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Can Hawks keep up avalanche of victories?

This is crunch time for the Blackhawks.

Winning three of the last four on their seven-game road trip and accumulating 7 of a possible 8 points has put the Hawks back on the outskirts of the playoff race in the Western Conference.

Now they must keep the momentum going today against the Colorado Avalanche at a sold-out United Center in a game coach Denis Savard admitted Saturday is critical.

"For me, it's a huge game," Savard said. "I've put the standings up there -- they're eighth, we're 7 points back with a game in hand on them, full house. We can close it to 5 and still have a game in hand on them."

Savard planed to show his players a motivational video this morning to help get them ready for the rare noon start.

"I did it last year and I think it's time to bring it in again," Savard said. "You don't want to overuse it, but I think it should be able to kick in (today), to see them to see our crowds with lots of music behind it. Hopefully it will get them going."

The Hawks are coming off three of their best games of the season in victories at Calgary, Columbus and Nashville. And they weren't bad in last Sunday's 3-2 shootout loss at Vancouver.

"Our puck possession has been great," Savard said. "We've made good decisions without turning it over and our coverage in the defensive zone has been great. Everybody has improved their play and focused on team play."

Still Niked up: Goalie Nikolai Khabibulin still is bothered by a sore left knee and won't dress today against the Avalanche. Patrick Lalime starts his second game in a row, and Mike Brodeur was be recalled from Rockford to be the backup.

"He said he's feeling OK, but we don't want to take that chance," Denis Savard said of Khabibulin's health.

Khabibulin practiced Saturday but isn't ready to play.

"In practice he doesn't have to stretch his movements out," Savard said. "He's day to day now and we'll see how he is."

Brodeur was recalled from Pensacola of the ECHL. Rockford also plays today and the Hawks wanted Corey Crawford to play in that game.

Good news: Jason Williams practiced hard again Saturday and could be ready to play Tuesday at St. Louis if he's needed.

Williams has missed 37 of the last 38 games with a sports hernia that required surgery.

"Maybe Tuesday, but right now the team is playing pretty well and it would be tough to take anybody out," Denis Savard said.

Center Kevyn Adams, out since Nov. 7 with torn knee ligaments, has resumed skating and might return in three weeks. Adams would like to start practicing again in 7-10 days.

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