7 big comments from a special Hawks season

That was quick, huh?

And fun, to boot.

The Blackhawks began an abbreviated season with a bang, putting together a record streak of 24 straight games without a loss in regulation. And they ended it by going 36-7-5 and capturing the Presidents' Trophy.

In between it was all about Toews, Kane, Hossa, Crawford, Emery and just about any player on the roster leading the way in a simply amazing regular season.

But before the second season begins, let's take a quick look at some of the key games along the way.

Jan. 19 Blackhawks 5, Kings 2Marian Hossa didn't waste any time showing the rest of the NHL that he was fully recovered from the concussion he suffered last April in the playoffs, scoring 2 goals and adding an assist as the Blackhawks crashed the Los Angeles Kings' never-ending Stanley Cup banner-raising party at Staples Center.#8220;It's huge for him to start with 2 goals,#8221; Hawks captain Jonathan Toews said of Hossa.Jan. 20 Blackhawks 6, Coyotes 4Marian Hossa remained hot by adding another 2 goals to lead the Blackhawks past the Phoenix Coyotes in the first meeting between the two teams since the first round of the playoffs last April. But it wasn't all good news. In his first game back in about a year, Daniel Carcillo limped off the ice with a knee injury. #8220;It's unfortunate that he finally gets back and had 10 great minutes. I thought he looked very good on that (top) line,#8221; Hawks coach Joel Quenneville said of Carcillo.Jan 30 Wild 3, Blackhawks 2 (SO) You knew the Blackhawks weren't going to go 48-0.Their franchise record six-game winning streak to start the season came to an end, but at least they left the Xcel Energy Center with a point. Zach Parise and Matt Cullen beat Corey Crawford in the shootout, while Patrick Kane and Patrick Sharp failed after Jonathan Toews opened with a goal.#8220;We were this close again and had a great chance to win in overtime and even the shootout and just came up a bit short,#8221; Toews said.Feb 22 Hawks 2, Sharks 1Brandon Saad's third-period goal made it 17 games without a regulation loss for the Hawks #8212; setting the NHL record for the best start to a season. The Hawks (14-0-3) broke a mark set by the 2006-07 Anaheim Ducks, who earned points in their first 16 games.#8220;It's nice to get another win and make history,#8221; Saad said. #8220;Our group's had a great year so far, so we never expect anything less.#8221;March 8 Avalanche 6, Hawks 2If you're going to end a streak, you might as well do it in a big way, and that's just what the Hawks did in Colorado as their 24-game streak ended with a thud. The Avalanche at one point scored five straight goals, including 4 in the second period, to end the misery early.#8220;They found different ways to win, night in and night out, and everyone contributed to something that hadn't been done,#8221; Joel Quenneville said of his club. #8220;Certainly it was a lot of fun ... up until today.#8221;April 7 Hawks 5, Predators 3With the way they started the season, it was simply a foregone conclusion the Hawks would make the playoffs, and with their second win over Nashville in two days they did just that #8212; becoming the first team to clinch a postseason berth.Brandon Saad and Jonathan Toews scored 55 seconds apart midway through the third period to seal the deal.#8220;We obviously wanted to stay in the spot we're in the standings,#8221; Toews said, #8220;but first and foremost, our No. 1 goal coming in every season is we want to make the playoffs.#8221;Mission accomplished.April 24 Blackhawks 4, Oilers 1Courtesy of their win in Edmonton, the Hawks (35-6-5) held off the Penguins for the top regular-season record in the NHL to capture the Presidents' Trophy. It was the first time the Hawks earned that hardware since 1991.#8220;The start of our year really put us in a great spot, but the consistency has been there, as well,#8221; Quenneville said. #8220;I congratulate the guys, they deserve what they got.#8221;HKN18072281For the second game of the shortened NHL season, Patrick Sharp (10) scored a goal against Phoenix Coyotes goalie Mike Smith in Glendale, Ariz. Phoenix knocked the Hawks out of the 2012 playoffs, but Chicago won this rematch 6-4.Associated PressHKNHKN29412179After six straight wins to open the season, the Blackhawks were beaten 3-2 in a shootout by Minnesota. Center Andrew Shaw (65) scored on this play in the Jan. 30 game at St. Paul, Minn. The Hawks salvaged a point, though, to continue their streak of unbeaten games in regulation.Associated PressHKNNo Sales24011942The bench gives Chicago Blackhawks left wing Brandon Saad a hand after Saad scored the second goal in the third period during the BlackhawksÂ’ 2-1 win against the San Jose Sharks at the United Center on Feb. 22. The win gave the Hawks the NHL record for the best start to a season and a 14-0-3 mark.George LeClaire/gleclaire@dailyherald.com No SalesHKN34532813On March 8, the Hawks finally lost a game in regulation. The Colorado Avalanche beat the Blackhawks in Denver, 6-2, thanks to four straight goals in the second period.Associated PressHKNHKN29252041On April 7 against Nashville, the Blackhawks became the first team to clinch a berth in the NHL playoffs.Associated PressHKNHKN15251754The Hawks clinched the Presidents' Trophy on April 24 when they defeated the Edmonton Oilers. Here Blackhawks' Johnny Oduya and Patrick Sharp celebrate a goal. Associated PressHKN