BY MARK SPECTOR
sportsnet.ca

CHICAGO — Not a lot remained the same when the Blackhawks made the switch from the old Chicago Stadium to the cavernous United Center.

The old pipe organ was too big to move, and it was sold to a buyer in Arizona. Though the actual organ sits in some rich guy’s Arizona home, the pipes were lost in a warehouse fire.

One thing that did survive the trip however, was the anthem experience. It doesn’t matter how many hundreds of anthems you’ve sat through, experiencing the Star Spangled Banner here in Chicago is always special.

"Certainly gets your blood flowing," said Vancouver centre Kyle Wellwood. "I’m not American, but whenever the crowd gets going like that, you definitely feel an extra surge of energy, a buzz."

All teams speak well of their crowds, but for the most part, one playoff crowd is no different from the rest.

Chicago is the exception, however, and as such it is the rare dressing room where the topic of "keeping the crowd in the game" comes up more than anywhere else.

"We know we have to be better tonight," Patrick Kane said at Monday’s morning skate. "Getting our crowd into it is the biggest thing. When our crowd is into it we’re into it."

Seriously, these guys are pros. Can it really be any different here than elsewhere?

"I think so," offered Wellwood. "They’ve got a young, dynamic team that really tries to make more plays when the crowd gets into it. They feel more confident with the puck. When you take the crowd out of it and there’s a bit of a lull in the game, their legs are a little slower, I think."

•••

Veteran Blackhawks winger John Madden isn’t into Knute Rockne pre-game speeches. Even before Game 2, when the Blackhawks clearly require a superior effort than in Game 1.

"If you have to say a big speech before you play a playoff game, then you’re not ready anyways," he said. "If you don’t understand that right now, you’re not ready. You shouldn’t be playing."

Madden, who is pushing 800 NHL games played, was brought in this season to help guide a young ‘Hawks dressing room. He played nine seasons in New Jersey, where he learned from the best.

"I was very lucky," he said. "I had guys like Scott Stevens, Ken Daneyko, Randy McKay…Claude Lemieux, was very, very vocal in the dressing room, and helped me along when I was young. He put things in perspective. ‘Compete as hard as you can. It’s all you can ask for. The results will take care of themselves.’ That’s the point I try to get across (to the younger Blackhawks).’"

And the message for Game 2?

"Each man competing on every shift," he said. "Start to win some battles and get some momentum on our side. We didn’t feel like we played a good game at all on Saturday. We’ve gotta stand up and come ready to compete."

•••

At the morning skate, it didn’t look like Joel Quenneville would make any line changes from Game 1. With Roberto Luongo going almost untouched in Game 1 however, you’ve got to wonder why Dustin Byfuglien isn’t playing on the wing with Kane and Jonathan Toews.

And for that matter, why isn’t big Ben Eager banging and crashing on the fourth line? He was a healthy scratch in Game 1.

Luongo, for one, expects heavier traffic in the low slot tonight.

"You’ve got to fight for your space in front of the net, when the bodies are there. You’ve got to find a way to make the save," he said. "It’s a matter of establishing my position, not getting in battles with guys. Getting out there, establishing position so you’re prepared for the shot. Once something develops in front of you, you’re in a position to find it."

Hockey’s oldest adage has changed somewhat over the years. Where in the ‘70s they said "Run the goalie!" today it is all about "establishing net presence."

Personally, we found the old way to be much more exciting, but Alain Vigneault certainly expects a greater "net presence" from Chicago tonight.

"There was an emphasis made on that prior to the season, that (the officials) were going to do the best they could to protect the goaltenders and we expect that to continue," he said. "Obviously we have to do a good job in front of Roberto so that he can see the shots. Usually what he can see he stops."

•••

An interesting point made by Henrik Sedin Monday morning, on the different treatment he and Daniel get because they’re twins. He was asked how he was able to keep producing earlier this season when Daniel was hurt.

"That wouldn’t be a question if we weren’t twins," he said. "If Toews was out, I don’t think you’re asking Kane those questions."

You could argue that Henrik’s Hart Trophy nomination might not have happened if Daniel hadn’t been injured, as voters have such a difficult time choosing between the two. It’s not fair, but it might be reality for the Sedins.

"Yeah," said Henrik. "Which is strange because (Nicklas) Backstrom in Washington, it’s not the same questions even though he has the same amount of points (as Alex Ovechkin). That’s the way it is. We’re twins and we’re treated that way. There are both plus and minuses to it."