The Blackhawks are hot right now, but they need to keep winning -- as most of the teams around them are doing. Their five-game winning streak has put them into a tie for sixth place in the Western Conference playoff standings, only two points out of fourth. But they also stand just five points ahead of the 12th place Columbus Blue Jackets.
Also, the Hawks have come very, very close to a long winning streak. Their last three losses are all by one goal and two of them came in shootouts. That bodes well for putting together a streak that might even get them back in contention to take the Central, although they're 10 points behind the Red Wings.
With Jonathan Toews carrying them and having some writers push his candidacy for league MVP, and with coach Joel Quenneville apparently having decided that Corey Crawford is the No. 1 goalie -- the right call, it would appear -- the Hawks might be able to put on a real run for the Cup again.
Tonight's game has an unusual starting time -- 8 p.m. CST -- and is on CSN Chicago.