Blackhawks cool off the Ducks with 4
It started at the United Center and the Chicago Blackhawks hoped to end it at the arena.
The 'it' was the Anaheim Ducks' run of 18 wins in their last 19 games that began the last time the teams met on Dec. 6. The struggling Hawks set their sights on ending their recent run of mediocre play when they faced off against the Ducks on Friday night at the United Center.
The Hawks entered the game with just one win in their last five games and hoped to be bouyed by taking on the team leading the NHL -- and Western Conference -- with 77 points.
'It's a good test for us,' Hawks coach Joel Quenneville said. 'They're firing on all cylinders. They play a real strong team. They have a lot of assets in their favor. They're fast and big and quick. We'll have to be good in all areas.
'It could be our biggest test of the year to date,' Quenneville added. 'Let's welcome it.'
The Hawks' biggest task was shutting down Ducks forwards Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry, who had a combined 50 goals and 58 assists entering the game. They were the biggest weapons, but the Ducks had others.
'They're obviously a top team in the league, one we need to be ready to play our best (against) in our building,' Hawks winger Patrick Sharp said. 'They present a lot of different challenges. They're really big but they can all move and make plays. It's a tough team to match up against. What they're doing right now is pretty impressive.'
Corey Crawford started in goal for the Hawks and was opposed by Jonas Hiller.
Sheldon Brookbank returned to the lineup to serve as the Hawks' sixth defenseman while Michal Rozsival and Michael Kostka were scratches.
Twitter @ChrisKuc
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