Ever been to a casino? Ever have the feeling of being on a streak hot enough to where you were able to take the money you walked in with, and stick it in your pocket?

That's playing with house money. That's what the Blackhawks are doing now.

They came into the playoffs with the third best record in the Western Conference, and they sit now as one of the top 2 teams in the Conference. By all rights, 3rd best goes home before the two big boys mix it up.

Now the Hawks are ready to mix it up with the other big boy.

Their season is already a success. It's like finishing a project ahead of time, there's a very calming effect that it has. The Hawks can now go out and skate knowing that anything that happens next is all gravy.

That's not to say they will be lackadaiscal. They've come from behind too many times in this playoff season to suddenly turn off their give-a-damn. They'll play hard, they'll play to win.

But, whatever happens, when this season goes in the books, they've exceeded expectations from all but the delusional or most hopelessy optimistic.

The last time the Hawks were here was back in 1995, which was pretty much their last hurrah, sliding the next couple years into non-playoff oblivion (save one season). This is a team having their very first hurrah, and it's a good one.

But at this point, whatever chips wind up on the table, the chips the Hawks brought in with them are in their pocket.

House money.