Staff report
Riding the wave of two road victories to open the Western Conference finals, winger Patrick Kane said Wednesday that the Blackhawks can sense a growing vibe from a Chicago fandom hungry for a Stanley Cup championship.
"Yeah, ever since the outset, the beginning of the year, it's been like that. You can really feel it now," Kane said after the team arrived back in Chicago. "Especially coming back into town today, whether it's text messages or whatever it may be, just everyone is getting excited.
"We haven't accomplished anything yet, obviously. But we put ourselves in good shape with a good road trip out there, two big wins. We're feeling pretty good. Can't get too high on this game because San Jose is a great team, never know what can happen."
Riding the wave of two road victories to open the Western Conference finals, winger Patrick Kane said Wednesday that the Blackhawks can sense a growing vibe from a Chicago fandom hungry for a Stanley Cup championship.
"Yeah, ever since the outset, the beginning of the year, it's been like that. You can really feel it now," Kane said after the team arrived back in Chicago. "Especially coming back into town today, whether it's text messages or whatever it may be, just everyone is getting excited.
"We haven't accomplished anything yet, obviously. But we put ourselves in good shape with a good road trip out there, two big wins. We're feeling pretty good. Can't get too high on this game because San Jose is a great team, never know what can happen."
Asked about playing at home after winning seven straight road games, Kane said, "We're 7-1 on the road (in the postseason). You look at our
home record, we're 3-3, which is not good at all, especially in the
playoffs.
"It's going to be fun to play. We know how we want to play at home. Keep it simple, not give too big of a show ... whether it's the national anthem or just playing in front of a big crowd, you want to put on a show for them. That's not necessarily what we have to do. The biggest thing is playing a simple game like we have on the road.
"On the road, it's a little bit different. There's really no distractions. Everyone's with each other. You're all hanging out with your teammates. It's been really good for us as far as that's concerned, especially the way our team is. We really bond together really well. We're a young team. Everyone hangs out with each other.
"As far as home ice, we've been pretty good on home ice the whole year. It's just, you know, 3-3, obviously you want to be a little bit better than that. I think we can do some different things ... worry about hockey first instead of all the other things that are around here."
Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville sees plenty of benefits to being back home.
"That was a long road trip," Quenneville said. "Obviously, very productive. We're looking forward to getting home tonight, sleep in our own beds the next couple of days. I know we're excited about playing in the United Center come Friday. I am sure the building is going to be rocking. We're looking forward to that. I think it's important that we reestablish how we can take advantage of our home-ice advantage.
"It's playing a more simple game. We sometimes try to make one extra play and I think that can lead to the other team scoring the timely goal. That can be the difference.
"But we did some good things on the road. I think we should always keep that in the back of our minds going into games, that's a recipe for being successful."
"It's going to be fun to play. We know how we want to play at home. Keep it simple, not give too big of a show ... whether it's the national anthem or just playing in front of a big crowd, you want to put on a show for them. That's not necessarily what we have to do. The biggest thing is playing a simple game like we have on the road.
"On the road, it's a little bit different. There's really no distractions. Everyone's with each other. You're all hanging out with your teammates. It's been really good for us as far as that's concerned, especially the way our team is. We really bond together really well. We're a young team. Everyone hangs out with each other.
"As far as home ice, we've been pretty good on home ice the whole year. It's just, you know, 3-3, obviously you want to be a little bit better than that. I think we can do some different things ... worry about hockey first instead of all the other things that are around here."
Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville sees plenty of benefits to being back home.
"That was a long road trip," Quenneville said. "Obviously, very productive. We're looking forward to getting home tonight, sleep in our own beds the next couple of days. I know we're excited about playing in the United Center come Friday. I am sure the building is going to be rocking. We're looking forward to that. I think it's important that we reestablish how we can take advantage of our home-ice advantage.
"It's playing a more simple game. We sometimes try to make one extra play and I think that can lead to the other team scoring the timely goal. That can be the difference.
"But we did some good things on the road. I think we should always keep that in the back of our minds going into games, that's a recipe for being successful."
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