CHICAGO _ How have the Blackhawks been winning lately? Let coach Jeremy Colliton count the ways.
"We've come from behind in games, we've had really good starts in games," he said. "We've won in different ways and we've played some really good teams. There have been games when we've been under a lot of pressure and we've weathered the storm and found a way to win anyway. There have been games when we've carried the play and won.
"So I think that's part of what winning teams do: they find a way to win hockey games in different ways, and that's what we've done."
Monday's game against the Pacific Division-leading Flames at the United Center contained a little bit of everything. The Hawks fell behind early but they also had a really good start. They took a lead against a really good team and carried the play a good portion of the game.
But in the end, the Hawks couldn't find a way this time. The Flames' Johnny Gaudreau scored twice, including the winning goal on a breakaway 54 seconds into the third period that just slipped through goalie Collin Delia's pads, to pull out a 4-3 victory.
Every point is precious for the Hawks, who would have moved within four points of a wild-card spot with a win but are also burdened by having played the most games of any of the contenders.
Whether the Hawks are actually a contender remains to be seen, but they've been playing like they're capable of it for several weeks now.
The Flames took a 1-0 lead when a rebound off Delia's left pad went right to Johnny Gaudreau, who deposited it into a wide open net for his 25th goal of the season.
Another pad save from their own goaltender nearly helped them double the lead. Flames goalie David Rittich kicked out a slap shot from Brandon Davidson that went past center ice, where James Neal picked it up for a breakaway that Delia denied.
Patrick Kane is frequently called a magician on the ice, and he appeared to have pulled off some kind of magic trick while scoring his 24th goal of the season.
Skating down the right boards, Kane took a pass from Artem Anisimov then passed it to himself through his legs. Just as he was about to move beyond the goal line, he lifted a soft backhander that was somehow able to bank off Rittich's shoulder and into the top of the net.
While 21,036 fans celebrated, Kane focused on one of them. His dad just happened to be sitting behind the Flames' net and Kane was able to skate past and see him cheering just before his teammates arrived in celebration.
"Kind of celebrating there with my dad in the crowd," Kane told NBC Sports Chicago during the first intermission break. "Cool moment. He travels a long way to see the games, it's fun to see him get excited."
Alex DeBrincat's one-timer from Kane gave him his 20th goal of the season and the Hawks a 2-1 lead that lasted much of the second period. But the Flames' Sean Monahan scored a power-play goal with 1 minute, 18 seconds remaining.
