* The Blackhawks beat the Red Wings, 3-2, in their last game
and finished up their regular season by taking at least one point from six
straight games overall (3-0-3 record). Chicago had a league-best 12-2-4 (.778)
record in its last 18 skates (since February 29).
* Chicago recorded its ninth 100+ point season all-time in 2011-12, and has now
made the playoffs four straight years overall. Since seeding began in 1993-94,
the Blackhawks have been a No. 6 seed one time prior - in 1994, when they were
bounced in the first round by Toronto (4-2).
* The Coyotes defeated the Wild, 4-1, in their season-finale and finished up
the 2011-12 campaign by winning 5-straight games by a combined score of 16-2.
Phoenix won its first division title in franchise history this year and has now
made the playoffs three straight seasons.
* Phoenix took three of four tilts with Chicago during the regular season and
is meeting the Blackhawks for the first time ever in the playoffs. The
Coyotes/Jets franchise hasn't won a postseason series since beating Calgary
(4-2) in the first round of the 1988 playoffs.
* Marian Hossa led Chicago in scoring this year with 77 points - the third
different team he's finished the season as the scoring leader (Ottawa in
2002-03 and 2003-04, Atlanta in 2006-07). Hossa has 93 points (35g, 58a) in the
postseason since 2002 - third most of any skater in the league.
* Including at least one point in each of the four games,
Ray Whitney had a team-high six points (2g, 4a) vs. the Blackhawks in 2011-12.
Whitney led the Coyotes in scoring this season (77) and at 39 years, 335 days
old on the last day of the regular season, became the fifth-oldest player
all-time to lead his club in scoring.
* Perhaps the hottest netminder in the league right now, Mike Smith led all NHL
goalies with 20 wins and six shutouts after the All-Star break. Smith is 4-0-0
with a 0.98 GAA in four career starts vs. Chicago.
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