GAME OF THE NIGHT: Columbus Blue Jackets at Chicago Blackhawks, Wednesday, April 8, 2009, 830 pm ET

These two teams are heading to the playoffs, Chicago for the first time since 2002, Columbus for the first time since it entered the league in 2000-01. Well matched, well coached and always motivated in their rivalry, Hawks-Jackets games are as exciting as they are close: the last one, true to form, was a scoreless duel marked by spectacular goaltending. The season finale should not disappoint.

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Columbus at Chicago

8:30 PM ET, April 8, 2009
United Center, Chicago, Illinois

Blue Jackets-Blackhawks Preview

ESPN.com/Stats LLC

After 643 games and more than 8 1/2 years, the Columbus Blue Jackets are on the cusp of a franchise first.

Needing one point to clinch its first trip to the postseason, Columbus on Wednesday night will face the Chicago Blackhawks, who can clinch home-ice advantage in the opening round of the playoffs with a victory.

The Blue Jackets, who entered the league as an expansion team in 2000, are the only current NHL club that has yet to play beyond the regular season. Prior to 2008-09, Columbus had never tallied more than 80 points or finished higher than third in its division.

They're still in line to end up in the middle of the pack in the Central Division, but the Blue Jackets continued their postseason push Sunday when they gained a valuable point with a 1-0 overtime loss at home to the Blackhawks.

Though it comes into Chicago having lost two straight after regulation, Columbus (40-29-10) is sixth in the Western Conference and owns a two-point lead over Anaheim and St. Louis.

"This is what it takes for non-established teams to establish a territory in the league. This is what is takes to get in (to the playoffs)," said Blue Jackets coach Ken Hitchc0ck, a Stanley Cup winner with Dallas a decade ago. "There is a hell of a price to pay to get in. We're trying to teach guys how high the price is and we're getting a lot on the job training right now."

Columbus had 20 shots on goal against the Blackhawks, but Nikolai Khabibulin -- a Cup winner with Tampa Bay in 2004 -- posted his 40th career shutout.

Steve Mason, meanwhile, permitted fellow rookie Kris Versteeg's goal with 1:50 to play in the extra session as the Blackhawks took another step toward locking down the No. 4 seed and a matchup against either Vancouver or Calgary in the opening round of the postseason.

"That's a playoff-type game," said Versteeg, second among rookies with 51 points.

"The game was played very simply. Both teams really came out there and wanted that point."

Mason, a likely finalist for the Calder Trophy, is 1-1-1 with a 1.95 goals-against average against the Blackhawks in 2008-09. His only regulation loss to them was a 3-1 defeat in Chicago on Dec. 14

The Blackhawks (44-24-11) return to the United Center after helping out Columbus. They damaged Nashville's playoff hopes with a 4-2 victory on Tuesday.
Jonathan Toews and Dustin Byfuglien scored in the opening minute of the second period to erase a one-goal deficit, and Patrick Kane and Martin Havlat each had a goal and assist.

"I still think we have the motivation of knowing that we haven't accomplished our goals yet and I think that's pushing us," Chicago coach Joel Quenneville said. "It was a huge two points for us."

Khabibulin made 22 saves to improve to 4-0-0 with a 0.98 GAA this month. The league's reigning second star of the week, however, is 2-4-1 with a 3.69 GAA in seven home starts against the Blue Jackets since joining the Blackhawks in 2005.

Chicago needs one point to reach 100 for the first time in 16 years.

100 points great for the hawks ,the once taken for dead team is coming back ,pity the fans had to wait so long.Betman handed crosby to the pens so they wouldnt leave town but did nothing for this proud team,god i hate him :^:

top shelf15 wrote:100 points great for the hawks ,the once taken for dead team is coming back ,pity the fans had to wait so long.Betman handed crosby to the pens so they wouldnt leave town but did nothing for this proud team,god i hate him :^:

No worries...the Blackhawks have Kane, Toews and Keith...and the franchise is back as the Hawks are setting attendance records at the United Center.

For one who has been a fan since the Cup win in '61, it's all good...

:D:

davetherave wrote:

top shelf15 wrote:100 points great for the hawks ,the once taken for dead team is coming back ,pity the fans had to wait so long.Betman handed crosby to the pens so they wouldnt leave town but did nothing for this proud team,god i hate him :^:

No worries...the Blackhawks have Kane, Toews and Keith...and the franchise is back as the Hawks are setting attendance records at the United Center.

For one who has been a fan since the Cup win in '61, it's all good...

:D:

Stan the man looks good in that pic ,a lengendary beast in his day :D:

Here's what Sportsnet's Mike Brophy had to say about the Blackhawks in his online column today:

Win or lose, the Blackhawks are no flash in the pan. They have been built to be good not only now, but for a long time to come. Chicago's young one-two punch of Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane is as exciting a young duo as you will find in the league -- and that includes Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin of the Pittsburgh Penguins and Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry of the Anaheim Ducks.

High praise indeed.

The Blackhawks--and especially Toews and Kane--seem to be taking it all in stride. These young men show a maturity beyond their age. They knew the disappoint of missing the playoffs by just three points last year...so they've been very focused this year on just getting the job done. They know nothing will come easily, because other teams are taking them seriously.

Every game is a big game for them. When they are interviewed, you can see they recognize and appreciate their opportunity and are thankful for their fans' support.

Should be an excellent match tonight.
:D: