The two games before the Blackhawks' Christmas break were more the exception than the rule.
The Hawks lost one-goal decisions to the Senators and the Avalanche after building a Western Conference-best 49-point total on the basis of a 13-5-5 record in one-goal games. The 13 victories are the most in the NHL.
A lot of those wins have come thanks to the Hawks' play in the third period, in which they have scored 35 goals and allowed just 21. The latter number also ranks first in the league.
To the Hawks, those statistics are not flukes.
"It comes with the culture with this team," defenseman Brian Campbell said. "They've done it for so long. How many times do you watch games and they find ways to win?
"It's ingrained in everybody as soon as you walk in this locker room that you're going to find ways to win or get that goal. It's kind of like an aura."
Veteran winger Jordin Tootoo, in his first season with the Hawks, said the team's leadership helps create that culture, enabling the Hawks to withstand pressure situations.
"There's a standard way of playing, and it's all a workmanlike attitude around here," Tootoo said. "This is our job, and it's not about wondering what's next. It's about being present, being in the moment. The leadership group really sets the standard there, and it's a trickle-down effect."
The Hawks have four victories and two overtime losses when trailing after two periods. Their 10 points when trailing after two are tied for third in the league. They have gotten a lot of help in that department from Marian Hossa and Artem Anisimov, who have combined for 10 game-winning goals.
"It's hard to explain it," Campbell said. "It's so ingrained and happens so much that in the pressure situations, these guys continue to thrive."
Added center Marcus Kruger: "If we get one, two goals down ... we still feel like we can score. And late in games, pulling the goalie, we've proven that a lot of times. We don't want to be in those situations, but we've proven we can come back."
The Hawks have not lost when leading after two periods, another statistic that is a point of pride. They have preserved leads thanks to sound third-period defense and good goaltending from Corey Crawford and Scott Darling.
"This team has played in a lot of big games, so the bigger the game, the brighter the star for some of these guys," Campbell said. "We're comfortable playing in those situations. We're comfortable waiting to get our goals if that's the case in close games. We're just finding ways to win."
And at the most opportune times.
