Blackhawks enjoying their Western status

First things first for the Blackhawks.

That means there's a game to play tonight in Minnesota against the Wild before they can turn their attention to their back-to-back set with the Detroit Red Wings, including Thursday's Winter Classic at Wrigley Field.

"It's almost perfect timing," Patrick Kane said Saturday. "We got Minnesota, and they're a good team, then we go to Detroit and play them, and then the Winter Classic.

"The game actually is going to mean something, maybe where we can pass them or tie them or gain some ground on them."

The Hawks' goal is to catch Detroit and win the Central Division, and who's to doubt that they can't the way they are playing.

"We're aware of our situation, where we are in the standings," Brian Campbell said. "It's exciting times here now.

"But it's a long season, and Detroit's going to stay strong all season. We've just got to stay consistent. Our goal is to finish first in the division."

The streaking Hawks can set a franchise record with a ninth straight win tonight at the Xcel Energy Center against a struggling Wild team that is just 2-6-1 in the last nine games.

"Only two other teams have won eight straight, so if we win we're pretty much alone in history for the Blackhawks," Kane said. "That's pretty special for an Original Six team."

The Hawks are 18-4-6 since Joel Quenneville replaced Denis Savard as coach after the first four games of the season.

Campbell remembers general manager Dale Tallon coming into the dressing room and addressing the team the next day.

"Dale came in and talked to us after they let Savvy go. He really laid down the law there and said there's expectations and goals within this team and we're not going to settle for mediocrity," Campbell said.

"Right there it was a wake-up call for the boys. We knew we had work to do and there are expectations or else people aren't going to be around."

Quenneville has the Hawks playing at a higher tempo in all three zones. He has changed habits and tweaked defensive zone coverages to where the Hawks are the fourth-best defensive team in the NHL as well as one of the most dangerous offensively.

"I think a lot of it relates to our practices, how everything is fast and hard and it rolls over," Campbell said. "Everything is quick-paced and to the point. Even in our pregame meetings everything is bang-bang-bang. Each coach has five minutes and you've got to be done with it in five minutes because we've got a game to play.

"He's done really well with a young team, giving us time off, and it really shows in some of our games. Our legs are really fresh. A day off is used for us to get better as a team and to play better. I've never really had that before."

The players aren't getting carried away by what they've accomplished, which is an obvious reflection of their battle-tested coach.

"I still think our motivation should be to improve and try to get better," Quenneville said. "I still think there's nothing to be satisfied (about). We haven't accomplished anything yet, so let's keep moving forward."

Little by little the Hawks are solidifying their playoff spot - they had a 9-point cushion after Friday's win - while keeping Detroit and San Jose in sight.

"You look at San Jose and Detroit, the two top teams in the conference, and we want to position ourselves where we'd like to move and close that gap," Quenneville said.

"We still feel there's a big pack after that and there's a little room there now.

"So let's try to push ahead and try to accomplish the next goal, which is something, whether it's this year or in the future, as an organization where we want to be. All of a sudden it's a different objective than it was."