliton said Monday. “So the opportunity was there and it made sense to get him in there.”

Darling, 32, became a fan favorite in Chicago during his three seasons with the Hawks, going 39-17 with a 2.37 goals-against average. He went 3-1 in the 2015 playoffs, stoning the Predators in the first-round series and helping the Hawks win their most recent Stanley Cup.

Darling didn’t fare as well after being traded to the Carolina Hurricanes in spring 2017 and signing a four-year, $16.6 million deal with the Hurricanes. He lasted only two seasons before his contract was bought out.

With three goaltenders already vying for playing time with the Hawks, it’s hard to imagine seeing Darling back on the ice at the United Center. But it’s hard to root against Darling, and it would make for a great comeback story if he does return.