Hawks looking to beat the best
When it comes to playing either Detroit or San Jose, the Blackhawks have shown they can hang in there with the two best teams in the NHL.
But after three 1-goal losses, one in a shootout and a second in overtime, Hawks coach Joel Quenneville thinks it's time for his young team to start believing it can beat anyone - even the Red Wings and Sharks.
The Hawks play the 17-4-4 Red Wings tonight at Joe Louis Arena.
"Certainly being close is not good enough, and I think we need to get to that next level," Quenneville said Friday. "But I still think you need to play better against those teams in order to have some success. Against those teams, close is not going to be acceptable at the end. We're looking to play that perfect and solid game against them."
In all three games against the Sharks and Red Wings, the Hawks had the lead in the third period. In their one meeting with Detroit on Oct. 25 at the United Center, the Hawks led 4-2 going to the third period, fell behind, rallied to tie, then lost 6-5 in a shootout.
"You love to play with a lead against those teams because they put you in that mode where if you try to force and create, they're even better," Quenneville said. "You have to be really alert against them."
The Red Wings have the second-best offense in the NHL (behind the Sharks) and are led by the three-headed monster of Henrik Zetterberg, Pavel Datsyuk and Marian Hossa.
It's Zetterberg and Datsyuk who have grown into Hawks killers, particularly when they have played on the same line.
Hawks center Dave Bolland likely again will draw the assignment of checking the slippery Datsyuk.
"They're two special players, and I guess if there's one thing, you've got to be patient," Bolland said. "If you run right at them they'll slip it through your legs or something like that. You've got to let them come to you. There are so many things those guys can do."
For a young team still learning how to win consistently, the Hawks are taking positive steps. They have victories over eight different Western Conference opponents, four of which made the playoffs last season in Anaheim, Dallas, Calgary and Colorado.
They haven't beat Detroit, but they did five times last season.
"They're a good team and you have to respect them. You just can't go out there and run around," Bolland said of Detroit. "You have to keep it simple, just get the puck in and not turn it over. We can play against them. We've been right there with them."
Cristobal Huet starts in goal, getting his first taste of the Hawks-Wings rivalry. This will be only the third time in Huet's career that he has faced Detroit, and perhaps the timing is right for something good to happen, coming off his 4-2 win over Anaheim on Wednesday.
"It was good for his confidence," Quenneville said. "Everybody loves to have some wins behind him. It's a challenging game for him, but it should be good for him."
• Nikolai Khabibulin wasn't ready to practice Friday but might participate in today's morning skate at Joe Louis Arena.
"He said he felt much better," Quenneville said. "He'll go on the trip and get some work (today). He's very, very doubtful for Sunday (against Phoenix)."
• With the Red Wings first in the league on the power play, the Hawks need to be on their best behavior.
"Careless penalties will come back to bite you against them," Quenneville said. "Their power play is extremely dangerous. They certainly have a lot of different options, a lot of different looks, and are extremely patient with the puck."