No NHL team has one back-to-back Stanley Cups since the 1997 and 1998 Detroit Red Wings. Those teams from the Motor City had the upmost ability to play nothing short of a complete brand of hockey that allowed them to dominate when they were playing at the top of their game. After winning their second Stanley Cup in the last four years, the Chicago Blackhawks have started to resemble those stellar Red Wings hockey clubs of the late 90’s. If any team is going to have a shot at successfully defending their championship, it’s this year’s edition of the Blackhawks.

Here are five reasons why the Blackhawks can keep the Stanley Cup in the Windy City.

5. They Defend Home-Ice

After Sunday night’s game-five victory over the Minnesota Wild at home, the Blackhawks are now 6-0 at the United Center during these playoffs. If you are going to play deep into the postseason and defend what you have earned before, you have to play well at home. The Blackhawks are second to none when playing inside the United Center and will continue to be tough to beat when on the road.

4. Their Roster Is Chock-Full Of Players With A Very High Hockey IQ

The Blackhawks don’t just outplay their opponents, they outthink them as well. From Jonathan Toews to Patrick Sharp up front, and Duncan Keith holding it down on defense, the Blackhawks are students of the game and have learned to play a style of hockey that wears a team down as their weaknesses are exposed. Individual efforts are overshadowed by the quality of hockey that is played when the whole team is on the same page. Those are the types of teams that defend championships.

3. Their Ability To Control And Cycle The Puck

Very rarely do you see the Blackhawks struggle to gain control of the play. Instead, they have the ability to hang onto the puck in the offensive zone and the skill to cause turnovers up the middle of the ice. With Patrick Kane’s speed and Marian Hossa’s strength on the puck, the Blackhawks have possession of the puck more often than not, which ultimately results into them putting the puck into the back of the net.

2. 'Captain Serious' Knows How To Win

Jonathan Toews is arguably the most complete player in the NHL. He excels in the offensive zone, he is quick to get on the puck at either end of the ice and his leadership has proved to be contagious. The two-time Olympic gold medalist is very much prepared to become a three-time Stanley Cup champion, as he showed that in game-five after scoring the winning goal for his club in the third period and proceeded to dictate the play for the remainder of the game. ‘Captain Serious’ means nothing but business.

1. They Have Arguably The Best Defenseman In The NHL In Duncan Keith

Duncan Keith possesses a unique skill set that allows him to play a shut down style of defense on every opponent he seems to face. The steady d-man is an impressive +4 in these playoffs and continues to gain control of the puck and help propel the Blackhawks up-ice in nothing flat. Defense can win championships. Keith and the rest of the Chicago defense is a stingy yet crafty bunch that gets increasingly harder to play against.