Blackhawks Close in on Hottest Start in NHL History

The Chicago Blackhawks have executed excellent team hockey to stay unbeaten in their first fifteen games of the season. (Rob Grabowski)

On Sunday afternoon, the Chicago Blackhawks defeated the Los Angeles Kings by the score of 3-2. Ray Emery made 25-of-27 saves and Jonathan Toews picked up a goal and assist in the win. The win pushed the Blackhawks' record to 12-0-3 on the season.

This means that they have now earned up at least one point in 15 consecutive games to start the season. The Blackhawks are now one point short of tying the record of 16 straight games set by the 2006-07 Anaheim Ducks. They will have an opportunity to tie the record when they host the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday night.

The Blackhawks have found their success comes from working well together. They are averaging 3.2 goals scored and 2.1 goals allowed per game. The solid goaltending combination of Emery and Corey Crawford has been imperative to the team's success as well.

"Absolutely, goaltending is key," said Chicago head coach Joel Quenneville said. "Goaltending is important to everything about your team: the confidence it has, the consistency, not changing the way they approach times in games. Having the right demeanor is important, and both guys have done an excellent job."

As much as the Blackhawks have enjoyed their strong start to the season, they know that is not their ultimate goal. They have remained calm and collect about the possibility of making history, especially team captain Jonathan Toews.

''We're 15 games into the season,'' said Toews. ''What's important to us is getting home ice advantage, making the playoffs. Those are our goals. Once you get there, the real season starts. When you get to that point, no one really cares or remembers those streaks at the start of the season.''

After becoming Stanley Cup champions in 2010, the Blackhawks have suffered first-round exits in the playoffs each of the past two years. This Blackhawks team looks different though. They look capable of not only making history, but of being a serious contender to lift the cup again this season.