Blackhawks

The Blackhawks spent the weekend donating four points to two charitable organizations: one team clawing to make the playoffs and one trying to impress for roster spots next year.

Now-former Blackhawks defenseman James Wisniewski is known as a screwball, as evidenced by the multitude of team promos and other unavoidable YouTube clips. He's also one of the tougher guys on the team, never backing down from a brawl, even if it means risking life and limb like with the serious knee injury he re-aggravated last season after scrapping with Nashville's Jordin Tootoo at the end of a game.

Handing out 10,000 hard hats might not be the brightest promotion at a sport in which fans are known to toss their headwear on the playing surface to celebrate the outstanding accomplishment of a player. And as luck would have it, Jonathan Toews' first career hat trick just so happened to occur on "Blackhawks Hard Hat Night" Friday against the Penguins.

Handing out 10,000 hard hats might not be the brightest promotion at a sport in which fans are known to toss their headwear on the playing surface to celebrate the outstanding accomplishment of a player. And as luck would have it, Jonathan Toews' first career hat trick just so happened to occur on "Blackhawks Hard Hat Night" Friday against the Penguins.

The Blackhawks' successful season has led to high expectations for a team brimming with youth and enthusiasm. An extended winter road-trip saw the Hawks go 8-4 and begin to challenge the reigning NHL champion Detroit Red Wings for first place in the Central Division.

Blackhawks 5, Lightning 3 At St. Pete Times Forum Tuesday Feb. 17, 2009

The Blackhawks returned to Chicago on Saturday following a grueling eight-game road trip. The travel weary Hawks responded to the sold-out crowd at the United Center with a 6-2 victory over the Dallas Stars, but at the cost of injuries to two key players.