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CHICAGO -- Chicago Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville wasn’t pleased with forward Bryan Bickell after a shift during the third period Tuesday, and Bickell heard all about it when he returned to the bench.

Bickell sat there and accepted the criticism. He knew he’d get another chance on the ice and planned to redeem himself.

“I know Q wasn’t happy with me on one shift in the third and gave me a little wrist slap, but he threw me back out there,” Bickell said. “He has confidence in our line and knows what we can do.”

Bickell and the third line rewarded that confidence by putting together the game-winning goal, which was finished by Bickell, to defeat the Minnesota Wild 2-1 in overtime in Game 1 of their first-round playoff series.

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CHICAGO -- In a season where Chicago Blackhawks forward Patrick Kane hasn’t had the luxury of skating with consistent linemates, he has been more consistent than anyone offensively on the Blackhawks. His linemates have often changed from game to game, but he’s continued to rack up points and still ranks among the league’s leaders in goals and assists.

“I’ve always been a guy who doesn’t think it matters who you play with,” said Kane, who leads the Blackhawks and is tied for fourth in the NHL with 51 points. “I think as long as you’re working hard, you’re supporting each other, trying to make the right plays and simple plays, you’re going to have success. That’s what I’ve tried to stress to either one of my linemates.”

Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville’s plan entering the season was utilize Kane alongside Patrick Sharp and Dave Bolland on the second line. Quenneville has been able to execute that plan in just 18 games. Because of various injuries, Sharp and Bolland have combined to miss 28 games.

In their place, Quenneville has mixed and matched a variety of linemates with Kane. Kane has started games with 10 different pairings and skated with nine different players on the second line.

Aside from the 18 games with Bolland and Sharp, Kane has started nine games with Bolland and Jimmy Hayes, seven games with Sharp and Marcus Kruger, three games with Bolland and Kruger, two games with Kruger and Daniel Carcillo, one game with Bolland and Michael Frolik, one game with Bolland and Carcillo, one game with Bolland and Bryan Bickell, one game with Sharp and Andrew Shaw and one game with Bolland and Viktor Stalberg.

Despite all the changes, Kane’s play hasn’t fluctuated. He’s recorded a point in 33 of his 44 games this season. He once went three games without a point and once two games. Other than that, he’s bounced back six times with a point after not having one the game before.

Kane has had two eight-game point streaks and another of five games. He had 10 points in seven games in January, 14 points in 13 games in February, 18 points in 14 games in March and currently has nine points in 10 games in April. He started April off slow, but has registered five points in his last three games.

“I think there’s been some injuries obviously to both of my linemates,” said Kane, who has 21 goals and 30 assists. “There’s been certain guys who have played well in those roles, certain guys I have kind of clicked off with. I know it’s changed a little bit, but for me, personally, just try to work hard, find my game where it was at the beginning of the season and get back to that level.”

Quenneville has been impressed with Kane from the start of the season to the end of it. Quenneville recently said he thought Kane and Jonathan Toews were worthy of Hart Memorial Trophy consideration.

“I think all year long he’s been productive,” Quenneville said of Kane last week. “That line has a lot of different looks on it be it your centerman, be it your left winger. He’s played [with] some different [lines.] He keeps doing his thing.

“It seems like he’s got the puck a lot. He’s a threat. He gives the opponent something to be concerned about when he’s on the ice. When you got that 1-2 punch [in lines,] I think that makes us a different type of team.”

CHICAGO -- The Chicago Blackhawks had gone so long without scoring a power-play goal their coach couldn’t even remember when the last one occurred.

Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville can be forgiven for his inability to recall it. Their last power-play goal didn’t even happen in the month of April. He would have had to gone back to March 29 against the Anaheim Ducks to locate it.

But after a nine-game drought and 0-for-19 scoreless streak, the Blackhawks finally broke out of their slump by scoring a power-play goal on their first opportunity Friday and later added another power-play goal for the game-winner to defeat the Nashville Predators 5-4 at the United Center.

“It was good,” Quenneville said. “The power play did some good things. Obviously the finished product is what we’re looking for. Our 4-on-3 [overtime power play] looked good as well. It was a long time coming. We were talking about it when we scored after the first period, ‘When was the last time we scored on the PP?’ It seemed like a long, long time ago. It was nice to see to get that off our back.”

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Viktor Stalberg talks about his play and the team's upcoming schedule after Sunday's practice.

CHICAGO -- If Chicago Blackhawks forward Bryan Bickell had his choice between hitting or scoring, he would always opt to nail an opponent against the boards.

Bickell can’t help that. That’s just who he is.

“You know I’m a big guy,” the 6-foot-4, 233-pound Bickell said recently. “I like to bang and have some fun on the boards and get the fans into it, which gets me into the game, too.”

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CHICAGO -- Here’s a quick look at the Chicago Blackhawks' 4-3 overtime win over the Columbus Blue Jackets at the United Center on Friday.

How it happened: Blackhawks defenseman Brent Seabrook scored the game winner off a pass from Jonathan Toews in overtime. The Blue Jackets tied the game at 3-3 when Ryan Johansen scored with 7:37 remaining in the third period. The Blackhawks scored consecutive goals within 59 seconds in the second period. Patrick Sharp scored the first on a backhanded shot from the left circle at 17:20, and Bryan Bickell followed up by scoring at 18:19. Viktor Stalberg had the Blackhawks’ other goal in the first period. Chicago goaltender Ray Emery improved to 9-0-0 on the season.

Player of the game: Bickell had a goal and five hits in the win.

What it means: The Blackhawks extended their NHL record points streak to start a season to 21 games. They also have an overall points streak of 27 regular-season games, which dates back to last season. They rank behind the 1977-78 Montreal Canadiens (28 games) and the 1979-80 Philadelphia Flyers (35 games). Chicago is now 18-0-3 with an NHL-best 39 points on the season. The Blackhawks had their 200th consecutive sellout at the United Center.

What’s next: The Blackhawks travel to face the Detroit Red Wings on Sunday. The Blackhawks won their first meeting 2-1 in overtime in Chicago on Jan. 27.

CHICAGO -- The Chicago Blackhawks were in position to finally have their consecutive points streak snapped on Monday.

They were playing their third game in four nights and coming off a 2-1 win over San Jose Sharks on Friday and a grueling 1-0 victory against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Sunday. And the Edmonton Oilers arrived with a day’s rest and the confidence of knowing they defeated the Blackhawks three times last season.

“I think these guys were ripe for the picking,” Oilers forward Jordan Eberle said after the game. “They had their second game in two nights. We could have easily beat them.”

But the Oilers, like everyone else this season, couldn't beat the Blackhawks in regulation.

The Blackhawks had to dig deep Monday, but they twice rallied from a one-goal deficit and forced extra time with a third-period goal by Viktor Stalberg. Then Marian Hossa provided the game-ending goal for a 3-2 overtime win to extend their NHL-record points streak to 19 games to start the season.

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CHICAGO -- Here’s a quick look at the Chicago Blackhawks' record-setting 2-1 win over the San Jose Sharks at the United Center on Friday.

How it happened: The Blackhawks broke a 1-1 tie in the third period when Brandon Saad scored a shorthanded goal at 2:24. The Blackhawks’ penalty kill showed throughout Friday’s win why it’s been among the league’s best this season. The Blackhawks killed off all four of the Sharks’ power plays. Patrick Marleau gave the Sharks a 1-0 lead with a goal in the final minute of the opening period. Blackhawks winger Viktor Stalberg tied the game with a goal in the second period. Blackhawks goaltender Ray Emery made 26 saves and improved to 7-0-0 on the year.

Player of the game: Saad has scored just three career goals, but they have all been memorable. His shorthanded goal Friday proved to be the difference for the Blackhawks and helped them make history.

What it means: The Blackhawks set a new NHL record for consecutive games with a point to start a season as they extended their points streak to 17 games. They were previously tied with the 2006-07 Anaheim Ducks. The Blackhawks improved to 14-0-3 and a NHL-best 31 points.

What’s next: The Blackhawks continue their seven-game homestand with the Columbus Blue Jackets on Sunday. The Blackhawks have two games remaining on the homestand.

GLENDALE, Ariz. --Here’s a quick look at the Chicago Blackhawks’ 6-2 win over the Phoenix Coyotes on Thursday night:

How it happened: After Jamal Mayers got the obligatory fight with Raffi Torres out of the way, the Blackhawks went to work on the scoreboard, netting four goals in the opening 20 minutes, and never looked back. They scored twice with two-man advantages, as the Coyotes took five minor penalties in that opening period. The Hawks were deadly with their finishing touch, as Patrick Kane (twice), Dave Bolland and Viktor Stalberg hammered home goals in the first. Patrick Sharp had assist on three straight tallies. They kept it going in the middle period, with tallies from Jonathan Toews and Bryan Bickell. Toews’ goal was a thing of beauty, as he juked defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson, then beat Mike Smith -- who was pulled after giving up six. The rout was on.

The fight: The game was only 2:35 old when Mayers and Torres exchanged punches -- in the least surprising aspect of the night. Torres skated near the Hawks bench, and when Mayers jumped over for a line change it was on. It was a fierce but rather quick battle, with both sides landing several punches. Decision: a draw. Torres did score a goal late in the third period.

What it means: The Hawks got their retribution on Torres for his hit on Marian Hossa in last season’s playoffs and, in the process, reminded Phoenix this isn’t the 2012 postseason. The Hawks put up 12 goals in two games in Glendale this season, improving on their incredible start to the season as they moved to 9-0-2. It was a dominating offensive performance, with the Hawks outworking the Coyotes, then finishing on their chances.

Stat of the night: The Hawks have scored 12 goals on Coyotes goalie Smith this season, in less than five periods of hockey. It’s the same amount they totaled in six games last postseason, including five tilts that went into overtime.

What’s next: The Hawks complete their road trip in Nashville on Sunday, looking for at least a point in every one of the six they’ve played away from home and, subsequently, at least one point in every game staged this season.

CHICAGO -- Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Corey Crawford admits he’s felt pretty good protecting the net so far this season.

But despite that positive feeling, Crawford isn’t allowing himself to get too confident. He knows how quickly a streak can change for a goalie. He’s experienced the ups and downs like anyone at his position.

While the unpredictable bounce of a puck or a whistle-happy officiating crew can lead to the demise of a goaltender on any given night, Crawford does have a plan going forward to best maintain his own consistency. He’s going to treat every game the same.

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CHICAGO -- Ask Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Duncan Keith who his team’s next opponent is and he might not be able to answer it. Same goes for goalie Corey Crawford, and, more than likely, a few other Hawks as well.

One key to Chicago’s franchise-record 6-0 start -- especially in this 48-game shortened season -- is a tunnel vision approach to each day. The Hawks are focused.

“I don’t think we’re looking ahead,” Keith said Sunday after scoring a goal in the Hawks' 2-1 OT win over Detroit. “I don’t even know who we’re playing next or when the next game is. We’re doing a good job of staying in the moment and taking it game by game.”

It’s about the only way to explain an unexplainable start to the season. Six games in nine days after a five-day training camp with a roster that just weeks ago was spread out over several continents.

“Commend the guys,” Hawks coach Joel Quenneville said. “Johnny [Toews] conditioning or skating the guys before going into it. The guys who were playing overseas, the attitude, the approach.”

It doesn’t hurt that everything that went wrong a year ago has turned itself around in the early going. Once again, special teams helped the Hawks to a win on Sunday. Keith’s power-play goal got them going on offense in the first period, but it was penalty killing that shone for them. Six kills, including four straight in the second period, was a key to the win. Down two men during that time frame didn’t help matters in the fatigue department -- but the Hawks held strong.

“I’m not gassed, but I am looking forward to my day off. I’ll tell you that much,” Keith said.

And that’s what makes the streak even more impressive. It’s hard to win six in nine days at any point in any season. Two have gone to overtime and the past four have been nail-biters, with the Hawks winning each by just a goal. That’s more than good fortune at play; that’s a singular focus on each game as it comes.

“Guys were in good shape coming into camp, and we got off on the right foot,” Viktor Stalberg said after assisting on the game winner. “We’re finding ways to win.”

Stalberg and Nick Leddy played sparingly on Sunday due to the high number of penalty kills, but when they were needed in overtime -- while others were fatigued -- they came through with the game-winning goal.

“[The schedule] wears on anyone, but we’ve stuck to our system and done a great job,” Leddy said.

If anyone had a singular focus to the start of the season, it’s Crawford. Claiming he needed to prove he was worthy of staying the No. 1 goalie, he has done just that. He saw a team in front of him on Sunday that was gassed from mid-game on, which meant they needed him even more. He delivered and was awarded the No. 1 star of the game.

“We were just focused on the first game of the season. And after that one was done you kind of erase it and get ready for the next one,” he said. “That seems to be the mentality of the whole team.

“Everyone is just going about their business.”

And the proof of that is a franchise record six straight wins to start the season. A day off is the least they’ve earned.

CHICAGO -- Here’s a quick look at the Chicago Blackhawks’ 2-1 overtime win over the Detroit Red Wings at the United Center on Sunday.

How it happened: The Blackhawks continued their winning ways when defenseman Nick Leddy scored on a pass from Viktor Stalberg with 2:13 left in overtime. Duncan Keith provided the Blackhawks an early goal when he scored on a power play at 2:24 of the first period. It was the Blackhawks’ seventh power-play goal of the season. After the two teams went scoreless in the second period, the Red Wings tied the game with a goal by Johan Franzen at 4:30 of the third period. The Blackhawks’ penalty kill came up big in the win. The Blackhawks denied the Red Wings on all six of their power plays. The Blackhawks have allowed one power-play goal this season.

Player of the game: Blackhawks goaltender Corey Crawford allowed just one goal and made 29 saves in the win. He improved to 5-0-0 on the season.

What it means: The Blackhawks set a franchise record Sunday by winning their sixth consecutive game to start the 2013 season. With a 6-0-0 record, the Blackhawks are four games short of tying the NHL record of consecutive wins to start a season. The record is held by the 1993-1994 Toronto Maple Leafs and 2006-2007 Buffalo Sabres.

What’s next: The Blackhawks might forget what home is like by the time they return to it. Their next six games are on the road because the United Center is being occupied by a Disney On Ice show from Jan. 30-Feb. 10. The Blackhawks will travel to Minnesota, Vancouver, Calgary, San Jose, Phoenix and Nashville. Their next home game will be Feb. 12.

CHICAGO -- Here's a quick look at the Chicago Blackhawks' 3-2 win over the St. Louis Blues at the United Center on Tuesday.

How it happened: After relying heavily on their offense for their first two wins, the Blackhawks knocked off the Blues thanks to their play on both ends of the ice Tuesday. The Blackhawks scored a goal in each of the three periods, and the defense and goaltending took care of the rest. Patrick Kane, Brent Seabrook and Viktor Stalberg each scored goals in the win. The Blues scored both of their goals in the third period. They cut the Blackhawks' lead to 3-2 with 5:08 remaining, and the Blackhawks' defense and goalie Corey Crawford kept the Blues out of the net the remainder of the game.

Player of the game: A shutout continued to be elusive for Crawford, but he was on top of his game otherwise. He held the Blues off the scoreboard for the first two periods. He made 31 saves and improved to 2-0 on the season.

What it means: The Blackhawks have won their first three games to start a season for the time since the 1972-1973 season. The Blackhawks began that season with four consecutive wins. They also continued to own the Blues at the United Center. It was the Blackhawks' eighth consecutive win over the Blues in Chicago.

What's next: The Blackhawks hit the road again after their victory. They travel to face the Dallas Stars on Thursday and then head off to meet the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday. Eight of the Blackhawks' next nine games are on the road.

CHICAGO -- There had been a lot of talk about improving the Chicago Blackhawks' power play over the first three days of practice.

On Wednesday, they began to do something about it.

Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville devoted a majority of the more than 30 minutes of morning practice to the power play. Quenneville expected to spend even more time on it during the team’s controlled scrimmage on Wednesday evening.

On Wednesday, one five-man power-play line practiced against a four-man penalty-killing line on one end of the ice, and two other lines practiced at the other end. The two groups took turns going live to allow the coaches to watch them individually.

Jonathan Toews, Marian Hossa, Andrew Shaw, Brent Seabrook and Duncan Keith made up one power-play line, while Patrick Kane, Patrick Sharp, Viktor Stalberg, Dave Bolland and Nick Leddy made up the other.

Quenneville said he liked what he saw on both ends Wednesday.

“We like the movement,” Quenneville said. “They got the chance to move it around with one another. We were establishing point shots, and having that net-front presence was noticeable.

“But I think the initial just getting the shot through, creating some uncertainty, the puck retrievals was something that was noticeable. The pace of the practice is something I think the guys felt a sense of urgency that you need on the power play, don’t just assume that. I think that attitude was there. The execution was good, as well.”

The Blackhawks ranked 26th in the NHL with a 15.2 power-play percentage last season. They scored 42 goals on 277 opportunities. Hossa scored a team-high nine power-play goals, and Sharp and Bolland each had seven.

The Blackhawks ranked fourth with a 23.1 power-play percentage during the 2010-2011 season and 16th with a 17.7 percentage during the 2009-2010 season.

Sharp said he wasn’t too focused on last year’s power-play struggles because the Blackhawks have exceeded in that area in the past.

“I really haven’t looked back at the power play, to be honest with you,” Sharp said. “It’s over with. It’s done. I’ve been here for a lot of years; our power play has always been among the league leaders. Last year, obviously, it wasn’t.”

“But that’s an issue I’m sure we’re going to be talking every day with [the media] about and be working internally in the room,” he said. “It’s an important part of the game. We want to make sure we score on it.”

The one change the Blackhawks are making this season is putting Shaw and Stalberg in front of the net. Quenneville hopes their presence can be an annoyance to opposing goaltenders.

“I think both guys are capable of being that disruptor or distractor in front of the net with a quick stick,” Quenneville said. “Not only tip pucks, but make the goalie’s challenge seem to find it.”

CHICAGO -- Without any preseason games to prepare the Chicago Blackhawks for their season opener on Saturday, Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville has designated Wednesday as a simulated game day.

The Blackhawks will hold a morning skate at the United Center at 10:30 a.m. and will return to the arena for a controlled scrimmage at 7 p.m. Seven players from the Rockford IceHogs are expected to make the trip to add to the scrimmage’s numbers.

“It will simulate a game day, and we get to scrimmage against one another, get to play real hockey and get a real chance to play on our power play and get into some penalty-killing situations and faceoffs,” Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville said after Tuesday’s first practice at the United Center. “You get some bumps, and you get the feel of a real game because we don’t have a real game to get into the start of our season.”

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