Chippy play in Friday's forecast

After the flurry of fisticuffs in the final moments of Game 2 in San Jose, it's unlikely the Western Conference finals regain a genteel nature when the Blackhawks and the Sharks stage Game 3 on Friday night at United Center.

"The first game was a lot harder, just more finesse," Hawks center Dave Bolland said. "As the second game came on, it was more chippier.

"The next game could come on more chippier. We'll just see how it goes."

Hawks coach Joel Quenneville isn't worried about his team's level of physicality in Game 3. He's more concerned about his team's level of sophistication.

When the Hawks flubbed Game 5 of the Western Conference semifinals against Vancouver, one purported cause was the team's preference to be too fancy.

"Sometimes I think at home," Patrick Kane said, "whether it's the national anthem or just playing in front of a big crowd, you want to put on a show for them. That's not necessarily what we have to do."

That's why Quenneville plans to emphasize the KISH method: Keep It Simple, Hawks.

"I think the simplicity in our game really complements what we're doing to be effective," he said. "Don't have to create too much. I think we sometimes try to make one extra play, and I think that can lead to the other team scoring the timely goal."

Home sweet home: The prevailing question for Blackhawks players since the playoffs started has been why in the world hasn't the team played better than their 3-3 record at home?

That line of questioning didn't stop when the Hawks arrived back in Chicago Wednesday afternoon.

Is it more pressure? Lack of team bonding? Outside influences?

Yes, yes and yes.

"I mean there's a lot of expectations from family and friends; people want to be a part of this whole thing," Hawks captain Jonathan Toews said. "When you're on the road, it's just you and the guys. In that way, it's a little bit easier.

"But no one's looking at that as an excuse."

Just looking for a way to transfer the success on the road to the United Center ice.

"We've been pretty good on home ice the whole year," Patrick Kane said. "It's just, you know, 3-3, obviously you want to be a little bit better than that.

"I think we can do some different things, worry about hockey first instead of all the other things that are around here. That's probably the biggest thing - still hanging out with your teammates, still doing the same things, but worry about hockey first."

Ratings game: According to reports, Game 2 of the Blackhawks-Sharks Western Conference finals on Versus drew a 10.93 household rating in the Chicago area, the Hawks' highest cable ratings of the playoffs.

"I guess that's always a pretty cool stat; you like hearing those stats," Patrick Kane said. "It was fun to see when I was playing in the Olympics, U.S. vs. Canada, there was a big number (highest-rated hockey telecast since 1980).

"You hear those different things and it makes it exciting for you knowing you're trying to help grow the game. This helps a lot."

He said it: Hawks captain Jonathan Toews on whether checking into a downtown hotel and playing video games like they did have on the road might help the Hawks at home: "It could be one solution (laughter)."