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Blackhawks, Lalime blank Coyotes

Feb 28, 2008 - 6:12 AM By Rory Spears PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

CHICAGO (Ticker) - The Chicago Blackhawks couldn't make a big deal off the ice, but are still trying to be one on it.

Patrick Lalime stopped all 32 shots he faced and Jason Williams tallied 7:58 into the first period as the Blackhawks continued their late push for a playoff spot by defeating the Phoenix Coyotes, 1-0, on Wednesday night.

With the win, Chicago (30-27-6, 66 points) improved to 7-2-1 in its last 10 games and pulled within six points of the Nashville Predators (32-25-8, 72 points) for the final playoff spot in the West.

"Of course, the shutout is great," Lalime said. "The main thing is getting the two points, we need all we can get the rest of the way."

Lalime recorded his 35th shutout of the career and first of the season by stopping nine shots in the first period, seven in the second and 16 in the third.

"The guys in front of me were the key," Lalime said. "They let me see the puck all night long. As long as I can see the puck I have a chance to make the stop."

Williams, in just his fourth game back after missing almost three months with a sports hernia injury, provided the only offense in this one.

The 27-year-old recorded his ninth goal of the season after redirecting a pass from Dave Bolland past goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov.

"It was another pass from Bolland that hit me in the skates like his always do," Williams joked. "We just cycled the puck around and I didn't make a kicking motion - so the goal was allowed."

The Blackhawks missed an opportunity to increase their lead midway through the second period when they failed to convert a 5-on-3 advantage for 50 seconds.

With Marcel Hossa off for holding and Zbynek Michalek called for a delay of game penalty, Chicago took to the power play but Bryzgalov denied defenseman Brent Seabrook and Williams.

"We had some chances there," Williams said. "Bryzgalov was good there as he really was all night."

The Blackhawks' talented but injury prone star Martin Havlat left the game in the second period after re-injuring his shoulder.

Havlat injured his left shoulder in the season opener at Minnesota and missed the next 22 games. He sat out six games in late December and early January with a groin strain.

"The injury is in his shoulder area," Blackhawks coach Denis Savard said. "I won't speculate anymore and Marty will see the doctor (on Thursday)."

The Coyotes felt the game was decided early in the first period.

"They were better the first 10 minutes and that was the key," captain Shane Doan said. "It's too bad because our goalie played great but you have to give credit to Lalime. He was outstanding."

Blackhawks general manager Dale Tallon came up empty at the trade deadline, trying to add some punch to club. Tallon's efforts came up short on acquiring two-time All-Star defenseman Brian Campbell of the Buffalo Sabres, 2004 Conn Smythe Trophy winner Brad Richards of the Tampa Bay Lightning or Jordan Staal of the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Tallon was only able to swap Chicago's former first-round pick Tuomo Ruutu for Carolina's Andrew Ladd, a former first round pick of the Hurricanes in a minor deal.