Quite a start for Wisniewski

CALGARY, Alberta - James Wisniewski couldn't have had a better comeback game Tuesday night.

Wisniewski notched 3 assists in the Blackhawks' 9-2 drilling of the Edmonton Oilers and blocked 2 shots in almost 18 minutes of ice time.

"He was making plays and defensively is what I was watching, he was fine," coach Joel Quenneville said. "Right now you've got to say he's pretty hot for just starting, counting his last game."

In his last minor-league game at Rockford on Saturday to end a conditioning stint, Wisniewski had a hat trick.

Wisniewski might have been the most satisfied player in the dressing room following the rout of the Oilers.

"It's great to be able to come in with the team we have because they're always backing you up and helping you out," Wisniewski said. "I felt great out there. I was just trying to move the puck quickly and not take too long, just trying to keep everything simple.

"I'm sure as the games go on here I'm going to be able to hold the puck and make some better plays, but right now I want to make sure I keep things simple and ... (make sure) I'm not costing the team."

Upon further review: Overshadowed by the 9-goal offensive explosion at Edmonton was goalie Nikolai Khabibulin's strong play in the first period.

Khabibulin made 14 of his 31 saves in the first period, turning away Andrew Cogliano and Sam Gagner in tight the first seven minutes.

The win moved Khabibulin's record to 9-1-4 for the season.

"Habby was great in the first period," Joel Quenneville said. "They got two semi-breakaways and he stoned them and stood his ground and got better as the game went on."

Tip-ins: As of Wednesday morning, Patrick Kane had overtaken Detroit's Marian Hossa as the leading vote-getter in all-star fan voting among Western Conference forwards. Voting ends Jan. 2. ... The The Hawks spent their day off Wednesday going curling as a team at a Calgary club. ... With 2 more assists Tuesday, Cam Barker now has 15 points in 21 games since being recalled from Rockford.