I'd much rather take a W

Jonathan Toews netted his first NHL hat-trick last night, but the Hawks still fell to the Sid Crosby-less Penguins at the United Center.

Toews scored all three goals while the Hawks were on the powerplay.

Earlier in the game, with two goals already to his name, Toews deflected in a shot from the point that went into the goal, and hundreds of red hard-hats (it was Blackhawk hard-hat night) fell to the ice. But the goal was reveresed because apparently, his stick was too high when he touched the puck.

He tallied his actual third goal a few minutes later.

Despite the hat-trick by Toews, the comeback, the lead changes, and the exciting game that took place, there is a more pressing matter on my mind this morning.

This is the first time all season that the Hawks have lost three straight games. Granted, not all three were in regulation (last night's loss came in OT while shorthanded), but still. At this point in the season, this is not what I thought I'd be seeing.

Not only that, but the fashion in which they lost the last two games is alarming. Giving up a 3-1 lead and allowing four goals in the third period to a clearly inferior Nashville team should not happen. Yes, I know it was in the midst of 12 of 14 games on the road, but they were up 3-1.

And the Penguins; this is an Eastern Conference team on the playoff bubble (barely) and without their superstar, Sid Crosby. Especially at home, this should have been a win.

The Hawks have a decent chance to turn things around, with six of their next seven games at home (and only two playoff bound opponents in that stretch).

Youth vs. Experience come playoff time

As the Blackhawks strengthen their grip on the fourth seed in the Western Conference, it's becoming clear that for the first time since 2001-2002, Chicago will see post-season hockey.

At this moment, Chicago is the youngest team in the NHL. That could of course change as roster moves come and go with the March 4 trade deadline, but it won't be too drastic. The Blackhawks will still be a very young team in the playoffs.

How did the younger teams fare in the playoffs last season? And what about those composed of grizzled veterans? Lets take a look.

The Washington Capitals were the sixth youngest team (avg. age 26.98) in the NHL at the end of last season, and the youngest team in the playoffs. They rode 23-year old superstar (and 2007-08 NHL MVP) Alex Ovechkin into the playoffs after posting a 37-17-7 record from Nov. 4 onward. They were the first ever NHL team to make the postseason after being in last place at the halfway point of the season.

In a tough series with the Philadelphia Flyers, the Capitals fell just short. They lost the series 4-3, but won back-to-back elimination games. They lost game seven in double OT. A first round exit for the youngest team in the playoffs.

The next youngest team (avg. age 27.76) in the playoffs (seventh) were the San Jose Sharks. A highly touted second seed with one of the best goalies in the NHL in Evgeni Nabakov; they seemed primed to break their streak of playoff ineptitude and make a run for the Cup. Another surviving a first round scare against the Calgary Flames, the Sharks bowed out in the second.

The jist here, is that young teams do not fare so well in the playoffs. Pittsburgh was the ninth youngest team and made it to the finals, but were thoroughly manhandled by the oldest team in the NHL; the Detroit Red Wings.

In eight out of the 15 playoff matchups, the team with the older average age won.

But I feel the Blackhawks are better than the Sharks and the Caps of the 2008 playoffs. John Buccigross recently wrote, "The Hawks are having an unbelievable season and have a legitimate chance to reach the Stanley Cup finals. (They are that good.) They also could lose in the first round. (They are that young.)"

Personally, I see a second round exit for the Hawks in the playoffs. When it comes down it, especially in the Stanely Cup playoffs, expereince will take you farther than youth.

Hopefully they prove me wrong.