Morning Box Score: Blackhawks Tame Wild

AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast

The Blackhawks have recently admitted that they an eye on the Western Conference standings. Currently in eleventh place in the standings and with only four points separating them from eighth-place Calgary for the final playoff spot, they need to focus on playing good hockey. Last night's 3-1 win over Minnesota was a good start. The Wild are just ahead of the Blackhawks in the standings in tenth place and every win versus an opponent above them in the standings can go a long way towards helping the Blackhawks earn the shot to defend the Stanley Cup.

Corey Crawford was excellent in goal last night, with 22 saves, while the Hawks got goals from Brian Campbell, Troy Brouwer and Jake Dowell. Coach Joel Quenneville was not at last night's game, still recovering from the undisclosed illness for which he was hospitalized yesterday.