The Chicago Blackhawks, who began the season without a regulation loss in their first 24 games, clinched the Central Division on Friday with a 3-2 shootout win over the Detroit Red Wings.
The Blackhawks lead the Western Conference and the entire National Hockey League with a 31-5-4 record and 66 points.
The win also gives the Blackhawks the sweep of the season series over their Original Six rivals from Detroit, as per CSN Chicago.
“It means a lot,” Blackhawks goalie Corey Crawford told the Chicago Tribune. “We want to capture first place (in the conference). It has been game-by-game the whole year and we’re not going to change it now.
“We want to finish first and get home-ice advantage throughout the playoffs. This is a great building to play in and there’s a lot of energy when we play here.”
#Blackhawks' division title title is 15th in franchise history and first since 2009-10 season. Trying to remember how that season ended...
— Chris Kuc (@ChrisKuc) April 13, 2013