The Chicago Blackhawks used a sizzling start and a fantastic finish to capture the Presidents’ Trophy for the first time in 22 years.
Patrick Kane had a goal and two assists, and the Blackhawks clinched the NHL’s best record on Wednesday night with a 4-1 victory over the Edmonton Oilers.
The Blackhawks (35-6-5) held off the Eastern Conference-leading Pittsburgh Penguins for the top regular-season record in the NHL.
Jonathan Toews, Patrick Sharp and Johnny Oduya also scored for the Blackhawks, who have gone 10-1-2 in their last 13 games and assured themselves of the NHL’s best mark for the first time since 1991.
The NHL’s largest audience for a hockey game in 2008.
In 2008, the NHL introduced the Winter Classic at Ralph Wilson Stadium and many sports writers scoffed that the gimmick would be unsuccessful as the NHL would take on college football’s day. The game itself garnered plenty of interest as Sidney Crosby’s shootout winner passed through Buffalo goalie Ryan Miller’s legs and unexpectedly drew a 5 share, 2.6 rating and 3.8 million viewers. The NHL found itself a hit and now it plans to add 5 more outdoor games for the 2013-2014 season. Is it going to saturate the product or expand audiences?
