Savard seeing red over Blues, but they don't know why

The bad blood between the Blackhawks and the St. Louis Blues continued to boil a day after the two teams met in a scrappy thriller Sunday at the United Center.

After the game, Hawks coach Denis Savard ripped the Blues -- particularly Barret Jackman and David Backes -- for playing rough with young Hawks stars Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews.

There still was some steam emanating from Savard's ears a day later.

"I know that being physical is part of the game; I understand that 100 percent," Savard said after a short, snappy practice Monday at the United Center.

"But it's after whistles -- our game doesn't need that. We've got some great athletes in this league and people come to watch those players and let's play whistle to whistle. That's the way it should be.

"It's playoff hockey right now. In the playoffs, you know how the game is played -- hard-nosed, but clean. That's what we should expect should be done to the end."

Jackman wasn't necessarily feeling Savard's pain.

"Kane had his stick on our goalie every whistle and Toews was standing in front of the net," Jackman told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. "It's a physical game. Sorry that we hurt their feelings.

"Why Denny Savard is trying to question our toughness or question our methods is beyond me. He played in a day and age where there was a fight at every whistle and gloves in faces."

While neither Savard nor general manager Dale Tallon were pleased with the Blues' antics, Hawks players were more laid-back about the whole affair.

"If you go ask Johnny or Kaner, they love to compete; they don't care," forward Adam Burish said. "They weren't once worried about it the whole game. On the bench they were saying, 'Hey don't worry about it guys. We're fine.'

"They're tough guys."

And they've become the focus of opponents more and more as the season has progressed.

"They're 19, 20 years old and they're top scorers, leaders on their team," Backes told the Post-Dispatch. "If I was them, I'd be honored that they're getting pushed around all the time because we're focusing on them."

The Hawks won't have to wait long if revenge is on their agenda: the two teams meet again Saturday night in St. Louis.

Might it be another knockdown, drag-out affair?

"I guess we can expect that," Toews said. "I don't think it's going to change any time soon. Guys just have to be ready for it and be smart about it … pick their spots."

Burish is ready for anything the Blues throw at them.

"It doesn't bother me; if they want to punch me in the face, fine, I'll punch them back in the face," he said.

"We're not going to back down," Savard said. "We've played those (types of) games a lot this year. Anaheim tried to do it against us and we took it right back at them.

"For us, we want to stay disciplined. We have a team that skates and makes plays. If they want to be in the (penalty) box all game, that's fine. We'll take care of business."