Loss helps Hawks turn tide

ST. PAUL, Minn. - The Blackhawks didn't win Tuesday at St. Louis, but coach Joel Quenneville thought that effort against the Blues laid the groundwork for Wednesday's 4-0 win over the Wild that snapped a three-game losing streak.

"I thought we trended (Tuesday). I thought we turned the tide coming off two disappointing games," Quenneville said. "Be it energy, pace and frustrating losses maybe because we're expected to win, we didn't play with the urgency that was needed.

"I didn't mind the way we played (against the Blues). But (Wednesday) our focus and preparation was comparable and eventually it's going to turn."

The Hawks' next test is to do it again tonight against a very good Devils team at the Prudential Center.

"We've got to continue to work and not worry about too many things in here," Brent Seabrook said. "It's nice to get that win out of the way, but even (Tuesday) night I thought we worked and battled."

More Niemi: Joel Quenneville said there was a "good chance" Antti Niemi would start against the Devils.

Ya think?

Niemi has three shutouts in his last seven starts.

"He was big," Quenneville said. "We're going through a tough stretch right now and we're looking to get some momentum built in our team. He was big and looked quick. He hasn't had many back-to-back games and it was nice to see him handle it well."

The 4 saves Niemi made during a Minnesota 5-on-3 power play in the second period with the Hawks leading 2-0 was a deciding factor.

"He played unbelievable for us," Tomas Kopecky said.

Passing the belt: Tomas Kopecky's teammates wouldn't let him talk to the media after scoring 2 goals in Wednesday's win until he draped the wrestling title belt over his shoulder.

The belt goes to the game's hardest-working player after wins. The last winner passes it on.

"We started a new tradition, but I think everybody deserved it," Kopecky said.