Hawks have reason to be happy at home

There's a connection between the Blackhawks and their fans on and off the ice that started the second half of last season.

It's a big part of the reason why the Hawks are 13-1-4 at the United Center with four of the next five games to be played there leading up to the all-star break.

The Hawks' only loss in regulation at the UC came on Nov. 16, when they dropped a 6-5 decision to San Jose. Since then they are 7-0 including Sunday's 3-1 win over Nashville when the Hawks needed a lift after a week on the road.

"Having big crowds this year, everything is so lively," goalie Nikolai Khabibulin said. "Guys seem to have a lot more energy at home. The crowd definitely helps give us that extra adrenalin."

The Hawks have sold out all 19 home games at the United Center and lead the NHL with an average attendance of more than 22,500. The UC just might be the toughest road rink for opponents these days with the juiced-up Hawks usually coming quickly out of the gate.

"For the most part we've had good starts at home all year," Khabibulin said. "When you have a good start it gives you a better chance to win."

"Our crowds have been great all year," Camp Barker said. "We love to play at home, especially in those black uniforms."

The Hawks started quickly in Sunday's win over the Predators, pleasing coach Joel Quenneville, who was upset with his team for its poor first period in Saturday's loss at Nashville.

"It was a better all-around effort," Quenneville said.

The Hawks had Monday off after a stretch that saw them play four games in six days, going from Phoenix to Dallas to Nashville to Chicago.

Duncan Keith admitted after Sunday's victory that the Hawks were a tired team, which Quenneville acknowledged.

"I think we're aware practicing and then recognizing it was five games in eight nights," Quenneville said. "It was a dangerous game for us, the first game back after a long trip, and I liked the response. We'll have the day off (Monday), but we still have a busy schedule going into the all-star break.

"We always manage and gauge when to back off, maybe on practice, or going into games."

With their favorable home schedule leading up to the break, the Hawks know there are valuable points there for the taking as they try to solidify a playoff spot.

"These are important points, and it's going to be good to be at home," Khabibulin said.

• The Winter Classic at Wrigley Field was the most viewed NHL regular-season game in 34 years, drawing an audience of 4.4 million.

That was an increase of 17 percent over the ratings for the 2008 Winter Classic between Buffalo and Pittsburgh in Orchard Park, N.Y.

A 1975 regular-season game between Philadelphia and the New York Rangers drew 5.4 million viewers.

• Rockford goalie Corey Crawford was named the American Hockey player of the week Monday after stopping 95 of 97 shots in three appearances. Crawford went 2-0-1 with a 0.67 goals-against average and .979 save percentage.