Hawks' trio knows Finals subject well

PHILADELPHIA - When the Blackhawks met the media in groups Tuesday at the Wachovia Center, somebody knew what they were doing by having John Madden, Andrew Ladd and Tomas Kopecky talk together.

They are the three Hawks with Stanley Cup rings who know what it feels like to play in the ultimate game and realize their dream.

Kopecky said playing in a Cup-clinching game requires more mental focus and attention to detail.

"I'm just going to prepare the same way I prepare for every other game, and maybe pay a little more attention to the details," said Kopecky, who won a Stanley Cup in 2008 with Detroit. "The first shift, you have to go shift by shift.

"You can't look ahead way too much in front of you. Just focus on the little things and the little battles. That's when the big things are going to come.

"This is why we play hockey, growing up, to win the Stanley Cup. When I was with Detroit, the memories that stay with you for the rest of your life. That feeling, it's unbelievable."

Madden experienced that feeling twice with the New Jersey Devils. He signed with the Hawks as a free agent last summer to be in this exact position.

"For me, it was no better feeling in hockey, that's for sure," Madden said. "The look on your teammate's face when you've all come together and accomplished your goals. There have been some trials and tribulations, so to speak. You've been able to overcome a lot and it's a real nice feeling to have."

Andrew Ladd won his Stanley Cup as a rookie with Carolina in 2006, playing for current Flyers coach Peter Laviolette.

"The group that we have and the players we have in the room and persons, it just makes the whole ride fun," Ladd said. "It's really been fun the whole way. If you can cap it off at the end by winning, it's just a special feeling you can't really describe."

This will be Madden's fourth Game 6. He was on the 2001 New Jersey team that had a 3-2 lead against Colorado and lost the final two games and the Cup.

"As far as being tricky, you know you want to take care of business when you can," Madden said. "You don't want to leave the chance for a Game 7. We have an opportunity (Wednesday night).

"All I can say is we have to be focused on that opportunity and not look at having another game to go to. You have to take care of business and treat it like it's an elimination game."

Madden knows the momentum the Hawks gained in Sunday's 7-4 win in Game 5 won't mean a thing once the puck is dropped Wednesday night.

"The one thing that everybody keeps forgetting is we did that in Game 5 and we have to go out and do it in Game 6," he said. "I think that's the part of refocusing and getting ready for our next game.

"We had a lot of success. We did a lot of good things in Game 5, but it's over with. We have to start all over."