Hawks hang tough for 4-2 win over Wild

The overriding theme for the Blackhawks heading into Thursday's game in Minnesota was a simple one: Get off to a good start for crying out loud.

“Our starts in our last 10 games haven't been what we've been looking for,” Hawks coach Joel Quenneville said before the game. “Playing from behind usually doesn't lead to productive hockey.

“Let's get out to a strong start on the road.”

And that's just what the Hawks did, jumping out to an early lead for the first time since around Christmas and holding on for a hard-fought 4-2 victory over the Wild.

Patrick Sharp opened the scoring five minutes into the game with his fourth goal in his last six games, and Patrick Kane finished the first period with a power-play goal, his 20th of the season. He also added a pair of assists for his sixth 3-point game of the season.

“You don't mind playing with a lead,” Quenneville said. “We got a 2-0 lead and maybe it came a little easier than we thought and we probably got a little comfortable.”

It sure showed in a second period simply dominated by the Wild, who outshot the Hawks 19-5 in the frame, but thanks to the play of Corey Crawford, the Hawks were able to hold on to a 2-1 lead heading into the final 20 minutes.

A slapshot by Bryan Bickell from the top of the circle at 6:19 of the third proved crucial because the Wild rallied late to cut the lead to 3-2 on Jason Pominville's power-play goal with five minutes remaining.

“That was a really big goal,” Crawford said of Bickell's tally. “They were pressing and then we score there on the rush — kind of changes the game.”

But Bickell wasn't finished. He came through again, this time with an empty-netter in the final minute to seal the deal. The big guy now has 4 goals in his last five games.

“It's nice to get some confidence and for (Quenneville) to believe and know I can be on the ice at crucial times,” Bickell said. “Goals come in bunches so I'm just going to keep my head down and keep grinding.”

Crawford, who allowed 2 goals in the opening 1:17 in a loss to Colorado on Tuesday, rallied with a strong game Thursday, stopping 42 of the 44 shots he faced and was appropriately named the game's No. 1 star.

“He was great. It was a goalie win,” Quenneville said. “They were the better team tonight, for sure. We dodged a bullet.”

The Hawks wrapped up the first half of the season with a 27-12-2 mark.

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