Blackhawks end mediocre home season with win over Dallas
In their Blackhawks' heyday - which was all of two years ago - they almost always took care of business at home.
From 2008-09 to 2016-17, the Hawks averaged 56.6 standings points and always won at least 24 games at the United Center.
It's been a different story of late, however, as the Hawks went 18-18-5 last season and 19-14-8 this season after closing out their home slate with a 6-1 victory over Dallas on Friday. They closed strong - going 3-0-1 in their last four games at the UC - but by then it was too late.
"We've got to be good at home," said Patrick Kane, who scored 2 goals against the Stars to up his season total to 44 and his point total to 109. "I think that's something that probably hasn't been as good as it should have been the past couple of seasons.
"It's still a treat to play here at the United Center. We always feel the fans have our back, so try to use that to our advantage next season even more."
Every team that qualified for the playoffs has at least 21 victories and 46 standings points at home. Most will finish with 50 points or more.
If the Hawks had turned just 3 of their losses into victories, they'd be tied with Colorado for the second wild-card spot heading into both teams' season finales Saturday.
"The top teams are pretty good at home," said coach Jeremy Colliton. "We want to reestablish that. I think everyone feels pretty comfortable here and excited to play, and we can use that - especially when the crowd's into it. That goes hand in hand with how you play - got to play better.
"(Then) home ice becomes a weapon."
Kane, Dominik Kahun, Chris Kunitz and Dylan Strome staked the Hawks to a 4-0 lead after two periods and sent Dallas to its first regulation loss in five games. Cam Ward replaced Corey Crawford in net, making 25 saves on 26 shots in 33:13.
Crawford, who injured his groin in the second period, will not travel to Nashville for the season finale. The Hawks called up Kevin Lankinen from Rockford.
Kunitz undecided:
Chris Kunitz, who scored his fifth goal of the season in the Hawks' win over Dallas, won't say for sure if Saturday's season finale at Nashville will also end his 15-year career.
"I don't want to make a rash decision," said Kunitz, who has won four Stanley Cup titles. "I want to sit back and reflect with my family and talk about where we're going to be.
"It's not all about myself anymore. (I've got) three kids who are getting up there in age that expect a lot from me to be around and sometimes it gets long for my wife being there by herself. So just trying not to be selfish about it."
Coach Jeremy Colliton started Kunitz against Dallas, along with Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, Duncan Keith, Erik Gustafsson and Corey Crawford.
Slap shots:
Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane and Alex DeBrincat are the first three Blackhawks to score 35 or more goals in a season since 1987-88 when Denis Savard (44), Rick Vaive (43) and Steve Larmer (41) accomplished the feat. … The Hawks paid tribute to Stan Mikita during a first-period break by showing a highlight montage on the scoreboard. All Hawks players saluted the former Blackhawks great after it ended. The Hawks have worn "21" patches this season as a tribute to Mikita, who passed away at age 78 on Aug. 7, 2018.