Hats off to Byfuglien

The Blackhawks believe their future is more than just Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane.

Don't forget a guy such as Dustin Byfuglien, general manager Dale Tallon warned as recently as this week, and the 22-year-old defenseman showed why Friday night.

Byfuglien tied two team records with his hat trick in the Hawks' 6-1 rout of the Phoenix Coyotes at the United Center.

"He doesn't know how good he can be," Tallon said.

Byfuglien became only the third Hawks defenseman in club history to score 3 goals in a game, joining Dick Redmond (1977) and Doug Wilson (1991). His 2 power-play goals tied another record for defensemen, last done by Dave Manson in 1988.

"I guess that's an honor to be proud of," said Byfuglien, who also had an assist. "It feels good."

Byfuglien scored 3 straight goals -- a natural hat trick -- in the Hawks' 5-goal, first-period explosion that had the crowd of 16,234 roaring.

Hawks goalie Nikolai Khabibulin lost what would have been his first shutout with 7:57 to play, but the story was Byfuglien and the first period when the Hawks scored on their first 3 shots and 5 of 7 to chase Coyotes starting goalie Ilya Bryzgalov after less than 11 minutes.

"Everyone came out ready to go off the hop," Byfuglien said. "We kept shooting the puck, and everything was going in."

Tuomo Ruutu added 2 goals, snapping a 15-game drought. He opened the scoring 75 seconds into the first period and also tallied in the second period.

"I think the last time I scored was last season," Ruutu joked.

Toews got his 10th goal of the season at 3:57 of the first period and also had 2 assists.

Byfuglien scored at 5:01, then again at 10:14 and 10:30 on power plays as the United Center ice was littered with hats that were piled next to his locker after the game.

"I'll have to pick out a few good ones," Byfuglien said.

It gave Byfuglien 6 goals and the defense 20 for the year. Hawks defensemen scored 21 goals all of last season.

"They deserve credit for how hard they worked and how well the played," Coyotes coach Wayne Gretzky said. "To be successful at this level, your best players have to be good, and our best players weren't good tonight. Their best players were from the goal on out, and that was the difference in the hockey game. We didn't answer the bell."

The Hawks can feel the momentum building at home. They've now won five straight at the UC, where they play nine of the next 12.

"We want to try and separate ourselves from the pack," Hawks coach Denis Savard said. "If we do well, there's a chance we'll be able to do that."

The Hawks (14-9-2) are feeding off their fans, who are starting to fill the building again.

"It was good to see so many fans tonight because it gives us energy," Ruutu said.

"We have to take advantage of it, and it's only going to get better," Savard said. "The fact people are starting to come in now, that makes a difference to a player. They know and recognize that.

"Once we get this building filled up, and it's coming, I can see it. I know it's not Chicago Stadium, but it's still a great building."

Tonight's faceoff

Blackhawks vs. St. Louis Blues at Scottrade Center, 7:30 p.m.

TV: Comcast SportsNet

Radio: WSCR 670-AM

The skinny: The Hawks lead the season series 2-1, winning the last two games. The power play is 3-for-11 and the Hawks have scored 3 short-handed goals. Patrick Sharp had 2 short-handed scores in the Hawks' 3-2 win Nov. 3 in St. Louis. The Blues had won seven of their last eight games prior to losing 3-2 in overtime at Minnesota on Friday. Brad Boyes leads the Blues with 15 goals.

Player to watch: Patrick Lalime. He gets the start in goal for the Hawks after beating the Blues 4-2 on Nov. 9 in Chicago.

Next: Vancouver Canucks at the United Center, 7:30 p.m. Thursday

-- Tim Sassone