Blackhawks can take game even higher

Q. Are you among the believers that the Hawks are playing their best hockey of the year; that they can't play any better?A. No, I think the Blackhawks still have more to give. That's not to say that they haven't been excellent - they have been.San Jose has had some great scoring chances, and I think the Hawks still need to clean up some things within their own zone. Antti Niemi has been spectacular, but you don't want to rely on your goaltender as much as they have to make a difference in the hockey game. You also have some guys who are trying to find their groove offensively. If you get those guys involved, there is still another level to be taken.Q. How crucial is the way the Blackhawks start Friday night? Is that the key?A. It's one of them. You're in a position to really put San Jose in a bad predicament and you certainly don't want to give them any life and let them do exactly what the Blackhawks did in San Jose - come out strong and silence a very vocal crowd. If you're San Jose you look at the past record and what has happened at the United Center. They believe that a fast start is something the Blackhawks might have trouble dealing with from past history and the postseason already.Q. You've played in a series where you went up 2-0 on the road. How hard is it to get up for that Game 3 at home?A. My memory going back to those days is kind of fuzzy (laughs). You have to remember that San Jose is a very good hockey team and even though you won those two games, they're probably going to put their best foot forward like something you haven't seen in the first two games.Expectations are high coming into Game 3, and I think Blackhawks players have seen what can happen if there is a letdown emotionally and mentally. And I think they're in a position to deal with it a little bit better. Their mind-set has to be when you're in a position like this, you can't let the San Jose Sharks have reason to believe.Q. Just how good has Dave Bolland and his linemates been at shutting down San Jose's top line?A. I've been in that position before as a centerman going up against the other team's top line, and you do what you need to do to make the other centerman and other line feel uncomfortable. Dave Bolland has done an excellent job and ... his line has chipped in offensively as well.You can hear Troy Murray's analysis on every Blackhawks radio broadcast on WGN AM-720. Friday's game, however, will be broadcast on WIND AM-560.